WELLINGTON DRAWS WITH OTAGO TOURISTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 August 1949, Page 8

WELLINGTON DRAWS WITH OTAGO TOURISTS

WELLINGTON, August 21 (P.A.) .— Playing its best game of the season, Wellington drew, 9-all, with the touring Otago team at Athletic Park on Saturday, scoring one try and two penalty goals to three penalty goals by Otago. The day was fine, but a strong northerly wind made accurate handling difficult, and there were many dropped and forward passes. As a result, play was generally without finish, and was further slowed down by the regularity with which both sets of backs, particularly Otago ’ in the second spell, used the line both on attack and defence. In all, there were 96 line-outs, Wellington winning in a ratio four to three.

Two forwards who showed out in the loose were Lunn (Otago) and Simmons (Wellington). Simmons, who played on the back of the scrum, weighs little more than 12 stone, but his speed and intelligent anticipation more than compensate. Otago had the advantage of the wind in the first spell and led at halftime by 9 points (two penalty goals by Bell and one by Perriam) t 0,3 (a penalty goal by Phillips). In the second spell, Mullin scored a try for Wellington and one minute before full-time O’Callaghan made the score 9-all with another penalty goal. Win For North Otago NELSON, August 21 (P.A.).—The North Otago Rugby team touring the Seddon Shield districts beat Golden Bay-Motueka by 16 points to nil at Motueka. The visiting forwards had an advantage throughout. Tries were scored by K. Nuttall, H. Gilgour, and A. Ross. Two tries were converted by Halverson, who also kicked a penalty goal. Auckland’s Sixth Victory AUCKLAND, August 21 (P.A.).— After having the better of the first half, Southland’s touring Rugby team was beaten by Auckland by' 21 points to 16 at Eden Park yesterday. It was Auckland’s sixth consecutive victory of the season. Auckland’s points came from tries by McLean, Taylor, Smith, Andrew, and Sweet. Sorenson converted three tries. For Southland, McCaw, Eade and Inder scored tries. Webster converting two tries and kicking a penalty goal. South Canterbury Beaten WANGANUI, August 20 (P.A.).— Wanganui >beat South. Canterbury by 13 points to 3 in a hard, clean exhibition of Rugby here today. Wanganui gained a feast of the ball from scrums, lineouts, and rucks, but the South Canterbury defence kept the score down. For South Canterbury, D. O’Reilly scored a try. Wanganui scored three tries, two of which were converted. Lower Grade Teams To Play Canterbury The Junior Advisory Board selectors 'have chosen the following fifth, sixth, and seventh grade teams to represent the West Coast Rugby Union in matches against Canterbury at Christchurch on Saturday week: — Fifth grade.—Hendry, Grenfill, Algar, Hyndman, Mayell, Tainui, Lark, Stewart, Inkster, Thelin, Henry, Mallock, Greenslade, Herring, Sterling. Emergencies Harrington, Cooper, Patterson and Hughes. Sixth grade.—Negri, Thorpe, Sadler, Ashton, McLaughlan, Bell Kennedy, Bellis, Gooch, Logan, Ashton, Montague, Mason, O’Brien, Routhan. Emergencies: Havill, McNaughton, Dawson, Jamieson. Seventh grade.—Wotton, Davenport, Burley, Morris, Eathborne, Negri, Fraser, Kennedy, Quinn, Stanton, Ellie, McNee, Inkster, Joyce, Stopforth. Emergencies: Wallis, McLaughlin, Beans.