CANTERBURY BEATEN IN MUD SCRAMBLE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 August 1933, Page 2

CANTERBURY BEATEN IN MUD SCRAMBLE

Wellington's Forwards Rise to the Occasion SOUND BACK PLAY IMPOSSIBLE | WELLINGTON, Last Night. The touring Canterbury Rugby team was > defeated by Wellington at Athletic Park on Saturday by 14 points to 1 6. Following heavy rain all the previous day and overnight, the groun 1 was in a greasy condition, but there was no rain during the play, except for five minutes after the opening of the second spell. Canterbury were favoured with ;■. strong southerly wind in the first spell, but they "did not exploit it nearly enough, confining their attack, mainly to their forwards, who nit't more than their match in the Wellington pack. Under the conditions sound back play was almost impossible, though one or two backs on either sir!.rose superior to the conditions, notably Mortlock and Dunshca (Canterbury) and Killecn and Robins (WellingtonJ. After a good beginning, Wellington lost its dominant position in the forwards for the greater period of the first spell, but once they got the weather behind them, they were almost continually on the attack. It was not a day . oil which tha" merits of any team could be accurately judged: Wellington played' soundly, both.'back and forward, and many''of the young players 'in the -Canterbury team gave • promise of developing good Rugby form and.should; mould into a 'sound'side ."by-the -time -, the more';,? j-m*. port-ant Ranfurly Shield" "fixtures come up for decision. As .was only, to-be expected under the conditions, several of the points'scored wlere of ,a lucky variety. Robins opened the scaring for Wellington'with "a" gift, .try after Hart had failed to. connect with a speculator; and Hazeihurst • evened the score with a penalty goal, in which ,a .liajdjryj.,decision for ..obstruction- by MpLearr'.was sOnrewhat - i«v Canterbury-went into tin* lead, with the best movement of the day. w.heh. Andrews jind; Cottrell open-, led-up a.-fine .movement for !score.... were leading at ■half-time !>v (5 to 3.

Soon after the opening of the scion d spell. Fuller evened the scoros tHth a penalty goal. De.llabarea put ••■Wellington ahead with -a try t'roni a ypiy fine solo effort from half-way, FulleV converting. ~ Dellabarca scored again from a loose rush, making the fin-i! score 14-6. f> • Southland Too Good for Otag-o losers; backs lack penetrative POWER USTVERCAEGTLL: Last Xiglir The first of the season's home-nnd-home Rugby matches, .between Otago and Southland, was played here on Saturday afternoon and won by Southland by 23 points (five tries, four converted) to five. The weather was line, but a cold south-westerly blew throughout. The ground was heavy but the ball dry. The attendance was nearly 8000.

Southland fielded a strong, virile pack of forwards, who were supported by a capable set of backs. Their forwards, however, were beaten in the scrums, <ind had to rely on other means to secure possession, but although thv Otago backs got a fair amount of thy ball, they completely lacked penetrative powers and failed to gain ground. In the first spell Otago plaved with the wind and sun behind them, but preferred to pass across the field, in-

stead of: punting.. Tlic\ visitors played better after the interval and for a short period wore on top. but Southland rallied again and were making all the play at the finish. Southland opened smartly and from a scrum in the Otago twenty-live they gained possession, and McKay scored in the corner within a few minutes of the start. Porter kicked a great goal into the wind. Otago hooked from a scrum near half-way. but the passing was broken up by the Maroon forwards, who sent the ball to the backs. Geddes was speeding for the line when he was upset by McSkimming. Purdue headed the Southland pack to Otago territory, and from a ruck the ball was shot out to the back. The opposition was caught out'of position and Grant scored at the rear of the posts. ' Porter goaled. The Southland forwards continued to hold the upper hand and after hard scrummaging in front of the Otago goal the defenders forced. Sharp beat the defence and passed to Grant, to McKay, w.ho ran round behind the posts. Porter goaled. Southland were leading 15-nil at half-time. Southland opened the second spell with a lively offensive and were nearly over twice in five minutes. Uttley had Southland in trouble when he broke through and kicked over thelinc, but a force-down resulted. Otago now .had Southland defending stoutly, and from a line-out Gibson dived across. Service goaled. Otago were right on the Southland line when Sharp broke through, and passing among the backs and forwards went the length of the field, McKay scoring near the posts. Porter goaled. Otago were more, than holding their own, but could not break through. Southland scored again_ when ..their bricks were given possession;! .fr,om a scrum, Mitchell going over at the end of a passing ,ruah.j<'aftcr_ handling for a second time-f fPol'ter, failed to goal. Southland were -throwing the ball about in Krig.ht pa«sing-in the concluding stages and were attacking when the bell went, ■/.Southland 25, Otago 5. Marlborough Not Impressive UV.'-.#•■: '" ■***■ 'BEATEft B TEAM , ; .. • Last Night. The'Otago" B team'lieat Marlborough at Carisbrook on Saturday by 21 to six. Tile' visitors were not impressive, two tries were scored off tli&Lr\6^pon"onts', mistakes. Otago were* leading first, spejj, -but the second was more .dven, each,'side scoring, a try..' For Otago tries were scored by Niven, McSkimming, Hamilton, Jones and Bol,ton, -MeSkinunirig," 'converting three. Both of Marlborough's tries were scored by-"Robinson.'

West Coast Walk Over Golden Bay GREYMOUTH. Last Night. West Coast J4~>) defeated Golden B"iv (?>) in a Seddon Shield match, the visitors being outplayed .throughout. Try-getters ""for the .Coast were Taafe (?,). Schroder (2), Fong, L. Hughes, L. and M. Scandrett. Eight goals, two penalties, were kicked by Martyn. Douglas got the visitors' try. To Play Against Qflnterbury

The following will represent Manawatu against the Canterbury touring team at Palmerston 'North on Wednesrlay next, being the same as that which represented Manawatu versus Horowhenua on Saturdav last:—McKay, Strange, Bramwell, Elliott, H. Ormond, Gillespie, Metcalf, Waldin, McClelland, MeKenzie, Mitchell, Cooper, Higit, Summers, Eade.