RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24912, 11 May 1942, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

O.M.R.'s GOOD DISPLAY UNIVERSITY (MEDICAL) BEATEN The defeat of University (Medical) by the O.M.R. side was the feature of the Otago Rugby Union's competition on Saturday. The display of the O.M.R. team gave fresh interest to the competition. The weather was fine but cold, and the grounds were in good order. The day's results were as follows: O.M.R. 16, University (Medical) 13. Zingari-Richmond 44, Army B 8. Dunedin 19, Air Force 10. Kaikorai 6, Army A 6. University (Combined Faculties) 38, Union 6. O.M.R.'s TRIUMPH The young O.M.R. team established itself as one of the best and most popuI lar in the competition by beating University (Medical) at Carisbrook by 16 points to 13. It was a well-earned win, achieved by the determination and dash of the O.M.R. forwards. The half-time score of 10 points to 6 in favour of University was not a true reflection of the run of the play. The O.M.R. forwards packed and rucked with great vigour, and they swarmed all over the University twenty--1 five. J. Lanauze. the former Pirates and Otago forward, led them in the loose, and for long stretches they had the Light Blues scrambling on defence. R. D. Jones, a young first five-eighth from South Tuapeka, played good football, and made one clever opening from which Lanauze scored. Lanauze scored his second try from a forward break. University's two tries both came from longrange thrusts. B. W. Murphy scored the first when two or three Army defenders fumbled over their line, and J. M. Langham scored the second at the end of a good passing rush in which L. W. Brougliton made an effective opening. M. N. Paewai converted both. In the second half the O.M.R. forwards maintained their dash, and the crowd was elated when a strong drive ended in Lanauze battling his way over for his third try. Hp kicked the goal, and O.M.R. led 11—10. ' University regained the lead when Paewai fought his way through a press of players, and H. R. Bennett had just onough pace to reach the line. The O.M.R. forwards were still harassing the Light Blue backs, driving thei'- passing across the field, and A. L. Murphy scored at the head of another strong rush. Lanauze's goal made the scoie 16—13, and O.M.R. were attacking again at the end of an excellent game. Mr R. Quintrell was the referee. DUNEDIN BEATS AIR FORCE Playing on the Air Force ground, Dunedin beat Air Force by 19 points to 10. The Dunedin forwards gained possession of the ball from practically every scrum, and gave their backs plenty of chances to open up play. G. Reynolds and N. Mullins gave dashing displays, the former scoring two tries aud Mullins kicking a penalty goal and converting two tries. F. Nye and L. Marshall scored the other two tries. The Air Force team lacked cohesion, but finished with considerable dash. The side contains several good players, but has difficulty in securing combination. In the second half the back' line was rearranged, and showed a big improvement. G. T. Luoni scored a try, W. Gill kicked a field goal, and E. J. Guthrie kicked a penalty goal. Mr C. McLay was the referee. UNION BEATEN Fielding a side superior in both forward and back play, University (combined faculties) beat Union at Opoho ground by 33 points to 6. Both teams were evenly matched In weight, but the tighter packing of the University team gave its backs the ball from most of the scrums. M. Smeeton. playing at centre for University, initiated many neat movements, 'vhich enabled the wing three-quarters, J. W. Green and N. P. Lino, to score fairly frequently. For Union, T. Freeman's accurate line kicking saved his team on --.everal occasions. In the closing stages of the game W. Tunnel scored a fine try after a brilliant passing rush by the Union backs. T. Freeman also kicked a penalty goal for Union. For University, J. W. Green (3), N. P. Lino (3), and M. Smeeton .scored tries. Smeeton also converted four tries and kicked three penalty goals. The referee was Mr J. Frood. ARMY B OUTPLAYED The Army B team was not able to make a game of it against Zingari-Rich-mond in the early match at Carisbrook. The Colours won a poor game by 44 points to 8. The wide margin was caused mainly by the much greater weight of the Zingari-Richmond pack and the inexperience of the Army backs. The Army team appeared to be young and in need of some intensive training and coaching. The scorers for Zingari-Richmond were K. Waldron, V. C. Smith, G. Barbara, T. Grant. W. Pockson, W. de Bazin, one try each, A. Scandrett and S. Dowland two tries each, K. Giles four conversions, and A. Alexander.. A.. Watson and D. White one each. Peat scored for Army B and W.' Gibson converted a try and kicked a goal from a penalty. Mr W. Kilgour was the referee. ARMY A AND KAIKORAI DRAW The match between Army A and Kaikorai, at Bishopscourt, was fairly evenly contested and resulted in a draw 6 all. In the first spell the Kaikorai forwards, playing with more cohesion than their opponents, had the better of the game, and. assisted by their backs, indulged in some promising passing rushes which had the Armv team on the defensive. From one of these rushes B. Arnott scored for Kaikorai, and a few minutes later D. Trevathan kicked a good goal for Army. Arnott was mainly responsible for Kaikorai's second score. After he had made a fast run down the line he passed infield, and A. Grlmshaw went over for a good try. The Army forwards played more as a team in the second spell, and had the Kaikorai line under pressure practically all the time, Rodgers bringing the scores level when he went over near the corner. Mr H. Williamson was the referee. ;