LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21980, 15 June 1933, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

By Forward. With the completion of the first round of matches in the championship of the Otago Hugby League, the competition still has a very open appearance so far as three teams are concerned. Christian Brothers, which has not suffered one defeat, is in the lead, followed by Pacific, which is three points behind the leaders, and then by City, five points behind Christian Brothers. Athletic has not succeeded in securing any championship points, having been beaten in the seven matches played to date. Christian Brothers have had at least two strenuous encounters. These were against Pacific earlier in the season and against City last Saturday, both matches being drawn. City’s play has improved to such a marked extent, and is still improving each week, that the tables may be turned when the side meets Christian Brothers again. Still, Christian Brothers is a hard proposition for any team.

The first round has produced some good contests, especially between the leading teams, and even keener matches should be seen in the present round. The form of City and Pacific shows that either of these teams is capable of springing a surprise on the team at the top of the championship table. The great surprise of last Saturday’s matches was the unproved form shown by Athletic, which easily held its own against Pacific in the first half of the game. The Athletic boys should feel the benefit of last week’s training in no unmistakable manner. The Athletic forwards and backs combined with such success for a time \ that the opposition was taken by surprise. Munro and J. Duncan played a great game in the forwards, as did Tobin up to the time he received a head injury. It was after Tobin was carried off that Pacific scored most of its, points. L. M'Donald was in his former position at full-back for Athletic, and showed his usual dash. The whole Athletic side gave a good account of itself. , , -

In the fixture between Christian Brothers and City, many spectators thought City deserved to win. The game was not of a very high standard. The Christian Brothers’ backs did not display their best combination in the first spell, and but for the splendid work of the forwards, City would probably have scored more points. The Greens missed B. O’Connor, who has been playing brilliant football at half-back. O’Malley filled this position in the second spell, and this seemed to give a better sense of security to the backs, as he played a really fine game.. In the forward division. the bulk of the work fell on T. O’Connor, _J. O’Connor, • and A. Culling. whose brilliant attacks greatly worried the opposition. City kept the game, tight, and a wary eye was always kept on Lovelock, who proved such a thorn in the side of Pacific nearly three weeks ago. Lovelock received a fair share of the ball from the inside backs on Saturday but he was so carefully marked that he was given few opportunities. The Green backs gave a greatly irapioved exhibition in_ the second spell, when they succeeded in opening up the game and threw the .ball about with more success. The City forwards never lost an opportunity and much credit is due to Cinders and Williams for high-class performances. On his play all through this season Ginders is assured of a place in the Otago representative team. Nelson showed his usual thrust and initiative, but he will persist in holding on to the ball too long, when his supports are waiting for it, Hayden, the City full-back, again made a great impression. The game was played at a fast pace all through the second half, and as the tackling was so sure on both sides, the backs were seldom given a scoring chance. Although the game between Pacific and Athletic was fairly evenly contested, it was not until the second half that Papific gained the upper hand. Aston and Bunts played well in the Pacific forwards, while the backs gave a good exhibition. One of the most pleasing features of the game was the form shown by the Pacific rearguard, _ which ■■ combined very effectively. .Reid made his reappearance and played in the full-back position.