RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21409, 10 August 1931, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OTAGO v. WAIRARAPA WIN FOR THE HOME SIDE The first of the four matches with outride teams to be played at Dunedin this year was decided at Carisbrook on Saturday, when Otago met and defeated Wairarapa by 12 points to 3 points. The play was hardly up to interprovincial standard, and the Blue backs at the scrum will have to sharpen up their attack if ’they hope to V carry the Otago colours to victory on the 1 northern tour. The passing of the Blue backs was too mechanical, Bathgate, who was the mainstay of the rearguard on defence, was not running up to his man before passing, and as a consequence the Green backs took their opponents as they came on. Fookes tried to vary his play in an endeavour to penetrate the defence, but he was well watched and not given many chances. He cut through in good style once, however, in the first half, and so did Giles in the second, Allen scoring on both occasions. The Blue rearguard 'LL, was solid in defence, but lacked thrust on attack. B. Clark, the Greens’ first five-eighth, was easily the best back on his side, lie took and gave his passes well, tried to go through himself when opportunity offered, and was close to the ball from start to finish. Trapp, second five-eighth, was weak, and was caught far too often with the ball. None of the Green backs, in fact, with the exception of Clark, impressed, though Fitzgerald showed that he is a hard man to stop. He did not, however, get many chances. The Blue forwards had the Green pack under pressure right through the first spell, and with the ball given so often to the home rearguard better scoring results could have been expected. In the second half the Green pack shaped better, and at times more than held their own.

Wilson, until he got hurt, was always prominent in the Blue pack, and R. Allen and Hartnell were also frequently in the picture. The Blue pack as a whole, however, stuck well to their game and they won the match for Otago. They have some big forwards in the Wairarapa team, but this fact notwitustanding, they could not wear down the Blue pack. M'Gregor, Anderson, and Day were a trio of sound workers. The play became a little “temperish ” towards the end. One Wairarapa player came away, from loose play with a wild kick which went shoulder high. Fortunately, no injury to an opponent resulted. The player implicated' certainly did not act in accordance with his name. Junior players get ordered off the field for in- , discriminate kicking. When they reach interprovinoial rank they appear, however, to be given greater license. The greater the player the less an offence. The flag on the grand stand was flown at half-mast in respect to the memory of Mr Arthur B. D/abble, ■ who represented Otago both at football and cricket. He was a member of the Pirates Club, and represented Otago in 1884, 1885, 1887, and 1891.1 THE TEAMS. OTAGO. Full-back, R. Bush 13.5, Three-quarters—W. Allen 11.4, L. Giles 12.0, J. MKenzie. 11.11. Five-eighths, H. Fookes 11.8, W. Bathgate 11.2. , Half-back, H. Simon 10.4. Forwards —R. Souter 12.8, W. Lucy 13.7, C. Finlayson 13.9. R. Wilson 14.0, R. Allan 13.2, A. Hartnell 14.2, J. Hore 13.2, and V. Cavanagh (wing-forward) 11.9. WAIRARAPA. Full-back, L. Roach T4#o. Three-quarters— Oliver 11.10, G. Stringfellow (captain) 12.8, F. Fitzgerald 22.8. ■ * ■ Five-eighths, J. Trafcp 12.0, B. Clark . 12.0. Half-back, I. Hart 11.12. Forwards —F. Anderron 13.1£. F. Day 12.2, K. Fairbrother 14.3, F.- Smith 14.0, S. Best 12.4, R. Devine 12.6, M. M'Gregoi 14.7, and M. Parker (wing-forward) 13.0. / ' FIRST SPELL. .The Greens kicked off from the Cargill road end, and from The first bit of passing by the visitors Trapp knocked on. From a scramble Clark punted through to Bush, who was beaten by the bounce of the ball, but recovered himself and ran along his left wing. The ball went to Bathgate, and after Souter. Finlayson. Fookes (who cut in), and Simon had handled W. Allen went over at the right corner, the game having been in progress only three minutes. Bush missed with the goal kick. ’ Otago- .. .. .. •.. ! 3.points. . .Wairarapa. ;. .. • Nil. • Hard scrumming took place at midfield, the forwards heaving away at each other, amidst much laughter, till they collapsed across the side line. Passing by The Green backs again broke down at Trapp, and Wilson came away from midfield with a dribble. The Green backs started‘to throw the .ball about, S. but their passing failed to gain them ' much ground. Bathgate punted to Roach, who found the line at the centre flag, and from the throw in the ball was passed out to Clark, who cut in nicely, but the movement was quickly stifled. The Green brqak-away forwards were coming round quickly on to Simon, and were twice penalised in quick succession, Souter missing. with both shots and the Greens forcings Bathgate went down on the ball in the face of a Green forward rush, and the Blues again attacked. Fookes getting in a nice line kick.. Best got offside at a scrum, and Souter failed with a third penalty shot, the Greens forcing. Bus!] sent ba"k from the kick out with a beau-' tiful line-finder. The Greens could not lift the pressure, and the Blue forwards were hooking the the ball well from the scrums. From a scrum at the Greens twenty-five Simon sent out to Bathgate, who passed to'Fookes. to M'Kenzie, the last-named racing for his left corner nag and getting there before Roach could come across. Bush miFsecl the goal kick. Otago •• 6. points. Wairarapa .. Nil.

Twenty / minutes of the first snell had passed, and the ex-Otago and Kaikorai ■wring three-quarter (Oliver) went on. and was replaced by W. Clarke. Wilson showed out in a break through from a line out at midfield, and punted to Roach, who kicked out. The Blue pack con- • tinued to hold the upper hand, and Giles punted to the Greens’ goal, Simon forcing Stringfellow back over his line. From the ensuing scrum a Blue forward got offside, but the free kick did not bring much relief to the Greens. Fookes came ’ intd passing, and punted to Roach, who sent back to Bush, the last-named, just missing with a fine drop kick froin 4D yards out. ~ ,■. , , W. Allen fumbled at the end of a pretty piece of passing by the Blues' backs. A scrum was formed at the Greens’ left corner, and the ball shot across the line, Simon getting to it first. Souter missed the goal kick. Otago .. .. V. .. •• O points. Wairarapa .. • • • • Nil. For the first time in 25 minutes’ play the visitors got to near the Blues’ twentyfive, but R. Allen sent back with a fine line kick from a penalty. Good saving work by Bathgate, and also by B. Clark, tol- ' lowed, and after some rather ragged play Souter broke away from a scrum, and Roach was collared with the ball. From a scrum the ball was passed to Fookes, who punted too hard, and the Greens forced. The Blues were battling hard in the Greens’ twenty-five, but they could not finish off their attack. Then fumbling by the Blue backs let Trapp clean through. The play swung to the home side’s right corner, where the ball was thrown back by a Blue man and taken offside by one of the attacking players. He was caught, and the play swung across the Blues’ goal mouth to Fitzgerald, who dashed through to give Trapp a clean run over on his right wing. Fitzgerald missed with the goal kick. Otago 9 points. Wairarapa 3 points. This was the first time the Greens had got to the Blue’ line after 35 minutes play. The Blues came again, and Roach saved well in the face of a Blue forward '' rush. Clark stopped another attacking movement, and Stringfellow helped his eide with a fine line kick. Back came i: the Blues, Simon passing to W. Allen on the blind side. The Blue wing threequarter kicked too hard, and the Greens forced The Greens carried play past the half-way, where Clarke charged down a Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. First t. for Coughs, Colds, Influenza.—Advt.

kick by Giles. Bush was handy, however, and kicked out at the centre flag, and the" half time whistle went shortly after. Otago 9 points, Wairarapa 3 points. THE SECOND SPELL.

From the kick-off on the resumption the Blue forwards followed up quickly and caught /as Green man in possession. From the ensuing scrum the ball went out to Giles, who cut in nicely but was collared from behind. The ball was kicked to Fookes, who sent it into touch well inside the Wairarapa twenty-five. Otago passing lost ground, but Bathgate came into the movement a second time and put the ball out near the line. Again the Blues secured, but Trapp cut into a dangerous movement and dribbled nearly to halfway. After Fookes had made a fine run down the centre of the field. Otago was penalised. Bush failed to find touch with the return kick, and Roach gained the line with a fine kick to halfway. From the line out the ball went from Hart, to W. Calrke, to Stringfellow, who was forced out. The Greens kept up the attack, and, following a punt by \\ Clarke, Bush was collared in possession in front of his own goal. The Wairarapa backs strove to drive home the advantage, but their passing gained no ground, and, after an exchange of kicks, R. Allen extricated the Blues from a difficult position by dribbling nearly to halfway. Forcing their way back to the twenty-five, the Green forwards sent the ball out to B. Clark, who ran straight through the Otago defence until, a few yards from the line, he was checked by Bush, and threw | the ball forward. From the ensuing scrum the Greens still pressed, but Here Dicked up and passed to Fookes. the. ball aefng transferred to Giles, 0 to Simon, the movement gaining 40 yards and putting the visitors once more on defence. They were not at a disadvantage for long, how; ever, Smjth dribbling upfield after loose play and forcing Bush to find the line hurriedly. Bush again failed to reach touch with another penalty, and the Green forwards responded with a solid rush, which ended in hard scrummaging in the Otago twenty-five’ Simon some relief with a line kick, and then Fookes, Giles, and Allen combined in a useful movement. Allen’s kick was charged down, but Giles was handy and made no mistake about finding the line. So far the Greens had been playing with much greater dash, but the play generally had been ragged. An Otago attack ended in the Greens’ twenty-five, but the defending forwards cleared to halfway. The Otago backs were now making greater uSe of the line, Bush and W. Allen both being responsible for strong kicks which placed the Blues in an attacking position. In a passing rush Fookes kicked high towards the right corner. Giles and W. Allen followed up fast, and it seemed that a try must be certain if the bounce favoured them. It went to Roach, however, and he made no mistake about finding touch. Twenty minutes after the start of the spell Wilson went off with an injury and was replaced by Watts, Hartnell playing as lock. After a period of ragged play, Hart initiated a dangerous movement, sending out to Stringfellow,. who received the ball again after W. Glarke had handled. He could not find a gap in the defence, however, and, after loose play, Finlayson broke away and passed to Here, who sent out to Souter, the Alhambra man kicking out at halfway. The Greens responded with a passing effort, but Simon sent M'Kenzie aWay on a long run which put the Blues once more in an attacking position. Play for some time lacked incident until Fookes tried a centre kick. W. Allan followed up fast and caught Roach in possesion. Twice Otago passing rushes were broken up, and then Fookes failed in an attempt to pot a goal. Even play followed, but Fitzgerald and Trapp combined in a useful effort on the wing. Fitzgerald was injured in th* subsequent play and had to leave the field, his place being' taken by Parker, Bull going into the pack and Devine to wingforward. Stringfellow failed with a penalty shot from 45 yards out, and play rested at Otago’s twenty-five. Here the Blues were awarded a penalty. The ball was given to Fookes, who tried a trick which he introduced in a match early in the season.. He kicked the ball a couple of feet and caught it again, passing out, to Bathgate, who made a short dash and passed to Giles. The Pirates man made a clever run down the side line, drew the full-back, and passed to W. Allen, who had a clear run in and scored at the corner from one of the brightest, movements of the day. From Bush’s kick the ball wet just outside the posts. The game ended a few. minutes afterwards with the scores:— • ’ ' - Otago 12 points. Wairarapa .. 3 points. , Mr A. Fleury was the referee. PIRATES A v. ALHAMBRA B The match between these two leading teams in the junior competition provided a ke%n contest. The forwards were evenly matched, but the Pirates rearguard were faster and cleverer than the opposing rearguard. Early in the game Alhambra secured a penalty goal, and then after the Blacks had battled away at the defence for some time Richards scored for Pirates, the goal kick failing. In the second spell Watson, the Blacks wing-three-quarter, finished off a good passing movement, going round behind the posts, and Jones kicking a goal. In the closing stages of the game Alhambra attacked strongly, but they could not cross their opponents’ line. Pirates therefore won by 8 points- to 3 points. Mr J. Hayes was the referee. FOURTH GRADE.Union 12, M'Glashan 5. CANTERBURY DEFEATED SOUTH CANTERBURY’S GOOD SHOWING. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. South Canterbury defeated Canterbury by 21 points to 9 this afternoon. The form and combination of the visitors appeared to surprise the home team, which failed to settle down in the first spell, in' /which they had the advantage of toe wind. The spell ended six points all. Canterbury were outplayed back and forwards in the second spell by a team which was a fine battling side. Canterbury’s form against the deadly spoiling and weight of the visitors was generally disappointing, and several of the new men in the side fell far helow expectations. South Canterbury was the best combined team Cantcibury has met this season. Their victory was well deserved. The home side lost, all the combination which had been worked up in the previous matches against Southland and Wairarapa. For the winners tries were scored by M'Donald, Morrison, and Callanan. Callanan's try Was,converted by Strang. Penalty goals were kicked by Dick and sprang, and Connolly potted a goal. Canterbury’s score was made up of tries by Inonapson and Oliver, and a penalty goal by Edwards.

IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND COMPETITION. ' (Peg United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 9. Grammar 8, Ponspnby 3. University 6. Marist 3. Manukau 11, Collegejßifles 3. Training College 10. Grafton 10. Technical Old Boys 11, City 6. The competition was won by the Auckland Grammar team. WELLINGTON MATCHES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 9. Hutt won the Senior Championship by defeating Marist by 9 points to 3. Ponek'e 8, Wellington nil. Old Boys 18, Eastbourne 16. Berhampore 0. Oriental 6. Petone 16. Athletic 6. University 19, Miramar 6. i INVERCARGILL GAMES. (Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, August 9. Invercargill 8, Old Boys 3. Pirates 30, Waikiwi nil.

'' SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, August 8. Te Ante Maori College defeated New Plymouth Boys’ High School by 13 points to nil. Both teams gave a brilliant ex hibition, but the Te Aute boys were too heavy for School. NORTH ISLAND TEAM (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 8. The North Island team to meet the South Island has been selected as follows: BACKS. Full-back—Kerr (North Auckland). Three-nuarters Oliver (Wairarapa), Cooke (Hawke’s Bay), Ball (WellingtC Five-eighths Nieholls (Wellington), Lilburne (Wellington). Half-back— Kilby (Wellington). FORWARDS. Wing—Solomon (Auckland). Hookers —Hadley (Auckland), Reid (Wairarapa).

Lock—Steerc (Hawke’s Bay). Sides—M'Lean (Wellington), Cameron (Waikato). Back row—Anderson (Hawke’s Bay), Ratty (Auckland). Emergencies—Back, Watson j (Taranaki); forward, Wanoa (Hawke’s Bay). The team is to assemble at Wellington on Friday morning. Mr J. Scott, of Hawke’s Bay, has been appointed referee for the match.