SPORTS OF ALL KINDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 4

SPORTS OF ALL KINDS

OTAGO’S DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY AGAINST CANTERBURY

-7* AFTER the Dark Blues’ reassuring A display against Southland at Invercargill in their first representative engagement of the season, , Otago Rugby football supporters had reason to expect, something much ). better than the exhibition that justified Otago’s defeat by Canterbury at Carisbrook last Saturday': Although the score was 11 points to 10 and. Otago had a great chance of saving the match in the last two or three minutes, a win for the home side would not have been earned and, in ; fact, would have given an altogether wrong impression of the trend of the game. . ■> It is difficult to criticise harsh L-v when club and provincial teams are suffering so heavily from departures to active war service; but even withfull allowance madelor this consider a: , tion. few of the 7000- spectators who - saw this game could have; cause for satisfaction in the-quality of the Rugby. Undoubtedly the Red-and-Bl»cks were the better side bii the day; but they, too, made roany mlstakes . and they owed their superiority to ... the dash of their forwards and to So ft!e? that the first five-eighth ■% showed some penetr»tlon, ahd J. ii S. Cartwright, on the left-wing. ■ endorsed hb reputation as a threequarter of AH Black ' class. The work of the Otago forwards was 7 strangely lacking In the soundness that ■is expected- ’of -OtMO-- Pdcks''A. A Parkhill made a great effort to get hi? men into their stride, but their packing v : was hot a credit to them and the visu--7 ing forwards established -a; definite - superiority in set scrums, line outs ana v rucks. It was noticeable that one or r— • two Otago forwards —T.- Wallace, the Southern front-ranker, who came into the side in place of P. B. Fox. was a i paiticular offender, in this respect—- • stood oft with the result that time after tlma the tall, energetic vi Canterbury ■ forwwds were able to : i break through.and open up efflective fS rushes. Ot«o . spectators .are not ac- % customed ; F feeing their towards beaten itfikich a way. They had r, l-small advantuge int weight but they ; : did not put it to any practical use. ! ®- At the same time, credit should be • / given to 'theVGanterbury forwards for an, effective exhibition of fast, bustlm* IfootbalL D. Herman, A. Long, A. D " McKenzie and D. Hayles alLused their ‘ Height ahd dash. and J. W Gordon proved himself ;• a hooker well up to representative The .whole pack playpd with “ devil, and the fast breaking of the aide-row men and the. quickness of the others in getting out. Into the open play drove all the Otago , rmiqff .almost straight across field. Except for the burst round the scrum ' ; byX. Woodhouse which resulted in J. ,* Lanau*e’s try. and a very occasiona l break up the middle of the field bv AA. Manlon, the Otago Inside backs had 4 * ho counter to this fast smothering, and the outcome was that their three-quar-teri had.no chance'to show their paces V After the Invercargill performance—on a very wet ground, it should be remembered —the selectors could not

be blamed for putting their faith in the same team; except for withdrawals owing to ifijury. £or the setond match; but this' experience oh a better ground’ and with conditions favourable to open played showed up the weaknesses of the combination. Perhaps many of its • mistakes could be excused, but there Is no excuse for the high and erratic tackling that allowed the Canterbury backs to break through so often jganion. for example, could not cope with the trickv and clever J. Roach young , five-eighth who promises to go a long way in the game. Manion was in a great hurry to get at him whenever the ball came out on the Canterbury, side, but Roach found it easy to sidestep the rushes of the Otago player and he ran through on either side of him to start most of the Red-and-Blaqks’ passing movement*! Beach made the Otago defence near the serum look very weak, ' and the way in which he gathered the b*H on the ground and re- - / started passing stamped him as a player of great promise. He main- . talned contact with the men out- . dde him excellently and took a prominent part .in two of Canterbvy’a tries,. = * ■ • ' the exception of Cartwright. ; s the other Canterbury backs were not - brilliant, although ;W. Argus, a tall. ;• strong-runmriff centre; ran through many of B. L. Jones’s high tackles i- Cartwright is an unusually long-strid-ing player, and Has a highly effective fend. He has built up a fine reputa-

tion in Canterbury football, and his display in this game indicated that all the good, things that haye been said about him are justified. He should not have been allowed to score f his try, which was made possible only by deplorably weak tackling; but he, did all his work in the style of a top-class three-quarter. •’ • For the return Southland match, on August 23, it can be expected that at least one or two changes will be made in'the Otago side. No doubt, M. N Paewai will be fit again by that time, and the singular inability of Manlon to gather his passes in the early stages of this, game might, influence the selectors ah'- playing, either D. Murdoch or R. Jaffray-next to Paewai The recent displays of the Pirates half-back, P, Ongley, must Have brought him into the running as a. rival to Paewai; Woodhouse 1 played soundly behind the scrum after Paewai was hurt, but Manion’s hifndling took a long time to improve. Paewtei’s passing is, a problem for any first five-eighth, .but it is possible that the University player would have been more successful in ipening up play round’ the scrum. He is Uhorthodox and most elusive, and he might .have been able to upset. the dominance of the Canterbury inside backs and fastbreaking forwards. Another change might be on the left wing. J.- W Green, the right winger, had very little opportunity on attack, and found Cartwright a handful, but more of the play went to A. t E. Churchill’s wing He was seldom allowed much room, but it was evident that he had little prospect of beating his man No doubt tlge injuries he has suffered have caused him subcon-

;.v2',£ -■■■ J. I4NAII«|t ■ sciously to slow up wheni approaching a tackier, and he has hot 1 developed a lend or a sidestep to get him , past an opponent. For all that the wingers had so little scope Ih thta game that It ' would be unfair focondemn them be* cause ■6l it. Jones made a ■ good> run or two, but neither he nor J; C. Kearney was able to straighten op the movements that began so diagonally. Kearney’s backing up was good, and he got through a lot of valuable work on defence. It was a hard match for a young full-back playing in his first representative game, and it cannot be said that A. Mason lost many friends through his display- He was badly at fault when Cartwright scored, of course, and he missed the chance of kicking the goal at the end of the game that would have given Otago a win and compensated for that blunder, but his fielding and kicking for touch were fairly con* sistent It is doubtful if he is ready for big football yet, , however. All of his work needs to be smartened up and made more resolute, and he should develop a safer height in his punting. The appearance in the scrum of 1. Prior, also playing in his first representative match, was interesting. The University forward did much good work in lirte outs and rucks, hut he packed clumsily, and was slow to get back when the play was behind him. K. Thompson, W. Murphy, W. H. Jolly, and J. Walker all worked hard in the tight* and Lahauze showed plenty of dash in the open and was always up with passing close to the scrutn. But there was something lacking in the Otago pack. It did not have the customary Dark Blue compactness and “ devil ” in the tight or in the loose, and a big improvement will be expected.

Giving Canterbury foil credit for a win which was earned beyond all question, the game was a disappointment. It will be surprising if the Otago team docs not produce much better form against the Maroons and in Christchurch on August 30. Promising Country Players Several of the players in the South Otago-Eastern Districts game at Carisbrook on Saturday caught the eye as players of distinct possibilities. Noticeable among them were C. Willocks, a South Otago forward, and R. Orange, the Eastern Districts first five-eighths. Willocks, who made a favourable impression when he appeared in the match against the Metropolitan team recently, was up with the play at all times and frequently burst through with the ball at his feet. His line-out work was also outstanding. Orange was not particularly prominent in the early stages of the game, but in the second half he made a number of really brilliant runs, which were wasted because there was no one in support. A Forrester, the South Otago full-back, who also played in the Country game against the Metropolitan side, did not quite reproduce his best fqrm in this match, but nevertheless played a most serviceable game.

A CLEVER COMBINATION The personnel of* the Otago basketball team reads as a clever combination. In the forward third three of the four players—Joyce Clayton (captain), Dot Adams (vice-captain) and Islay Purdie—have previously won representative honours. The fourth, Jean Roydhouse, has been prominent in trials. J. Clayton and D. Adams combine excellently and both possess speed of foot and exceptionally fast handling of the ball. L: Purdie also possesses the latter quality in a high degree and is particularly outstanding in defensive play in the forward third. J. Roydhouse is the most graceful member of the third and her movements often appear to be quite effortless. She is also an accurate shot. Three of the four centres also held positions in the team last year. The centre is still lead by Queenie Phelan, Betty Neill. Shirley Parker and Mary Stewart are all speedy players who are reliable both on defence and attack. S. Parker is new to representative play, but the consistency of ' her game throughput the season indicates good team temperament. The defence third shows no changes, from the 151,40 combination. Jessie McLean retains her position as goal defence, and her play throughout the season has been an important factor in University’s success. She is receiving great support from Violet Ingram, while Nancy Hanlin and Winnie Dunn are again playing outstanding games. The team is-expected to play excellent basketball. Well Deterred Win

The annual Brighton-Green Island Road Race conducted by the Caversham Club resulted in a richly deserved win for A. J. Barr, one of the keenest and most useful members of the club. Barr, with 3min 30sec handicap from G. L. Austin, went into the lead about halfway, and went on to win by 250 yards in 36min 25sec, second fastest time. Barr has been prominent in road races for some seasons, and each summer he wins numerous events both on the track and in the field. Apart from Barr - and Austin, others who ran well were S. A, Lenz, L. L. Hebbard, and C. McGregor. Tp Defend Hi* Title

H. Nelson, the brilliant Civil Service junior, will be defending his South Island Junior Cross-country title this month in spite: of the fact that _he will be in camp when the event takes place at Timaru on August 23 This event,, which will be held on the same day as the Temuka-Timaru Road Race, is over SJ miles and has attracted strong entries from the Civil Service end' Gaversham Clubs. Civil Service won, the teems’ - event last year and it seems more than, likely that it will be successful again, this month. A Bowling Pmonality

' James McPherson, who died in Dunedin on Sunday, had been well known in .DuMdin; bowling circles for several yeani He came from Glasgow many -years -ago,’ find at that - time knew nothing about bowling. He took up his, residence at West Harbour, however. joined the local bowling club, and quickly demonstrated his ability as a lead in fours and pairs. In 1934 he and J. Veitch won the Dominion Pairs at the tournament played that year in Dunedin, when they t beat Dee and McComish, a Nelson pair, after a very close contest. McPherson and Veitch also won an Invercargill Pairs, and the deceased was lead in a successful Easter four at Dunedin and a New Year four at Invercargill, both skipped by Veitch. An Adess Shield game back also went to the credit of a four skipped by Veitch with McPherson as lead. Mr Veitch always recognised his colleague’s worth as a bowler, and says that ;he

was one of the finest leads in Otago. On leaving West Harbour. Mr McPherson went to reside at Wanaka, and he was again successful in competition ’ games—this time with J. Perrow as skip.

Mr McPherson was a green supervisor at West Harbour and again at Wanaka. He was honoured for his services to the West Harbour Club by being made a life member. But he will always be remembered by club mates an<j opponents alike, first and foremost as a wonderful sportsman who got the maximum amount of enjoyment out of his games, whether losing or winning. He had a keen sense of humour and the writer, who has no pretensions as a bowler, played a game against his old friend at Wanaka last March. He well remembers the ' waggish smile with which “ Jimmy ” pointed at a widely delivered bowl and then ai the head, and said “The kitty’s over here." Two other well-known and popular players in Dunedin—Mr E. H. Hodge and Mr Percy Cuff —passed away within the past week. Mr Hodge’s death occurred last Friday and Mr Cuff’s on Monday. Both were members of the Dunedin Club and although neither attained prominence in tournaments they took second place to nobody as sportsmen Mr Cuff was particularly well known in Invercargill. where he was for many years associated with the Star Football Club

F.A. TROPHY CHALLENGE Canterbury’s defeat of Wellington in a recent challenge match for the F.A. trophy has given Otago another opportunity to meet the Red and Blacks this- season and the game is scheduled to take place at Christchurch on Saturday, August 23. In its first venture early in June, when playing for the Jones Cup, Otago was beaten by 8 goals to 5. and in choosing the team for this next game, the selector (Mr Hanlin) will no doubt have in mind the weakpess that was apparent in the Otago side on that occasion. In addition to their fine positional play the Canterbury players are adept at the high passing game, in which their height gives them a decided advantage, and if Otago is to have a winning prospect, it must concentrate on the low passing game, A keen supporter suggests the following team —the four Mosgiel forwards, Steven. Davidson. Skinner Rogers and McFarlane (Northern) on the right wing, with the Mosgiel witljj halves, Paul and Stenhouse and Ruddiman, the Seacliff back as centre-half. Hope (Northern) and Pickerill (Old Boys) full-backs, and either Davey (Northern) or Nixon (Old Boys) in goal. Otago's defenders must be quick and hard-tackling backs to hold Canterbury’s clever line, and Ruddiman would be more valuable in his regular position where he proved outstanding in the previous game. A player worthy of a trial at centre-half is the Roslyn player. Wilson. He can play the right game when he sets his mind to it and much of the hill teaip’s success this season can be traced to his opening up work. Owing to an injury received in the five-a-side tournament last week, Hope may not be fit enough to play, and Davey, the Northern goalie who originally hailed from Christchurch, is due to return there on Friday of this week. As he will not be playing in the Christchurch competitions, however, he would be available to play for Otago. A Promising Centre

When Ei Currie appeared for the Sub-unions’ representative team in the match against a Metropolitan team recently, he created a most favourable impression, and his play for South OtagO on Saturday enhanced his reputation further. Currie is a wellbuilt player and although he lacks great speed, he makes up for this deficiency by his keenness and determination both on attack and defence. Naturally enough Currie has not the polish or finesse of a representative centre, but with the dearth of good centres in Dunedin at the present time the selectors might well consider him for future representative games. Women's Hockey Champions Playing consistently throughout the season, Kings I again won the Otago Women’s Hockey Association’s Championship. which was , completed on Saturday. It was agreed earlier in the season that the Kings team was unlikely to be beaten, and the contest really resolved Itself into a fight for second place. This was taken by Training College, which from an indifferent start with several inexperienced players in the team, worked its way up the ladder by dint of dogged persistence. Momona I, Dun-, edin and Otago were fairly evenly matched, and there was nothing, to choose between them at the end of the contest. If Otago had ;nqt been Without its 'strongest playefs during part, of the season, the team woulo; undoubtedly have finished higher up. and College would have had a harder battle for second place.. Kings II did .Well for a young team, but Brighton failed to improve bn last year’s form, and Momona II gained experience at the expense of weekly beatings. Southland Basketball

-In. view of the Otago- Southland basketball fixture for the Southland Cup, which is to be played next Saturday at Logan Park, comment on Southland’s team is of interest The team is a combination of youth and experience, and is expected to give a good account of itself. A strong trio has been chosen ,in the, centre third—Vera Fraser, Alwyn Pittaway, and Doreen Baird,: with J. Swale as reserve. V Fraser and A. Pittaway play together’ in the Rata team and are very experienced, while D. Baird is a fine court worker. With this centre Southland should not be handicapped by an insufficient supply of the ball. Winsome Sadlier, Lois Mehaffey, and Mary Thomas are the attacks, with Molly Adams the reserve. All are accurate shots and fast on the court. The first two players are well known to Otago supporters. In the defence third M. Forde and E. Ingram gain their caps for the first time, and both show good promise. Linda Barrett is another player well known in Otago, and is a valuable member of the team who has proved her worth in many representative fixtures. The reserve is J. Thomson, who also plays an excellent defensive game. Laws of Goal-kicking A question of Rugby football law as it concerns the kicking of a goal from a try is raised by a correspondent, “ Henley.". He describes an incident in which the player holding the ball for a successful kick at goal did not take his hands away. "The goal was kicked while the ball was practically held in his hands,” the letter states. “ Should the goal have been allowed? " Yes. The goal should have been allowed The only circumstances in which a goal from a try should be disallowed are when the kicker handles the ball after it has been placed on the ground, or a player of the kicker’s team other than the placer is in front of the ball when it is kicked. There is nothing to prevent the placer from steadying the ball or even holding it, although it is more difficult to kick a ball held in the hands than it is to kick a ball placed on the ground. It might be added that a placer who holds the ball in both hands until it is kicked must have little thought of the risk of injury.

ANOTHER GRADE NEEDED Shortness of time constrained the Otago Women’s Hockey Association to reduce the second round of its A Grade championship by dividing the teams into two sections. This was probably the best course in the circumstances, but the association may be well advised next season to consider having a new grade to embrace ‘the weaker A Grade teams as well as the strongest B grade teams. Such a provision would eliminate the arrival into first-class hockey of teams as weak as Momona 11, .and would provide for the expansion of such B Grade sides as Bounty. An intermediate grade would also serve _to give coming players the polish which is the essential difference between Grade and B Grade play. Tournament Appreciated Association footballers generally showed their appreciation of the five-a-side tournament arranged for their benefit last Saturday by entering the record number of 27 teams—l 4 seniors and 13 intermediate. Interesting play was witnessed and enthusiasm was exceptionally marked among the Juniors. The final in this section, between Mosgiel and Mornington, provided good play, in which the better combined work of the Mosgiel quintet

gave them victory by 2—fi. In the senior grade, Mosgiel was also a worthy winner, beating Northern in the final by 3—l. A Mosgiel team won last year’s tournament. The tit-bit of this section was • the play of the Cosmor politan team in * which three wellknown old-timers figured J> McDougall, J. Porter and G. Anderson. It was a treat to see these players in action. Their play showed how simple it was to make the ball do the running. They gave the Maori Hill team a great game and lost only after extra time had been played by the narrow margin of 2 corners. Temuka-Timaru Road Race . v.- k •: •, ' sV ;• The very wide-awake end enthusiastic Tiniaru Harrier Management Committee has made complete arrangements for the annual .Tbniuka•Timaru Road Rape oh August 23, and at least two Dvmedlh clybsVtvill be strongly represented. tia?f ''.ybar the veteran. Civil Service: riinner ;;B. R. McKernan caused a great surprise by winning the, 11-mile event, put; although he : will be present at this; season’s race, he wilt not be, competing. Civil Service which won the team banner last year, will be sending a fairly strong team to Timaru. although A. R Geddes will be the only competi-' tor who was in last year’s winning quartet. T. Caddie._D. Whittleston, R. Garden and ;C. Richards will be the other starters, and they should figure prominently. Garden is only 20 years old. but is keen to win his spurs. He returned third fastest time in his club’s five-mile road race on Saturday, which was won by Caddie. * Caversham has selected no fewer than 10 runners to represent it, and such men as G. L. Austin, A. J. Barr, L. L Hebbard and C. McGregor should give good accounts of themselves. The Timaru officials are doing everything possible to make the fixture a success., and are even adding as an inducement free hot salt water baths to visiting runners—a far cry. indeed, from the earlv davs of the sport. Hockey Under Handicaps The first matches in the Otago Hockey Association’s handicap competition. played last Saturday, resulted in the downfall of the championship leaders. It was expected that University A and High, School Old Boys would find thev had a hard row to hoe. but it was scarcely anticipated that they would bp put so far out of the running by their handicaps. It is probably on the late side now to consider a revision of the basic elements of the system, but there seems little that less severe handicaps would towards closer games. Still Playing Well Some interest was taken in the-re-appearance of T. Gold in the Country match at Carisbrook on Saturday. Gold made a number of appearances for Otago some years ago. and was a member of the 1935 touring team which brought home the Ranfurly Shield for the first time. In the actual Shield match against Canterbury. Gold was an emergency. On Saturday he was captaining the South Otago representatives against Eastern Districts, and in the first half was in the wins threequarter berth. In he second half he moved in to second five-eighth, but -in both positions he was closely watched and could not get far.’ He did, however. show glimpses of the form which won him a place*in the Otago team a few years ago.