O.R.F.U. TRIAL MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11198, 22 August 1898, Page 3

O.R.F.U. TRIAL MATCH.

There was a good attendance at the trialmatch* on the Garisbrook ground on Saturday, and the spectators were treated to a fast, open game. The fact that 54- points were ■were scored during the afternoon . may be perhaps held by some to point to a weak : ness in defence—for, though the Blues won handsomely, yet the Colours scored four tries,—but does it not rather point to excellence in passing? As line-out play was entirely discarded, the ball on every occasion of its going into touch being, brought back into play by means, of ;d scrummage, the game furnished, a-very .severe test of condition, and there were a forward or two on the Colours' side who, before the finish, showed signs of puncture. . The match, opened j with a score tortile Colours, M'Farlane getting a try, but Mackenzie (after a good run) and Given successively scored shortly afterwards for the Blues, and Mnson converted his clubmate's try. ..-Then one of the Colours' forwards scored, and before the close of the spell Smith gained a try for the Blues and.Lawry kicked a splendid goal from near the touch line. At half-time the Blues led by 13 points to 6. In the'secoud spell, various change;! were made in the disposition of the teams. Lumband Ross supplanted Lawry and..Johnstone as full backs for the Blues and Colours respectively, 'and Duncan and Stephenson, who had been playing for the Colour:;, ■ changed sfdes- -with 'O'Shea and ■ Mackenzie. The scoring, in this spell was very rapid. Stephensoh 'scoreil itwo trie's, on each occasion on the opposite wing from that on which lie was playing, Annit. passing to him near the line; and Sinclair, Hobbs, and Armit each gained one for "the-, Blues, and Armit and Mason each kicked a goal. Then Fisher scored for the Colours and'O'Shea registered a .goal; Steplnmson got his third try and Mason converted it; and Mackenzie obtained n, good try for the Colours, the game ending in favour of "the Blues by 40 points to 14.