WIN FOR OTAGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20971, 7 September 1931, Page 11

WIN FOR OTAGO.

AUCKLAND (SOUNDLY BEATEN. EIGHTEEN POINTS TO SIX. VISITORS SUPERIOR ALL ROUND. * The representative Rugby match played at Eden Park on Saturday between Otago and Auckland resulted in a win for the former by 18 points to six. Otago held the upper hand practically throughout the match and at r.o stage looked likely to suffer defeat. Only for about 10 minutes in the second spell Auckland made a great effort, but Otago soon rallied and at the end was all over its opponents, two tries being added in quick succession.

The Otago pack played with great dash, packed better than the local vanguard and was superior in all-round play. The Otago backs were also superior to the Auckland rearguard, whose passing at times was exceedingly poor and the inside men did not, run straight. One of the features of the game was the excellent all-round exhibition of Simon, the Otago halfback, who scored two fine tries. The ground was heavy after rain and about 15 minutes before time rain fell. There was a large attendance of spectators. iv The teams were as follows:

Auckland.—Fullback, Davies; threequarters, Milliken, Caughey, Hutchison; five-eighths, Haslam, Jamieson,; halfback, Corner; wing-forward, Solomon; forwards, Souter, Palmer, Anderson, Knight, Finlayson, Batty (captain), Satherley. Otago.—Fullback, Bush; threequarters, MacKenzie, Allan, Robilliard; five-eighths, Fookes, Bathgate; halfback, Simon; wingforward, Cavanagh; forwards, Lucy, Souter, Finlayson, Clouston, Hore (captain), Hartnell, Allen. <® An Early Try. Auckland won the toss and played with the advantage oit the sun. Otago kept Auckland in its own territory in the opening stages, Bush once failing from a penalty near hidfway. Almost immediately Simon worked tfio blind side of a scrum cleverly. Robilliard ran strongly, evading Milliken's tackle and on coming to Davies in-passing to Cavanagh, who dashed over wide out. Souter failed with the kick. Otago, 3; Auckland, 0. The Otago forwards, aided by clever kicking by the backs, were worrying Auckland in the loose,' and Robilliard made a good attempt afc a pot. Otago was having the better of the play, the forwards infusing plenty of dash into their work. After having Auckland penned up for a period obstruction against an Auckland back enabled Souter to kick a good goal. Otago, 6; Auckland, 0.

The first time the Auckland backs were in action Hutchison gained ground with a good kick. Bush was tackled in possession', but MacKenzie dropped back and saved with a splendid kick. Again the Otago forwards drove Auckland back and from another penalty Souter landed his second goal. Otago, 9; Auckland, 0. Solomon broke clean away from a scrum and got as far as Bijsh before kicking. Fookes came across and effected a nice save. A penalty against the visitors well out gave Davies a chance, his kick going wide. Clever play by Simon placed Otago on attack, a good chance being lost through mishandling. Otago continued to attack, Fookes cutting through the Auckland backs before throwing a long pass to MacKenzie, who was lowered by Hutchison. Some strenuous forward tussles ensued, with the advantage all in Otago's favour. A.* couple of penalties against the visitors relieved the pressure\ but only temporarily. The Otago backs set off and Fookes cross-kicked, Allen racing on and catching Hutchison in possßssion. . From a loose scrum right at the corner flag Simon got ..possession and dashed over. The angle was too difficult for Souter. Otago, 12; Auckland, 0. In a passing bout by the Otago rearguard Allen cut in nicely. On being cornered he in-passed to Fookes, who was temporarily injured in a tackle. Fookes retired at half-time and was replaced by Smith.' 1 Otago, which had had I all the better,of the play, was still attacking at half-time, the score being: — Otago : 12 Auckland . . • • • • Auckland Scores.

On resuming a )sne rush by the visiting forwards gave the backs possession ended right at Auckland's corner'flag, •where a penalty relieved. Auckland drove back, and passing among the backs gained considerable ground. Milliken made a good run down the wing, and from a cross-kick Knight obtained possession and passed to Hutchison. The Auckland wing outpaced the opposition and scored wide out. Davies made a fine effort to convert, the ball just going outside. Otago, 12; Auckland, 3. Spurred by its success Auckland set up a series of attacks, using its backs at every opportunity. The defence held, however, Bush saving nicely on a couple of occasions. ■ The Otago forwards relived the pressure, a fyee-kick placing Auckland again on the attache. The Otago forwards gradually worked their way toward the Auckland line. Simon" sent his backs away, but Bathgate kicked too hard, a force resulting. Even play followed, neither side gaining much advantage until Otago wag l forced. Cavanagh was injured in stopping a rush, and the referee had occasion to warn Knight.

A strong Otago forward rush was well saved by Davies right on his line. Then the Auckland forwards retaliated with a thrilling rush, and Otago had to defend strenuously until Bathgate relieved with a nice run. Davies was being often called on to save, and he was doing his work well. A fine kick by Corner found the line at the flag, and from the l»ne*out Souter almost scored. The Auckland backs had chances, but gained little ground through poor passing. Good work by the Auckland forwards and a weak kick by Bush saw play transferred to the Otago line, where Palmer scored by the posts.' Corner missed the easy kick. Otago, 12; Auckland, 6.

Simons' Second Try. Otago was soon again in the Auckland twenty-five, offside play sending it back. Poor passing by the Aucklan - guard enabled' the visitors to clear easily and Allen had a shot from a m a rkma fair position, the kick going wide. Otago maintained the pressure and a lew minutes before time Simon followed through on the blind side, picked up cleverly and scored at the corner. Bush failed with the kick. Otago, 15; Auckla,on time Hore scored anotHer try for Otago at the other corner, foI,OTU "f . a loose rush. Bush fiiled with the kick, the final score being: — Otago .. • • 18 * * Auckland •» *■ . *" J4r. J5." Sutherland ww referee*