BRITAIN'S SECOND REVERSE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 128, 1 June 1908, Page 7

BRITAIN'S SECOND REVERSE.

MATCH. AGAINST OTAGO

A FORWARD STRUGGLE

[press association.!

DUNEDIN. May 30

The match between the British team and Ota go was played at Carisbrook to-day in the presence of about "»-5.000 ■spectators. Ihe weather was spjondid in tho- morning, but about 2 p.m. licht rain set in. and continued iiui-il just before the start of j.lav. Tho v-\\n was followed by a strong ■ sit id bitt-p.rly cold wind, Avhich blew aeros/, the- ground,', making matters very unpleasant for the spectators and hampering good back play considerably.

Tho Z"1 *I'^) resulted in a ric-

Tory for Otago by 9 points (two tries axid a penalty goal) to 6 (a try and a penalty goal), was rather disappointing from a spectacular point of view, out at the same time some splendid forward play was witnessed. J.n the opening stages, the British team had somewhat the better of the play, and Otago bad to force down about five minutes after the start. The visitors kept up the attack, Vassall being conspicuous for good play. After the game liad been in progress about twelve^ minutes Otago were penalised for obstruction, and Dyke drop-kicked a fiiie goal from about tho 25. A few minutes later the British forwards broke away, and after a good rush Archer scored in a fairly good position, but Dyke failed

with the kick ait-goal. Two freekicks 'to Otago placed the British line in danger, and the visitors were forced down after Paton had an, unsuccessful"* shot at goal from an acute an glo. Otago then set up a strong attack, and McDonald cot over the line, but the ball was called back for knock-on. Otago were not to be denie.l, however, and immediately afterwards the ', forwards rushed tho ball over the line, Fitzpatrick scoring. Thp kick at goal was a failure. For thp rest of the spell ihe visitors had the upper hand, and one one occasion got dangerously^ near^ the Ofcago line; but a free-kick to home relieved.

j The second spell opened with-.fine I work by the Otago forwards, who kept so close on the ball that the visiting backs got practically no chance of showing to advantage. Otago followed up splendidly, and gave the visitors a busy time staving off attacks. About ten minutes after the spell opened Otago got a freekick in a favourable position, and Paton equalised the scores by sending the ball over the bar. -Half-way through the spell Otago penned Britain down, and after some interesting play the ball was whipped out to pwyer, who dashed over at the corher, scoring the winning try. The kick at goal was a failure. After this the visitors- held their own" better, and for a few minutes towards the finish Otago had a busy time: defending. Britain were\unable to penetrate the defence, and the game ended with Otago attacking. For the greater part of the game play was confined to the forwards, the backs on both sides getting very few opportunities to display their abilities' in attack. The ball rarely came oat to the rear division from the scrum, and in ' consequence the backs had to make'all their own play. The visitors, who &eeined. to have the advantage in weight, had the best of the line play and scrums, but in the loose they were outclassed by Otago, whose forward rushes were at times irresistible,' Passing-rushes were rarely attempted, but the few efforts made in this direction Avere not ivery successful; A large number of r-ree-Hcks vvere given during the game, the British team being chiefly responsible for breaches of the rules; '

Tho visitors were entertained at a smoke-ooncerfc to-night, and leave for layercargill On Tuesday, i