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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 214, 24 August 1931, Page 2

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WALLABIES ▼. OTAGO FIRST MATOH OF TOUR. A SODDEN GROUND Dunedin, Aug. 22. In the first match of the tour the, Australian team was lueky to draw with Otago at Carisbrook to-day, the final score being three pointe all. The Otago forwards overwhelmed the opposition, while the greasy ball and sodden ground prevented the Australian backs, who showed great speed, from opening out in passing. Immediately following the kick off Australia rushed play to the Otego line, the Blues being compelled to force in * hurry from a drop out Tho Australian becks opened out ia a passing rush but Giles cut off a pass and broke through and a try seemed certain when he threw the ball away and the chance was lost. Otago worked play back and the Blue forward! Mt up a seriei of attacks on the Australian line, but Boss, who was playing brilliantly, saved time and again with judteiona kicks, to find touch at length. Towers broke away in a fine run which carried play into the Otago territory, thia being the second time after 15 minutes play, that Australia had been outside their own half. The Otago forward! were soon back in the Australia twenty-five, where Bush missed twice with penalty kicks at goal. Hargcll headed a Blue forward rush, which went past Ross, but Towers earns back and kicked the ball over the line and out of play.

BATHGATE NEARLY ACROSS. From the resulting scrum Bathgate dashed round on the blind side end was nearly across, being pulled down at the corner. A minute later Simon was almost over and play swung across field, where McKenzie received the ball from Finlayson at the side of the scrum and was pulled down just before he reached the line. Australia was forced again, but once more Bush placed Otago on the attack with a kick which went into touch at tho corner. Australia was unable to lift the pressure. Cavanagh picked up in the loose at the side of the scrum and threw out a long pass to Fookes, who kicked through; Giles and McKenzie were on it like a flash and dribbled over the line, McKenzie beating several Australians to More, Bush’s kick was interfered with. For the remainder of the spell Otago were almost continually on the attach, several rushes by both backs and forwards just failing to cross the Australian line, Ross doing a tremendous amount of saving. THE SECOND HALF.

The opening of the second spell ssw Otago once more on the attack, Horn and Allan leading a forward rush to the Australian twenty-five. Malcom came round the blind side of the scrum and passed to Blair, who ran tp Bush but threw his pass forward ana spoiled a promising movement. Once again Otago returned to the attack and Lucy waa almost across following a passing movement among the forwards. The Australian forwards now livened up somewhat and forced the Blues back from the scrum. Malcolm sent out to Cowper, who kicked through. Following up fast Cowper got to Bush as he was picking the ball from the ground and kicking it out of the latter’s hands, piehed up and sent on to Towers, who raced across. The kick at goal failed. Following a desperate attack by the Otago forwards, Towers cut clean through Otago’s back line and ran to Bush before kicking, the ball going into touch at the corner. From the line out the ball came to Towers, who struck hard for the line, but Bush brought him down with a heavy tackle. In the closing stages of the game, Otago were attacking desperately, but the Australian defence was very sound and the game ended without further score. Mr J. Oughton was the referee. THE SOUTHLAND TEAM. Invercargill, Aug. 22. The following will represent Southland against the Australians on Wednesday:—Porter, Geddes, Creebic, Townsend, Grant, Niven, Usher, Donnelly, C. George, Southern, Purdue, Mattingly, Metcalfe, Murphy and Agnew.