LEAGUE FOOTBALL OTAGO RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22019, 31 July 1933, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

OTAGO RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH OTAGO DEFEATS CANTERBURY ' League football of a high standard was played between the Canterbury and Otago teams at the Caledonian Ground on baturday afternoon under ideal conditions. It was the first representative match of the season, and the. spectators, estimated at fully 000, were given an opportunity to witness a fast, open game. In the Canterbury team W. Rogers replaced Ward in the forwards, while E.M Kewen was absent from the Otago side owing to a leg injury received in the last local ( game. His place was filled by J. OMal- ] fey, and B. O’Connor went to half-back. A feature of the game, which was played in a fine spirit, was the bright play ot the Otago backs, who threw the ball about in great style. The Canterbury side showed an inclination to keep the game too tight, and the backs were not given the same opportunities as the Otago rearguard. The second half was played at a fast pace, and Otago had the visitors on the defence for the greater part of this spell. Each side scored a try in the first half, but Otago finished up by heating Canterbury by 9 points to 3. 10wards the end of the first half F. Butler, one of the Canterbury forwards, had his left collarbone broken when he went down to an Otago rush. He received attention at the hands of the ambulance men and Dr Reid. Butler was replaced by L. Forbes. The teams were as follows: — Canterbury.—Full-back, W. Palamountain; three-quarters C. Brimble, B. Ayres, R. Chaston; five-eighths. H. Raistrick, L. Merson; half-back. T. Preston (captain): forwards —j T. Manning, W. Rogers, F. Butler, E. Bamberger, J. Madden, and B. Fraser. Otago—Full-back, C. Hayden; threequarters— L. Foote, J. Blackwood; five-eighths, J. O’Malley, L. Schmelz: half-back, B. O’Connor; forwards —W. Bartholomew, J. O’Connor, J. Ginders, P. Reid, F. Grenfell, T. O’Connor (captain). Otago kicked off, having the north-east wind in its favour. Good play by Preston, Raistrick, and Merson put Otago on the defence. Palamountain sent the hall into Otago’s territory with a strong kick, but Hayden forced the visitors back. B. O’Connor, O’Malley, and MLennan then broke away in a fine passing movement, but the last-named dropped his pass when near the line. Another spectacular passing movement by the Otago backs looked dangerous, but M'Lennan again dropped the pass from Schmelz. Canterbury had a brief respite, and O’Malley, then started a passing movement in which both backs and forwards took a hand, and M'Lennan was almost over. Reid was prominent in every Otago movement. O’Malley again sent his supports away, and Ginders, following up fast, just lost the ball on the line. Manning cleared. Again the Otago hacks swept down the field in a passing movement, and it was «nly good tackling that prevented a score. Hayden penetrated into Canterbury’s twenty-five, where he had a, shot at goal, the ball just passing outside the posts. The next incident of note was a_ passing rush by the Canterbury backs, in which Preston, Raistrick, Ayres, and Brimble were prominent. The last named was well tackled by Blackwood in Otago’s twenty-five. A few minutes later Bamberger led a Canterbury rush, but J. O’Connor saved. Playing with great combination Otago gradually wore down the opposition. Grenfell secured near Canterbury’s line, and when tackled passed to Ginders. who beat the opposition by exploiting the dummy pass and scored wide out. Foote was unfortunate with the kick, the ball striking one of the posts. Otago 3 points. Canterbury .. .. .. Nil. Otago again attacked, the backs being seen in fine passing movements. M'Lennan secured near halfway and passed to Foote, who sprinted down the side line to be thrown out within a few yards of the visitors’ line. A few minutes later, Blackwood secured and raced for the line, but Ginders failed to accept his pass. The fast Canterbury three-quarter (Brimble) then figured in a bright movement near halfway. The ball travelled from Brimble to Manning, to Raistrick, to Madden, the last-named player having a clear field from the Otago twenty-five, and he went over for a splendid try. Ayres failed with the kick. At half time the scores were: — Otago 3 points. Canterbury 3 points. Immediately on the resumption the Canterbury backs came into action, _ and play was confined to Otago’s territory until Reid secured, the Otago backs then removing play to the other end. B. O’Connor, Blackwood, and Ginders carried on the movement, the last-named being held up on Canterbury’s line. Bartholomew picked up quickly and pushed his way over for a try, which B. O’Connor failed to convert. Otago i .. i 6 points. Canterbury 3 points. Another onslaught by the Otago forwards sent Canterbury back, Merson saving. Otago repeatedly penetrated deep into the visitors’ territory, and it was only splendid tackling that kept Otago’s score down. At one stage Schemlz made a dive for the line, but he was brought down by Merson just in time. The pace became faster in the closing stages, and there were several stoppages owing to minor injuries to players of both teams. In the last few minutes there was some exciting play near Canterbury’s line. Foote secured and passed to Ginders, who flashed over at the corner. Foote failed - with the kick. The final scores were:— Otago 9 points. Canterbury ’ 3 points. Mr A. Eckhoff was referee. HAWKE’S BAY v. TARANAKI (Per United Press Association.) NAPIER, July 29. In a League interprovinciul match at Napier on Saturday before an attendance of 4000 persons, Hawke’s Bay drew witli Taranaki —17 points each —in a fast, open game. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe attended. Hawke’s Bay made a splendid showing in its first representative game for 10 years. For Hawke’s Bay the scorers were: Smith (two tries, three conversions and one penalty) and Lister j (a try). For Taranaki Hunt scored I three tries and kicked a penalty goal. M’Donald and L. Moorhead each scored a try. __ IN OTHER CENTRES (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 30. Roope Roostqr (City) 15, Dovonport 8. Diarist 20, Ponsonby 13. Richmond 29, Newton 15. CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. Sydenham 15, Pirates 3. Hornby 10, Riccarton 5. Addington 27, New Brighton 12.

Back row: B. Eckhoff (referee),,L. Schmelz, L. Foote, J, Blackwood, C. Haden, J. MLennan. Front row: J. O’Malley, J. O’Connor, P. Reid, J. Ginders, T. O’Connor (captain), W. Bartholomew, J. O’Connor.