SURPRISE OF THE SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24613, 22 May 1941, Page 4

SURPRISE OF THE SEASON

A surprise “ out of the box ” was Taieri’s exciting win against University A last Saturday. The University team was not at full strength, and, in particular, a slow and generally erratic service from the scrum did nothing to help the set of fast three-quarters The scrum was not greatly weakened, and the Light Blue forwards worked well. At the end of the first half, University seemed to be well on the way to another convincing win: but as the bustling Taieri forwards began to smash through the University inside backs and gradually'overhauled University's lead, their determination grew stronger and stronger, and the win was earned by sheer keenness. If any one plaver deserved particular honours, it was" K. Giles, the Taieri forward. He kicked three very fine goals and kept the whole side up to a high pitch oenergy when University fought back. He worked like a Trojan in the tight and in the loose and still had a surplus of energy to cover up any of his backs when danger threatened. His was one of the finest all-round displays given by a forward on Carisbrook for some time, and it is no reflections the others in the side to give him the lion s share of praise for his team s win. New Players The acquisition of two Canterbury players—O’Rawe, late of Thistle, and Davev (Technical) —should considerably strengthen the Northern Association football senior eleven. Against Old Boys on Saturday. O Rawe. in the centre forward position, disclosed nippiness in attack and an ability to direct play so soundly as to be disconcerting to Old Boys’ defence. This was his first appearance with theßlack and Whites, and he fully deserved the honour of recording the “ hat trick. Davey in goal, who by the way was a member of the last New Zealand schoolboy team which had such a successful tour in Australia, appears most capable in the position, where his height and activity should be of service. Although he was beaten four tinj-s, one goal resulted from crowding by his backs. Clarke, of Old Boys, who also toured Australia with the same team and who has been coming along steadily in the inside left position, has decided to stand down for a time. A recurrence of muscle trouble on Satuiday forced him to take up the outside position. The break is unfortunate for Old Boys, as. under Groves's guidance. North and Clarke were developing fine cohesion in attacking movements.

Pleasing the Crowd Although there might not be 3 high degree of “ finish in the play of teams in the Otago Rugby Union’s championship competition this season, without a doubt the matches are proving more interesting than was generally expected. Three of the four series so far played have provided very keen finishes to excite the Carisbrook crowds, and the game of last Saturday, in which Taien beat University A by 17 points to 16, was as spectacular a display as could be wished for. A continuation of that type of football will soon have public interest as keen as ever. For that matter, there have been good crowds at Carisbrook every week, and there is sufficient promising material available to ensure that this year’s Otago side will be strong enough to “ keep its public. Hockey Umpires’ Secretary As a result of Heavier duties falling on his shoulders during the week, Mr D. Miller, secretary of the Otago Hockey Umpires’ Association and delegate from that body to the Otago Women’s Association, has had to relinquish these offices. For several years Mr Miller took a keen and active interest in women’s hockey in Dunedin. Last season he again gave his services as an umpire and executive officer, only to find it impossible to carry on this year. He will still be out with the whistle on Saturdays, but he will be replaced on the Umpires’ and Women’s Associations by Mr F. L. Scrivener. Although comparatiyely a newcomer to the game, Mr Scrivener is among the keenest of its supporters to-day. and will undoubtedly give valuable service. Try-getting Forward The outstanding member of the Pirates pack, which outplayed the University B forwards on Saturday was J. Lanauze. who scored no fewer than three of his side’s tries. At all times a solid packman Lanauze could also have been taken as one of the best of the Pirates’ backs by the manner in which he sped cownfield, brushing off any would-be tacklers. to score The whole vanguard worked hard on Saturday and impressed as a unit to be reckoned with by any team; but the forwards’ display was enhanced by the weakness of the opposition