OTAGO SEVERELY DRUBBED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 16 June 1930, Page 6

OTAGO SEVERELY DRUBBED

BY BRITISH TEAM A FAST AND SPECTACULAR GAME (By Telegraph—Press Association) DUNEDIN, 14th June. Otago enjoys the distinction of having suffered the 'severest drubbing to date .•it the bands of the British Rugby footballers. Before a crowd of about 17,000 at Carisbrook the "home team was beaten by 33 points to 9, in a game that was fast and spectacular for all its oncsidedness. The cause of Otngo's convincing defeat is not difficult of apprehension. The local forwards were rattled in the first few minutes, and from that time were hopelessly outclassed. The result was that the 'backs could do nothing, and since they too were move or less stampeded by the whirlwind tactics of the visitors there was a debit of 15 points against the home team before the crowd realised that Otago was not likely to be in the hunt. Later in the game Otasro's defence improved, and the crowd responded appreciatively to some strikingly effective tackling. When Reeve with Ins powerful and impressive lope, set off for the corner with the ball under his arm and beat Stevenson with such ridiculous ease, he brought the crowd to its iocs, and indicated the opposition Otago had to face, lie was brilliant all day, and made many line runs, llis acceptances were perfect and he ran as straight as an arrow. Spong'was a heartbreak to both forwards anil backs. He jinked, wormed, side-stepped and (Indeed everywhere heedless of high tackles directed at, him, and what was more to the point there was always someone there to carry on when he was slopped. Murray and

Aai'vold we're scarcely less impressive, but. Moi'ley got few chances. Among Hie forwards Beamish and ,Jones were always prominent. Black's place kicking was splendid. Lindsay and Fivuicis were the only Otago backs worth mentioning. Stevenson was a failure at full bark. Within ten minuttte of the start Reeve had run over twice and Black converting, Unlaid was 10-0. !n another leu minutes Uee\i> centred the ball and Beamish forced his way through under tin' posts. Black again converted. 'lhc next, two scores were ■' Otago's. First Lindsay kicked a penally goal and then Francis beat flic full back but Lindsay failed at goal. From scrambling play Jones got ovei and Black converted, and the spell c.tidejd with the score, Britain 20, Otago 6. In the second half Stevenson went up to wing three-quarter, and Lindsay wen! to full back. Bassotf, fumbling again, let Giles over, and Otago's score went up to 0 but stopped (here. The local man's play got weaker ami weaker. Spoilg, Jones and Reeve broke through in turn. Black converted two of these tries and Otago left the field well beaten by 33 points to 9. BRITISH TEST TEAM VIRTUALLY THAI' WHICH PLAYEL OTAGO DUNEDIN, This Day. Although no announcement will' be made before mid-week, the British test team will be virtually that which played Otago. It is understood that the British have been given the privilege of nominating the referee for the first test, and have suggested Mr Hollander of Chrisfchurch. The tourists trained at Carisbrook ground this morning.