RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20709, 6 May 1929, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE COMPETITION. KAIKORAI DEFEATS UNIVERSITY. The Rugby Union competitions on Saturday were favoured by ideal weather conditions. The feature of the day’s play was the defeat of University A by Kaikorai. The Students were completely outclassed and it must have been a hovel experience for them to encounter a defence which they were powerless to break down for - even one try. The University ® team also suffered defeat at the hands of Taieri Rovers, and Pirates secured a narrow victory over Alhambra. Southern had little difficulty in defeating Union, and Dunedin had 12 points to spare at the close of their match with ZingariRichmond. Pirates now go into top place in the banner competition with 6 points, Kaikorai being second with 5 points, and University A third with 4 points. The following table shows the relative positions of the teams engaged in the senior grade competition:— Points. Teams. P. W. L. D. F. A. F.P. Pirates .... 3 3 0 0 59 26 6 Kaikorai .. ~ 3 2 0,1 -71 17 5 University A .. 3 2 1 0 58 22 4 Taieri 3 2 1 0 43 28 4 Southern .... 3 2 10 48 39 ; 4 University B .. 3 111 41 24 3 Alhambra .... 3 1 2 0 40 31 2 Dunedin .... 3 1 2 0 34 46 2 Union .. .... 3 0 3 0 12 87 0 Zingari .... 3 0 3 0 6 92 0 KAIKORAI v. UNIVERSITY A. Beaten in the forwards, particularly in the second spell, and with their rearguard crumbling _ under the strong solo runs of the _ opposing backs. University left the Carisbrook Ground on Saturday afternoon a well beaten team. The game was played under beautiful weather conditions —the first spell was contested in brilliant sunshine—and the 7000 odd spectators watched the struggle with the keenest interest. 'The gate receipts came to £274 7s. It is a day or two since the University A side did not cross their opponents' line. The Blues played from the railway end, and the Colours had a bright sun in their faces. It took a few minutes before the sides settled down, and a well-placed kick by Bradanovich put the Colours on defence. Monk, right wing-three-quarter, fumbled a kick by Bradanovich and played the ball on the ground, and the Blues were awarded a free kick, Henley making a fine, but unsuccessful, attempt to goal. The Kaikorai backs were not fielding the ball-well, and their forwards .were coniine back to cover their mistakes. The Colours followed up a hard ground kick; and Monk missed with a penalty. The Blues, had a turn at attack, and the ball was sent out to Webb, who streaked along the right wing and passed infield, Bradanovich being held up'right on the line. Ragged forward played followed and then from a scrum in front of the Blues’ 1 goal Rotting sent out to Braithwaite, who passed cleverly to Ross. The Colours’ second five-eighth ran for the goal, Stevenson grassing him as he passed out to Olliver. the last-named going over unopposed. Monk missed, the goal kick. Kaikorai 3. University nil. Headed by their ‘ wing-forward, Miller, . the Colours came with great dash, Stevenson going down to save. Stevenson failed to stop the next rush, but the hall went out at the corner flag, with two Kaifcorai men on top of it. The Colours’ forwards were putting all their weight into the. close work, and Rotting, Braithwaite, and Laing joined in passing, the last-named, fumbling in front of the Blues’ goal. Stevenson went to the. ground to stop another forward rush, and shortly after Ross stopped Houghton as the Blues tried passing. Clark, the Colours’ fullback, failed to field a high punt by Stevenson, and Bradanovich waspushed ,out at the left corner. Clark marked in the face of another attack, and same exciting play followed . in the Colours’ twenty-five. M’Lean 'passed .to Webb on -the blind side, ihe Blue wing threequarter being obstructed and knocked flat as he punted over the line, Kaikorai forcing. The Blues kept up the pressure, but their passing from the. scrums was uncertain, BradanOvich’s play being most disappointing. Jolly led his forwards in a promising movement, but'it ended- nowhere. Stevenson fumblea, but got out of, trouble just in -time, and .Clark also failed to handle cleanly. 'Play hung at the centre, and (Ross, Braithwaite,and Laing gained 1 ground.. Stevenson kicking out at his twenty-five. ' A free kick by Stevenson gained some, ground, and then, from a line out. Sonntag broke through, Perry carrying on. Monk had a penalty shot without success, and after some give and take play - Betting sent Braithwaite away bn the left wing, hut Olliver dropped his pass. Clark was now fielding the ball well in the air, and playing a good all-round game,, and Bottmg was also doing a vast amount of work, his defensiye play being very solid. A beautiful passing run was started by M Ijean, to Bradanovich,’ to Horsley, to MClymont, who was caught, from behind by Ross, at the Kaikorai twenty-five. Once more the Colours’ forwards carried S, • 1,-l *° 6 blues’ territory, where Uraitihwatte, and then Ross, potted without .success, a -fine line-finder by Horsley relieving the pressure as the half time bell went. 3—ml.

ground was in the. shadow when the Blues: changed over, and weak play by Bradanovich and Horsley let Katkprai through,: Miller kicking hard and Stevenson punting out at his twenty-five. The Kaikorai forwards were packing together well, and their backs were fielding cleanly and punting down field in good style. The Blue forwards did not have the dash of the previous Saturday, and they could not shake off the persistent attack of the opposing pack. Perry dribbled to Stevenson, who stopped the rush, and M'Clymont took Monk as he was moving through. A solid encounter took place between the forwards till Watkins, amidst great excitement, headed a great rush. • Kaikorai were getting the hall fron> the scrums, and Miller dribbled through to the goal, where, after some strenuous 1 defence by the Blues'. Betting missed an easy penalty shot. Webb and Douglas gained ground in passing, hut Laing punted back to the line. Bradanovich fumbled twice in the face of the forward rushes, and Grey headed a counter movement, Clark kicking out near his corner flag. Stevenson hesitated after taking a kick, and was downed by Olliver, and twice immediately after the fast-fol-lowing Kaikorai men caught Stevenson with the ball; Grey saved another dangerous situation shortly after. The Kaikorai backs were tackling in great style, and were easily following the slow, "uncertain passing of the Blue backs. At last a fine scoring chance came to the Blues, but Horsley knocked on, with the defence open. The crowd became greatly excited as the long-waited spectacular scoring movements of the Blues appeared at last to be staged, but Sonntag dribbled clean through. Stevenson failed to stop the rush, and so did Webb, but Bradanovich got back to_ kick out just in time, Sonntag gained about 40 yards with his slashing effort. A free kick to the Blues gained about 50 yards, but Horsley then fumbled a hard ground kick, and a clever dribble by Botting, a rush by the Kaikorai forwards, and Miller scored. Monk kicked a goal. B—nil. The Kaikorai forwards were racing down on to the Blue backs, who had no variety in their play and little, combination, and wearing down the opposition. Stevenson ran into the open and kicked, but Miller charged down the kick,_ a penalty shot saving the Blues. Laing potted from well out, the hall going near the post, and then the Colours’ centre bolted'deep through the defence as if it were tissue paper. Kaikorai continued to hook the ball, and Botting sent out to Braithwaite. to Ross, and on to Laing. The centre failed to take hie pass, but recovered the ball —it looked like a knock on—and sent on to Olliver, who ran over unopposed on the left wing and round, Monk missed an easy shot. 11—nil. The Blue forwards could not hold back the solid-working Hill pack, and the Blue hacks could not join up in effective passing. An exchange of kicks saw Botting mark at his twenty-five, but the referee awarded a free kick to the Blues—evidently for obstruction—Stevenson kicking a good goal. !!• —3. Jolly and Henley were ‘in the van of a Blue forward rush, but Perry took a pass offside and kicked hard to Stevenson, .who ‘ fumbled, Webb saving in the nick

of time. Once more the hard-working Sonntag showed up, Stevenson again failing to field a ground kick, but the attacking movement broke down. Give-and-take play followed, and then Perry and Miller dribbled to the Blue line, a force down following after a scramble. In the dying stages of the game Webb made a fine dash along the right wing, Clark collaring him soundly, and in some close work the Blues were awarded a free kick for a Kaikorai man-holding on to the ball, Stevenson kicked a goal. 11—6. The Kaikorai forwards were soon in the ascendent again, and Laing battled his way deep into the defence. Monk was unsuccessful with a penalty kick, and the bell went with the play at the centre flag. . Kaikorai .. 11 points. University A .. .. 6 points. Mr 6, M'Kenzie was the referee. PIRATES v. AUHAMBRA. Though play at the start of the match between Pirates and Alhambra was fast and, at times, spectacular, it later became of a very ragged nature. It remained so until near the end of the game, when the closeness of the scores lent the teams renewed vigour, and both played in determined fashion. Pirates utimately win- 1 ning by 16 points to 13. The winners deserved their victory, showing more dash and initiative than the Red-and-Blacks, who were far below the form which they displayed on the prevous Saturday. There were few confcerted movements during the game, in which the standard of the play did not reach the expectations of the crowd. Pirates kicked off with the sun in their eyes, and immediately set up a hot attack, which ended in Alhambra forcing hurriedly. Prom the drop-out Giles fielded and put in an excellent kick, from which the hall went out at the corner. Pirates attempted passing, but faulty handling lost them a chance. Suddenly, from their own twenty-five, the Alhambra forwards broke away, bad fielding by Pirates enabling them to gain 50 yards.\ Wilson came up fast on the wing, and, picking up well 25 yards from the line, evaded several tackles and touched down behind the posts. Souter converted. Alhambra 5, Pirates ail. Pirates immediately returned to the attack, and from a free kick Faulks put over a -fine goal. Alhambra S, Pirates 3. After a period of fast play in midfield, Pirates attacked at the corner. An Alhambra man miskicked, and Griffen failed to field the ball. Glendining picking up and diving across at the corner. Faulks failed with the kick. Pirates 6,' Alhambra 5. From the kickoff Alhambra took the offensive, and a good kick sent the ball' out at' the corner. From the line out Alhambra commenced passing, Johnston failing with a-pot at goal. Fortunes continued to fluctuate, and Alhambra were saved from another difficult situation -by a free kick. The Blacks continued ,to attack,. but were driveS back by a long kick.\ Play was ragged until Wyllie started passing at halfway. Little ground was gained, however, and Giles' picked up and covered almost 25 yards in a clever run. He went too far on his own, however, and a long kick relieved Alhambra. Pirates continued to have the better of the game, Faulks making a good but unsuccessful attempt to pot a goal just before half time.

. The first incident oh note in the second half was a good run by .Callander, Alhambra having the better ,of the initial exchanges. A long kick and a dash by the Black, for wards had Alhambra in danger, but again ,an infringement saved the Red and Blacks. Pirates kept up the pressure, but Walker led a rush to safety. A long kick took' the ball once more into Pirates territory, Johnston blocking Faulks’s return. ’’ Walker was again prominent, but mainly as a result of a good kick by Giles play was returned to Alhambra territory. Charging down an Alhambra kick, Giles picked up and dived across. . In doing so, however, he knocked on, and Pirates ' tvere brought back , for a scrum. After, a brief interval clever work by Faulks put the Blacks on attack but they again lost -a chance through bad passing. A line out was formed on the Alhambra line, Boutrey handing out smartly to Giles, who dived across well out. Faulks kicked a fine goal. • Pirates 11, Alhambra 5. From the Pirates’ twenty-five Alhambra started, passing; but Wyllie failed to take the ball, Findly picking up and returning to safety. 1 Giles was unsuccessful with a pot at;goal. .On the Pirates J side jpf halfway secured the ball from a scrum. Wyllie made a clever run and punted to the line, Callander following up and .scoring under the posts. Souter converted. Pirates 11, Alhambra 10. . Almost immediately afterwards Young picked up from- a scramble on the Red and Blacks’ twentyfive line, and made straight for- the line! In a fine run. he evaded the defence and scored in a. good position. Faulks converted. - Pirates. 16,. Alhambra 10, Shortly afterwards-Hook dribbled the ball over the line, but iin Alhambra man cot there first to force" down. A good kick by Walker put Alhambra on the offensive, but though they got the ball from a scrum ,on. the dine, the chance was wasted. Immediately afterwards .Callander ' made a . fine run, but was brought down on the line. The Red and Blacks were awarded a free - kick, however, and Souter kicked a goal. Play was at _ halfway, when the, final whistle went with the scores: Pirates" .. .. 16 points. Alhambra .. ~ ~ 13 points. Mr J. Himburg was the referee.