SOUTHLAND’S BIG WIN

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 August 1930, Page 3

SOUTHLAND’S BIG WIN

t OTAGO BEATEN 37 TO 5. SPECTACULAR, R UGBY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Aug. G. Southland’s hold on tlie Ranfurly Shield was strengthened to-day when the team decisively defeated Otago by 3/ points to -5. This is Southland’s most con vincivictory over the sister province, whose team, however, was i not at lull .strength. The game was played in line weather, though rain during the night had made the ground somewhat, heavy, and it became a trille greasy ;ts play proceeded. The Southland forwards played magnificently and were well supported by the backs, by whom most of the tries were scored. Southland dominated the first spell, when Otago seemed unable to hold the vigorous pack, whose vim and dash had diminished but little in the closing stages. After the interval Southland early asserted its super iority, and with the exception of rare occasions were hammering away at the Otago line. The backs also showed to advantage and delighted the crowd with some spectacular bouts of passing. Otago was seldom seen on attack. but the team went down gamely to a vastly superior team. On today’s showing the Southland pack will lire,sent formidable opposition to challengers for tlm shield. Otago kicked off and immediately gained an advantage, which was quickly turned into a position of defence when Southland heeled from the ruck and the hall was shot out to Geddes on the wing. He put in a- fast run before passing in-liehl. The movement was carried on to the Otago twentylive, where Southland was pulled up for an infringement. Play swung back to the other .side of half-way, from where the first thrill came. Passing between the Otago backs was intercepted, and the ball went to* Porter, Southland centre, who cut clean through before passing to Diack. The latter made a great run for 40 yards to score behind the posts. Player converted. The shield holders continued to press and from right in front of the goal Sharpe narrowly missed with a pot. Sharpe (Southland) was injured and had to leave the, field, being replaced |by Webb. Otago set up an attack and ' Lindsay punted to a gap, but Norris was there first and with a speculator removed play to the Otago side of half-way. Otago was soon back on the offensive and was awarded a free kick some distance out in front of the posts, hut Lindsay just failed to goal. Southland held the upper hand in .succeeding play and the forwards carried the hall over the line but were beaten bv an Otago player in the touch-down. The challengers were allowed little respite, for the home’ forwards launched a hot assault, and after Galt, C. George and McKenzie had handled the hall the last-named scored. Diack kicked a fine goal. Almost immediate- j Iv afterwards Otago was compelled to f force. Southland at this stage was havinsr much the better of the srarae.

J A scrum was ordered almost beneath itlie posts, and the home forwards pushed the defenders across the line and were awarded a try. Diack failed !to goal from an easy position. HalfI time then sounded. 1 CLEVER. COMBINED WORK. A f ieri resuming, the Otago hacks opened out in a bout of passing which took them to Southland's isicle of halfway, hut they were soon back defending. Porter shot the ball out to Diack. who heat his man before passing to Geddes, who raced across to score a fine try. Diack converted, the | scores then being: Southland 18, Otago nil. The home backs swung into action from a. line-out, and the crowd was on its toes. Diack again cut in [ cleverly, paving the way for a try bv | Webb. Diack made no mistake with ’ the kick. Southland was getting all over the Otago forwards, playing with great l vim. Two of their offensives wore’) pulled up by Faulks marking in the! face of the oncoming pack. From halfway Niven showed out in a splendid dribbling movement. He heat the defence, but was unable to touch down. Otago then launched an attack, and when a high kick was missed Lindsay secured and scored in a handy position. The same player converted. The Southland backs opened out in the Otago twenty-five, and Diack threw a long pass to Geddes. The winger failed to field it cleanly, hut had time to recover and dash across for a try. Diack’s kick hit the post. Holaen was feeding his hacks well, and they were seen in several promising actions, from one of which another try was scored, Geddes outpacing the opposition and crossing at the corner. Diack's kick went outside the post. Southland did not let up, and within a few minutes Otago had to force. Passing among the Otago backs shifted operations to midfield. Within 15 minutes of time Southland scored another try, O. George going over for Diack to goal. Otago launched an attack and readied the Southland twenty-live as a result of a bout of passing. The final try was spectacular. Norris fielded an Otago kick and ran past several opponents before passing to Diack. who transferred to Webb. The winger proved too speedy and touched down at the corner. Diack failed to goal, and the game ended with the scores: Southland 37 —Otago 5.