OTAGO PIRATES TRIUMPHANT

NZ Truth, Issue 1079, 29 July 1926, Page 15

OTAGO PIRATES TRIUMPHANT

'Varsity A Suffers First Defeat (From "Truth's" Special Dunedin Representative.) Although 'Varsity have won the flag 1 for the 1926 season, there was a large crowdat Oaris brook to see the second meeting of Pirates and the Students. A thrilling finish saw Pirates triumph 9—B. '

' n 7ARSITY , thus suffered their first V defeat of the season. Apart from , the brilliant finishing spurt by the students, the game was not up to the standard of the previous meeting between' these teams. The usual sparkle of the 'Varsity 1 backs was missing. Passes were repeatedly dropped. The, Pirates' pack snapped up r every opportunity, arid m all de-^ . . partments of play were superior to 't their opponents. -: T-hey obtained the ball m the majority of scrums and rucks. The greatest advantage this gavt was m preventing the students from obtaining possessjon. The Pirates' backs were far from brilliant, but by judicious punting and , fast following up they were continually I on the attack. ' 'Varsity fielded a depleted team. ; Lindsay was replaced by Nichol- • ' . son at full, while Bilby took '. Webb's place on the wing. In the ' forwards were Christie and Porterfield from the Bs;

The latter pair were among the hardest workers m the students' pack Porterfield is a fine breakaway forward and controls the ball cleverly m dribbling rushes. . . . Hindenach and Dunne were not t'ai behind. Both have played consistently well throughout the season. A. Miinro, the 1924 Otago All Black, turned out owing to an injury to Moreti and was given a rousing reception. He played a fine game. , The Pirates' pack deserve the honors Until he retired with an injured shoulder, Maule was the outstanding forward on the field. His handling ir. the line-out was good, while he led practically every rush. Jackman was back again at wing-forward and worried the opposing backs. Milne and Cooper were always m the thick of matters. Cooper is a tireless worker, but lacks height. U. Walker, the Pirates full, was tried out on the. left-wing and was tlie best back' on -the field. He has" speed and weight,., ond .'scored a Steel, try, bumping off would-be ta'cklers iii great style. He will keep the selectors thinking on Saturday's form.