SOUTH OTAGO'S TURN

Evening Star, Issue 25301, 9 October 1944, Page 3

SOUTH OTAGO'S TURN

! METROPOLITAN SIDE BEATEN FAST AND LIVELY GAME (From Our Correspondent.) The South Otago Rugby Union brought the 1944 season to a close on Saturday, when the return match between a Dunedin metropolitan team and South Otago was played at Balclutha. The weather was fine, but a fairly strong wind prevailed. The Balclutha Pipe Band was in attendance and played the teams on to the field. The Otago Rugby Union was elso well represented, and the attendance was over 1,500, the gate takings being about £136. In the previous match, played in Dunedin, the town team won 11-6, but on Saturday the country team reversed the position and came out winners by 19 points to 14. The game was a most interesting one to watch, and the South Otago players were definitely the better in all departments. There were some flashes of bright back play on both sides, while the forwards played with dasn right through. South Otago had the wind in their favour in the first spell, and quickly 6ct up an attack. After about five minutes' pley J. Haig broke away and passed to Bowmar. the latter scoring wide out. L. Haig converted with a. beautiful kick. South Otago 5, Metropolitan 0. The town pack then hroke away, but Murray stopped the rush. Shortly alter Paterson won a race for the ball and touched down near the posts. Murdoch converted, and the scores were 5-b with 10 minutes gone. It was not long before South Otago were again on the visitors' line, and L. Haig went over. He converted his own try. South Otago 10, Metropolitan 5. Play was now very fast, and South Otago were getting the ball and were pressing hard. J. Haig came round on the blind side, and in ensuing play J. McNab scored. The kick failed. South Otago 13, Metropolitan 5. Metropolitan backs were seen in a good movement, but South Otago soon returned to the attack. Gray was doing good work on defence. J. Haig and Hughes were prominent, and town had to force. Towards the end of the spell South Otago put on the pace and the two Haigs went close to scoring, Currie snapping up brilliantly to go over wide, out. Forrester missed, and half-time went wirh the scores: South Otago 16, Metropolitan b. On resuming the visitors set the pace, but the defence was sound. The town backs now turned on some great passing, the bail going right out to Johnson, to Skinner, who scored a fine try at the corner. Murdoch missed. South Otago 16, Metropolitan 8 Town were now holding the advantage, and Peterson scored a grand try. Murdoch missed.' South Otago 16, Metropolitan ll South Otago now livened up and had town defending, Currie, Shand, and Hughes showing up. J. Haig and Hughes then gained ground, and the movement was finished off by Shand, who scored wide out. Forrester missed. South Otago 19, Metropolitan 11 South Otago kept on attack for a while, but Murdoch and Johnson showed up and the latter was nearly over. The tackling of the home backs was deadly, however, and this prevented town from making much headway. South Otago were penalised about halfway, and Scandretb*kicked a great goal from about 45yds out. South Otago 19. Metropolitan 14. Play was now very fast. The defence of both sides was sound, and tune went with no further score. Mr i\V. Caldwell was referee. As a curtain-raiser Crescent and Clutha juniors met in the final of the grade, and Crescent won 9-6.