Otiria And Motatau In Drawn Match

Northern Advocate, 10 July 1939, Page 7

Otiria And Motatau In Drawn Match

Played at Oitiria, the game between the home fifteen and Motatau was not responsible for any sensational teamwork or individual play. The field was soft and slippery, and a very bleak wind made playing conditions unpleasant. A little rain fell during the match. Otiria dominated play from the commencement, and, in both forward and back movements, kept their opponents on the move, but solid defensive play on the part of the Motatau fifteen prevented scores. Towards the end of the first spell, the home pack obtained possession. The ball was shot to the backs, who were standing in the centre of the paddock, and, with a well-timed run, they went down the field, to allow J. Wharau to score well out from the uprights. During the second spell, the Motatau defence weakened, and it appeared on several occasions that Otiria would add to its score, but bad luck, in the form of a slippery surface, defeated them. For the greater part of the second spell, the score remained unchanged, and it was not until the Motatau pack broke away in a fast dribbling rush, which gave Shortland the chance to get over, that the score was altered. This score was unconverted, and the game ended in a draw, 3-all. Mr Summerville was the referee.