RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19270, 6 September 1924, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE GOLDFIELDS TOUR

NARROW WIN FOR THE VISITORS. The Goldfields touring 1 team played the first of its two games at Roxburgh on Thursday against a combined TapanuiTuapeka team- Tho weather was ideal for football, the slight wind which blow at tho commencement of the game dying down towards the end. The playing area was about three miles out of tho township and was of a nature which was very trying on the visitors. The surface was very hard and the pebbles which were distributed over it no doubt made a difference to the players. 'll,O play, on the whole, was not of a particularly high standard, although it became exciting towards tho finish when the score stood at 13—12, but neither team could press home the final attacks, anti tho scores remained unaltered at the finish. There was really little or no difference between the merits of tho teams, and the visitors had to extend themselves to keep the home team from scoring at the finish- . , The country team hooked the bail m tne majority of the scrums, although as often as not it did not come out cleanly. In the forwards M'Dorald and A. Aitchison played solid games, and Eckhoff shone in the loose. The line kicking of the local players was one of their strongest points. The home backs provided some bright flashes of passing, and included among them ww® some promising players. Edgar at full-back was safe, and his kicking was powerful. tie saved his forwards a great deal. _ Gordon and Shanks played well on the wings, the latter being the better of the pair, Ottrey was tho star back of the team. Townsono (half-back) is a young player who should do well when he gains more experience. The Otago forwards did not come up to expectations, and the majority of the wont was left to two or three. Gilhok played a rattling game and was always cm the ball. Ross was injured a few minutes after the start, and Fox came on. The latter was afterwards removed to the backs, and his display there was a very creditable one. He possesses pace and weight and takes full advantage of the chances that come iue way. Stewart (Palmerston) was another hard worker, and bis play all through was sound. Glengarry (half-baok) was the hardest worker in the bocks. He stood up to a lot of hard play, and set his backs m motion at every opportunity, Shand played well until he was injured. Bathgate, who usually plays on tho wing, was given a trial at full-back, and under the circumstances played a sound game. Stevenson converted two tries with good kicks. The .teams took the field as follows: OTAGO. Full-back, Bathgate; three-quarters— Stevenson, Kydd, and Webb; five-eighths, Shand and Neipier; half-back, Glengarry; forwards —Milne, Stewart, Brien, Maule, Gillick, Collett, and M’MiUan; wing forward, Ross. TAP ANUI-TD APEK A. Full-back, Edgar; three-quarters, Gordon, Michelle, and Shanks; five-eighths, Ottrey and Nicholson; half-back, Townsend; forwards—M‘Donald, Murray, Morrin, A. Aitchison, M’Phail, Eokbotf, Moffitt; wing forward, R. Aitchison. THE PLAY. Otago kicked off, and tho forwards and backs in turn got away, Shand being well collared by Townsend. Country took play to halfway with a passing movement, but Gillick broke through and recovered the lost ground. After scrambling play in Country territory, the home team set up a passing rush, which ended when Shames was collared. Ross, at this juncture, was compelled to retire, and his place was taken by Fox. Glengarry worked the blind side and let Stevenson away, and it was nob long before the Blues had the home team pinned on their line. Ottrey, however, was instrumental in saving with a good line kick, and the Colours carried on tho effort with a strong rush which took play past halfway. Nicholson then kicked n goal from a penalty. Tapanui-Tuapeka 3 Otago 0 Tuapeka were more than holding their own. Gillick again broke through. A. Aitchison mad© a good run, and a strong kick by Edgar took play to the Blues’ line. From a line-out Morrin scored, but Nicholson failed with tho kick. Tapanui-Tuapeka ■ - ... 6 Otago 0 The Blue forwards pressed, and Gordon relieved with, a fine run, but he was collared by Neiper. Edgar then attempted to drop-kick a goal, and the visitors forced. • Fox, M‘Mil I an, and Stevenson then figured in a passing rush, but tho ball was returned down the field. The country players were becoming dangerous when Neipier marked, and play was taken back to the twenty-five. Ottrey and Edgar put in some good work, but Shand picked up at his twenty-five and kicked through. Following up fast, he secured and passed to Stewart, who transferred to Fox, and the latter crossed tho line to score. Stevenson converted. Tapanui-Tuapeka 6 Otago 5 Gillick made a strong run up the line and passed in, but Aitchison secured and relieved. Scrambling play followed near the Blues’ line, and Shanks got the bail, running well to score near the corner. Edgar failed to add the extra points. The halftime score was: • Tapanui-Tuapeka ... Otago SECOND SPELL. The Otago forwards opened well in tho second spell, and Stewart was prominent. Kydd let Webb away, but the latter was collared with nobody to back him Up alter a run down the line. Fox was nearly over a few minutes after. Shand was compelled to retire owing to an injury to his ankle, and Findlay came on. Fox went on to the wing, and Stevenson wont up to first fiveeighths. Otago made another sally and Kydd beat the opposition and scored. Stevenson made no mistake with tho kick. Otago ... Tapanui-Tuapeka J Fox and Milne got away, but were brought back for a free kick. I mdlay picked up near his own line and passed to Webb, the latter kicking down the field. Tho town forwards rushed play to the home team’s line, and Fox again got over near tbo corner. Stevenson was unsuccessful with the kick. Otago -• Tapanui-Tuapeka J On resuming, Tuapeka attacked, hut. Bathgate cleared with a good kick. Tho Colours again pressed, and, after a fine passing rush Gordon got over. Edgar failed to convert. Otago 13 Tuapeka-Tapanui 12 Tuapeka continued to play well, and amid great excitement kept Otago pressed on the line. They failed, however, to penetrate the defence, and the game ended : Otago 13 Tapanui-Tuapeka 12 Mr T. Waigth was the referee.