RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18643, 26 August 1922, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

, GOLDFIELDS TOUR. OTAGO BEATS VINCENT. NOTES ON THE GAME (From Oub Own Reporter.) CLYDE, August 24. Tho match between Otago and Vincent was not as even os the score indicates. In the first hall the Vincent team did well to keep Otago out, as they had to face a strong sun. However, they marked! accurately, and their* tackling was safe. It was in the second half that Otago had by a good deal the better of the game. They kept tho p|ay on the Greens’ line during most of tjje spell, anti it is likely that

.they would have scored on two or three occasions had their three-quarter line been given more chances. Vincent, like Maniototo, were well served with a strong forward pack, which lasted out:a strenuous game well. Their wing forward (Marslin) and their two side supports (M'Donald and Hoskins) were useful in attack by virtue of their effective dribbling play, and in defence they frequently broke through the .attack ’of the Otago backs. Unlike the Maniototo . forwards, they were rarely caught offside, and it was only by playing a much improved game that the Otago forwards held their own M'Folin and Kennelly were another pair of Vincent forwards to gain prominence. The local backs did not prove formidable, their, passing being very poor. Betts, the half back, was their best man. He got the ball out smartly when hard pressed, and cut in well when given . opportunities. He failed badly,on one occasion by trying a'solo effort when passing out (would have put Otago, in a critical position. • Olsen (wing . three-quarter) displayed great pace, but ha would greatly improve his play if he ran straight. The inside backs were very patchy in attack though sound in defence. The full back'(Campbell) played a first rate game, tackling,' marking, and kicking with accuracy. . . -Robinson, playing centre ■ three-quarter.for Otago, was the best back on the ground. He picked up and took passes well, and did not fail to throw the ball, about, when necessary. Given more 'chances " this player, hacked up by scoring men like Wise and. Connolly, i.would have effected an increase in Otago’s score. Wise and Connolly—thanks to the Green forwards—were given very few chances to score. ,Col!!ns was very successful at full back. ' Berwick played not only a hard, but also a spectacular forward game. He, Thomas, and Eckhoff' headed repeated ; onslaughts by the Blues’ - forwards, and they. were closely followed by R. Scott and Findlay. R. ScOtt, .in spite of his weight,; was , a tiger for work and as fast as a-wing. Quito a feature of the; game was tho clashing of two good wing forwards—Marslin ■ and Wilson. Early in the game eachtried to pick up' at times, bbt the other was invariably too quick to allow this. Both, dribbled, with precision and dash. 'Webber’s potted goal—which won -the match—was a wellrjudged piece of play.

It was, apparent that the Otago half was waiting for a chance to notch four points--: he had practised the kick well in: the morning—and when the ball came his .way in front, of the posts he was hot slow to send, it. over. ’ , ' The team were entertained ’at' dinner tonight by the Vincent Sub-union.’ Several speeches were given, and the game viewed from different standpoints. • A remark ‘that was at once endorsed by -every Vincent man present was that they would prefer a visit front a strong Dunedin team (or else the representative team) .that w.ould. give the local team a sound thrashing, and teach it football. When the team'left-RanfUrly,-Mr Duftey M‘Laren, ex-Otago representative, presented it with a' box' of: cigars. , Needlpss to say this gift from an old' player Was ' greatly

appreciated. i The teams'for to-day’s match were;— Otago , (Blue). —Full back,. Collins; threequarters—Wise, Robinson,: Connolly; * five eighths—Harley, M’Dougall; half back, Webber ; forwards—Wilson (wing), K. Scott. Eckhoff, Gantley, R. Scott, Berwick, Findlay, and Thomas. ' , ■ Vincent-- (Green).—Full -back, Campbell: three-quarters—Olsen, Stewart,” Harris; fiveeighths—Stokes, Haig; half back, Betts; forwards—Marslin (wing), Kennelly, Attfield. M‘Donald, Tohill, Hoskins, M’Felin, and M’Nulty. The next match is against Tuapeka, at Roxburgh, on Saturday. HIGH SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT. ; TTMARU DEFEAT CHRISTCHURCH.’ OTAGO BEATEN BY SOUTHLAND. (Special ro Times.) ' ' ' INVERCARGILL, A»Fust,2s. The South Island High Schools’ Rugby football tournament was commenced on

Rugby Park this, afternoon. The ground was in very wet condition, and rain fell at intervals during the play of the first match. The Timaru - Christchurch match was played on No. 1 ground in'four spells. The play in this match- , very-.ragged* , and .was confined to the if or wards, and the .backs got few, chalices. Timaru had the best of the game during the first spell. The play was very even .in the second half. The game finished 6—3 in favour of Timaru—an and a goal from a free kick to a try. The second, match—Otago v. Southland—was a good exhibition, considering the state of No. 2 ground, where'it was played. Otago kicked off. At the commencement the game consisted of ragged, forward play, but improved towards the middle of the spell. ’"The

first try was scored by Wills, wjio received the .ball from' Kilby. Ottrey converted. Otago forced' down continually. Tyson broke through, but Norris kicked and following up, compelled Otago to force-down. Ottrey (Southland) .initiated a passing rush among the backs, ‘ and Otago again had to force. Ottrey centred, and Clark knocked, on. From a scrum, Southland secured,

Page scoring. Ottrey’s kick failed.,. Stevens then broke away,-carrying -the ball to halfway. The Southland .backs- livened up. Nicholson marked/ and Morgan returned the ball. Otago again forded, arid the first spell pnded. - ' ■ N ' In the second spell, Otago .backs, got away, the rush ending, in a forward pass. to Swift. A. Irvine began another rush, which, ended in a free kick for Otago." Kicking was' how a feature, of the,- play, a kick by . Nicholson compelling Southland to force-down. Bichan marked, and the hall was returned to Ottrey, who initiated a passing rush which ended in a force-down by Otago. From, the line-out Kilby secured and passed to Squires. The latter transferred to Page, who centred.

The ball was taken by J. Irvine, who kicked and followed up well. Wilson (for . Southland)'kicked to mid-field, but Irvine J secured and passed to Bichan,, whose kick was marked by Ottrey. From a line-out, Swift passed to Jolly, - and J. Irvine - rushed through and scored, the try being unconverted., The whistle went with. Southland five yards from the Otago .line, the score being;— Southland _ _ 1 8 pojnts. Otago ... .., ... 3 points.. Dr, Stanley Brown was referee. 1 .-. TO-DAY’S FIXTURES. Paterson and Barr (Ltd.) v. John Edmond, at the North Ground at 2.30 p.m. sharp Paterson and Barr: Rosa, Hyder, Alluni,' Dixon, E. Perry, Strang, Ridland, Haig, B. Perry, Mattigan, Miller, Cameron, Ockwell, Heenun, L- Perry; emergencies— Ward, Skeels. John Edmond: Stubbs, Doatv, M’Cbmbe, Spence, Bonar, Edmond, Ward, Duncan, Hill, Brookes, M'Allen, Garthwaito, Lorrimer, Simpson, Walcott; emergencies—SprapuA, Palmer. A. and T. Inghs v. Otago Daily Times, at Bathgate Park.—A. and T. Inghs: S. Inglis, Wise, Semple, Clent, M’Pherspn, Nelson, Fraser, Wilson. Chirnside, Rose, Kelly, Lawrence, Inglis, Burns, -Cross. Daily Times: Gallon, Smith (2), Kindley, Fraser, M’Beath, Cameron, Lye, Jackson, Jacobsen, Scott, Watson, lipping, Gilbert, Ritchie; emergencies—Macgregor, Bowie. Referee: Mr G. M’Kcnzie. BIBLE CLASS-MATCH. Owing to the Asylum Ground being engaged. for, to-day the Presbyterian. Bible Class trial match will be played at Bishopscourl, at 2.30 p.m.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. A knock-out competition for senior teams will commence nt Gulling Park this afternoon. when Mornington. this, year’s, premiers, will play Northern. On the two previous occasions when those teams met this season some splendid football was seen, and it is expebted that to-day’s game will be an interesting one.

OTAGO v. NORTH OTAGO. The match Otago v.'North Otago will be played at Carisbrook this afternoon, and should prove an interesting exhibition of Rugby .football. The Otago team will be strengthened by the presence of'Boll, Dickinson, Mathieson, and Williams. Mr it. Torrance has been appointed to referee the match. The North Otago team arrived last night, and are stopping at the Prince of Wales Hotel. As a curtain-raiser, the Otajjo and Canterbury representative schools’ teams taking part in the primary schools’ tournament will be played. This should provide a first-class exhibition. The primary schools’ tournament will commence to-day, when Southland will meet North Otago at Taliima Park at 10 a.m. On Monday matches will be played at Carisbrook at 2.15_p.m. and 4.15 p.m., and on Tuesday the trials will bo played at the Caledonian Ground. These matches should provide some excellent'football.