RUGBY FOOTBALL

Lake County Mail, Issue 15, 3 September 1947, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Country Goes into Lead

Queenstown Backs Break Away

Country Wins Cup Play-off

HARD FORWARD GAME

In a special play-off between Queenstown and Country Rugby teams played at Frankton last Saturday, Country scored 13 points (three tries, two converted) to Queenstown’s three (a penalty goal) to win in convincing style both the Wakatipu Sub-union Cup and the Teacher’s Cup. The game which settled down into a hard forward struggle between the two packs, was good hard football, without being brilliant. Queenstown in the first half had the advantage of a strong following wind, but owing to poor tactics displayed by the backs and misjudged kicking, several scoring opportunities were lost. No score was registered at half-time. In the second half, although the Queenstown forwards held the upper hand, the Country backs made the most of limited opportunities and clinched matters by scoring three tries. The teams were: Country.—R. Hansen (captain), .1. Thomson, J. Dagg, J. G. Douglas, N. Grant, G. McLaren, J. Reid, A. Bagrie, J. Spence, J. Saunders, A. Mcßean, A. H. McLean, C. Allan, J. Allan, W. Dagg. • Queenstown. —R. Anderson (captain), D. Wade, W. Anderson, F. Anderson, A. Sanders, J. Taylor, R. Payne, L. Inder, J. Elliott, R. Buchanan, J. Munro, L. Forde, R. Cumberbeach, J. Thwaites, J. Murdoch. Country kicked off into the wind. The kick was fielded by R. Anderson, who gained three-quarters of the field

with a nice line-finder. From a scrum infringment Queenstown was awarded a penalty. j. Murdoch had a shot at goal, the ball falling short. At this stage Queenstown, was definately on the attack, but was losing scoring opportunities by kicking too hard, Country forcing twice in quick succession. Country’s full-back took a risk in one of these instances in letting the bouncing ball go over the goal line.

A good break by the Country inside backs, J. Saunders and A. McLean, took play into Queenstown territory, E. Hansen coming into the picture with a fine display of dribbling which ended up well into the twenty-five. E, Anderson relieved the pressure for Queenstown by a nice kick through which found a gap,.play ending up two yards from the Country goal line. Thwaites, who had received an injury, had moved to the full-back position for Queenstown and saved well when. Country broke, away Play set-

Hod in the Country twenty-five, and from near the side line R Anderson had a pot at goal, the ball just falling under the cross-bar. The Country full-back saved well when A. Sanders kicked through. Then Queenstown’s full-back was called on, J. Saunders brilliantly fielding a high ball to find the line with the referee’s whistle for half-time. When Queenstown kicked off in the second spell, the wind had dropped considerably. Murdoch was short with a penalty for Queenstown. From a scrum 15 yards in front of the Country line, E. Anderson, was nearly over from a good run on the blind side, Country getting relief from a good kick by A. Mclean, which took play well into Queenstown territory. Following a scrum and an interception by A. McLean, the Country back line swung into action, C. Allan going over the line for a good try. J. Allan failed to convert.

Country again pressed and Payne saved effectively with a good run and play settled in Country’s territory, W. Anderson going close to scoring with a drop kick. Shortly afterwards Murdoch evened the score with a penalty kick for Queenstown. R. Payne showed up well in the play that followed. At this stage both packs played with plenty of vigour, the game being much brighter than earlier. Both R. Anderson and R. Payne made good breaks for Queenstown, but Country again pressed and, following a kick through, J. Thomson beat the Queenstown full back in a race for the ball to score between the posts. J. Allan added the extra points. The Country backs were next seen in a nice piece of passing, the ball going out to C. Allan on the wing who finished off the movement by making a splendid try. J. Allan converted with a brilliant kick from the side line to • bring the score on the call of time, Country .., 13 Queenstown 3 Mr M. T. Robertson was the referee. The president of the Wakatipu District Sub-union, Mr C. M. Inglis, in presenting the cups at the conclusion of the game, congratulated the Country team on their victory. The captain of the team replied.