RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25275, 12 July 1943, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

UNIVERSITY MEDICAL BEATEN DUNEDIN AND COMBINED IN FRONT The Otago Rugby Football union’s senior competition was continued on Saturday, when the weather was fine and the grounds were in good order. One of the largest crowds of the season was present at Carisbrook, where the three leading teams were seen, but botli games proved unexpectedly one-sided. A somewhat weakened University Medical team was soundly beaten by Dunedin, and more surprising was the runaway victory of the University Combined Faculties in the match against Training College. The flag at. Carisbrook was flown at half-mast as a tribute to the memory of Lance-corporal N. S. Bathgate, a formSr Otago representative player, whose death overseas as the result of an accident was recently announced. . The following were the results:— University C.F. 37, Training College 6. Dunedin 19, University Medical 6. Kaikorai 9, Zingari-Richmond 8. Air Force 16, Union 14. Flag Points.—Dunedin 16, University CF 16 Kaikorai 15, University Medical 14, 'Air Force 9, Zingari-Richmond 7, Training College 4, Union 3.

HONOURS TO DUNEDIN FORWARDS Dunedin scored a good win against Universitv Medical by 19 points to 6 in the main " match at Carisbrook. The Dunedin forwards, taking charge from the start, proved the dominant factor, and although the University side showed someimprovement after the interval, Dunedin maintained its grip on the game, and was going strongly at the finish. Possession of the ball from the scrums was greatly in Dunedin's favour, and had the backs shown more finish and accuracy in handling the margin would have been greater. L. Connolly, T. Wallace, and E. Wallace were a trio of hard-working forwards, and G. Kelly displayed dash in file loose. The backs did not impress in attack, but L. Ward and I. Riach made several good individual efforts. At full-back, J. Brown gave a sound performance. The University forwards packed too loosely and lacked vigour. I. Prior, T. Thomas, and F. Rennie were the best. In spite of a lack of opportunities, R. Smith (centre) was impressive, and P. A. Ongley (half-back) did good work in attack and defence. Tries were scored for Dunedin by H. McManus, I. Riach, and L. Connolly. L. Ward converted two of them and also kicked two penalty goals. The scorers for University were T. Savage and G. Campbell. Mr J. Frood was the rqferee. TRAINING COLLEGE OUTCLASSED

In the early match at Carisbrook, University Combined Faculties easily defeated Training College by 37 points to 6. The University forwards dominated the scrums and line-outs, and the backs were too fast and resourceful for the opposition, several' runaway tries being scored. The Training College forwards showed up spacmodically in the loose. The University five-eighths, D. Murdoch and R. Elvidge, made several fine openings, which the three-quarters were able to turn to good account. G. Gordon was the outstanding forward, and he had good support from R. Mara. M. J. Toomey and N. Glengarry were the best of the Training College pack, and J. A. Weavers played a serviceable game at half-back. W. B. McConnell played soundly at full-back, but the Training College defence as a whole left; much to be desired. Tries for University were scored by T. Prentice (4), D. Wood (2), P. Smith, J. Wilson, and R. Mara. C. Hockin converted three of the tries and Murdoch one. McConnell kicked a penalty goal for Training College and-Toomey scored a try. Mr W. J. Duff was the referee. • KAIKORAI’S NARROW WIN In a somewhat featureless game at Bishopscourt Kaikorai defeated ZingariRichmand by 9 points to 8. Zlngari was a much-improved team compared with its previous showing, and during the first half did most of the attacking, the loose rushes by the forwards keeping the home team largely on the defensive. Tries were scored for Zlngari by Hellyer and McQueen, Alexander converting one. Two breakaways by Kaikorai resulted In tries being scored by Renwlck and O’Brien, and the score remained at 8 to 6 in Zingari’s favour until the final stages of the game. Kaikorai kept Zingarl penned In its twenty-five for the greater part of the second half, but Zingari’s defence held. Kaikorai was awarded a penalty kick a few minutes before time, and Newlands kicked a good goal to put his team ahead by one point. Mr E. Prebble was the referee AIR FORCE v. UNION Air Force met Union at the Caledonian Ground, and after a hard forward game won by 16 points to 14. F. Vorrath and R. Silver turned out again for Union. In the first spell Air Force showed some good back play, A. Bills, half-back, passing from the scrum smartly, and with judgment, and N. Lewis scored after a bright movement. B. Clapcott secured at Union’s twenty-five, and with a tricky run went clean through the defence to score near the posts. Bills kicked a goal. T. Freeman .kicked a fine penalty goal for Union and just before half-time Bills scored after a dashing forward rush and also added the extra points, the score being 11—3 in favour of Air Force. At the beginning of the second spell, Whitmore, centre-threequarter, caught the Union backs out of position, and he scored after a 50-yards’ run. Then the Air Force backs began to weaken, in the face of the fiery Maroon forward rushes, in ; which J. Walker was always prominent. Freeman added three more points for Union with a penalty, and J. Gordon scored after some desperate work on Air Force’s goal line. Webb, five-eighths, scored again shortly after, Freeman converting, and Air Force were hard put to it to avert, defeat. There were no “ beg pardons ” in the later stages of the game. Mr T. KirkBurnnand was the referee. ■ . . LOWER GRADES Third Grade.—Alhambra 19, 0.8.H.5, 18; Pirates 2Q, University G nil. Fourth Grade.—Union 27, UnionY.M.C.A. 3, Zingari-Richmond 12, Christian Brothers’ High School 6; Pirates 18, Alhambra 3; Pirates 9, Ravensbourne 6. Fifth Grade. —A.T.C. 10, Pirates 8; Kaikorai 8. Zingari-Richmond 3; Dunedin 12, Union 10.