RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24604, 12 May 1941, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

,*. DUNEDIN BEATS KAIKORAI PIRATES BEATEN IN LAST MINUTE i Grade Rugby was played in Dunedin on Saturday in perfect football weather and on grounds that could scarcely have been in better condition. In spite of this, the two matches at Carisbrook did not produce particularly interesting football, and easily the best game of the day was that at Bishopscourt, in which Dunedin beat Kaikorai narrowly. The surprise of the day was the lastminute win of Zingari-Richmond against Pirates. The results were as follows: University A 27, Alhambra 3. Southern 8. Union G. Dunedin 12, Kaikorai 9. University B 6, Taieri 6. Zingari-Richmond 9, Pirates 7. \ This was the third series of matches, and University A and Dunedin are together at the' head of the competition table with 6 points each. Southern follow with 5 points, Zingari-Richmond and University B each have 4, Pirates 2, Kaikorai, Taieri and Alhambra each 1, and Union have been beaten three times. Outclassed.—The only feature that kept the University A v. Alhambra match, the main game at Carisbrook, at all interesting, was the bursts made from time to time by the University backs. University won by 27 points to 3, and the score could have been larger. The tackling of the young Alhambra backs was woefully weak, and after a few annihilating rushes, the Light Blue backs did not exert, themselves very consistently and the play became ragged and aimless. With R. J. McDonald and I. Mockford leading them, the Alhambra forwards worked hard and held their own in the tight. But, as soon as the ball was free of the forwards, any comparison ended. All the University tries came from breaks in the open, in which the struggling Alhambra players were overwhelmed by pace R. McKenzie (two), J W. Green (two). M. Lino, D. Gudex and R. L Jones all scored tries, and -Murdoch kicked three goals from tries. Alhambra's only try was scored by B. Taylor after D. Leckie had cut through the University defence. Mr E. H. Dickey was the referee. A Scrappy Exhibition.—Southern won a scrambling match against Union by 8 points to 6. It was the early match at Carisbrook, and it included only an odd bright patch to entertain the crowd. The quality of the play is indicated by the fact that there was only one try scored, despite all the opportunities. The Southern scrum got plenty of ball, but it seldom reached the three-quarters cleanly. Both sides smothered effectively, and the Union forwards, led by J. Walker and V. Newall, rucked strongly. A. Churchill, the Southern centre threequarter, scored the only try of the match, a good one, after some clean passing. White kicked the goal, and added a penalty goal in the second half. W. Fleming and T. Freeman kicked a penalty goal apiece for Union. Mr S. J. McConnell was the referee. Fast but Ragged—Zingari-Richmond met Pirates at the Caledonian Ground, and after a fast, but rather ragged game, secured a well-deserved win right on the call of time by 9 points to 7 points. The Pirates forwards, for whom Lanauze was always prominent, attacked strongly from the start, but the passing of the backs was going straight across the ground. Then the Zingari forwards took charge of the game and had the Blacks under pressure till the end of the spell, when the Hill team led by 3 points to nil. A. Mason, scoring with a penalty goal, in the second spell, Pirates took the lead when Webster (full-back) came up to take a pass from Payne, the Pirates half-back. The move was successful, Webster potting a goal. The Hill forwards came again, and after some desperate attacks near the line Plunkett put his side in front again, but Pirates were in the lead once more when Webster placed a penalty from straight in front. With only a few minutes to go, the Zingari forwards were seen in some dashing loose rushes, and after a short passing movement Fleury went over in the arms oi a Pirates player, and the final whistle went. Dunedin Win Again.—Dunedin's forwards were too heavy for the Kaikorai Dack at Bishopscourt and paved the way for a win by 12 points to 9. Although the hill forwards battled hard, their nippy inside backs did not receivp enough of the ball. The first SDell was even and unexciting except for a spectacular try by A. Austin, the Kaikorai wing. who. with the defence out of position and a clear field in front of him scored from ins/de his own halfway mark. About halfway through the second spell Dunedin were leading by 12 points to 3, when the Kaikorai forwards livened up. and with R. Jaffray and K. Calder making excellent bursts, came within three points of Dunedin's score. Dunedin fought back. however, and were attacking at the call of time. For Dunedin. D. Lowe and D. Davidson scored, and A. Manion kicked two penalty goals. Kaikorai's points came from tries by A. Austin (2) and W. Davie. University B and Taieri Draw.—Although it had' superior weight in the forwards and dominated much of the back play. Taieri could only draw. 0 points all. with University B on the University Oval. In the first half Taieri had a definite territorial advantage, and constantly drove into University's twenty-five by means of hard packing and fast back movements. The University tackling, however was severe, end only once was a Taieri player able to cross the line In the second half the Light Blues showed better staying power than their opponents and frequently had Taieri on the defensive, occasional lively dashes bv the back line gaining considerable ground before the Taieri defence was rble to stem the rushes. For Taieri. Sizemorc. who played a sound game on the wing scored a try and McLeod kicked a penalty goal. Tries were scored for University B by Thompson and Laneham. Mr J R Caradus was the referee. IN OTHER CENTRES Wellington.—Wellington 11, St Patrick's College Old Boys 8; Athletic 24. University 3; Eastbourne 34, Oriental 3; Petone 23, Poneke 8; Johnsonville 8. Wellington College Old Bovs 6: Marisl 22. Hutt 6. Christchurch.—Christchurch 27 Godley Head 3: Linwood 13, Sunnyside 3; University 5. Athletic 3; New Brighton 28, Albion 13; Old Boys 18. Wigram 6: Army 11. Technical 3: Air Force 17 Southern nil. Invercargill.—Old Boys 21. Matauru 12; Pirates <5. Star 6: Marist 11. Invercargill 5.