RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25565, 19 June 1944, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

COMBINED FACULTIES BEATEN PIRATES ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM Fresh interest was given to the Otago Rugby Football Union's Senior Competition by the defeat on Saturday of University Combined Faculties by Pirates in the early match at Carisbrook, which provided one of the best displays of the season. This was University's first loss, and Pirates is now the only unbeaten team. In the other match at Carisbrook Training College repeated its performance of earlier in the season by beating University Medical. A crowd of about 1800 spectators, the largest of the season, witnessed these matches. Zingari-Rich-mond, one of the most improved teams in the competition, scored a decisive win against Kaikorai, and wins were alsa, scored l}y Air Force, Dunedin, Southern, and Union. The weather was fine and the grounds were in good order. The results were:— Pirates 16, University C.F. 12. Training College 17, University Medical 6. Air Force 22, Port Chalmers 9 Zingari-Richmond 13, Kailtorai nil. Dunedin 8, Alhambra 3. Southern 18, University D nil. Union 8, University C 3. BRIGHT MATCH Pirates defeated University Combined Faculties by 16 points to 12 in the early match at Carisbrook. T. Graham, a former representative player, who has returned from the Middle East, strengthened the Pirates pack, which played a bustling type of game, and which was well led by F. Williams, G. Robinson, and D. Hamilton. J. Morton (first five-eighths) was the spearhead of the Pirates attack, and L. Milnes (centre) also played very soundly, while R. Bell was a serviceable full-back. The University forwards lacked cohesion, but in the second spell some improvement was noticeable, and in the loose rushes M. Foreman was usually conspicuous. R. Elvidge (second five-eighths) was always a source of danger to the opposition, but his play suffered from the fact that A. Isdale (first five-eighths) was too often caught in possession. Pirates led at half-time by 13 points to 6. Milnes and Morton scored tries, both of which were converted by Morton, vfho also kicked a penalty goal. R. Mara and D. Chrisp scored for University. In the second spell J. Hall and Isdale scored tries for University, and with five minutes to go Pirates led by 13 points to 12. The margin was increased, however, by another penalty goal by Morton. Mr D. Dyer was the referee. A COMFORTABLE WIN Showing all-round superiority, Training College scored a comfortable win against University Medical at Carisbrook by 17 points to 6. A feature of the match was the lively work of the Training College forwards, and the dribbling of M. Toomey, J. Small, N. Glengarry, and P. Whelan was of a high order. J. Olliver (half-back), and R. Williams (first five-eighths), combined efficiently, but there was a fair amount of mishandling on both sides, the University players being the worst offenders. By the skilful hooking of G. Gordon, University was assured of a good share of the ball from the • scrums, but the pack was not lively enough to match the speedy Training College forwards. T. Milliken was an exception, and he was always up with the play. In the closing stages of the match the University back line as a whole showed glimpses of form which, produced earlier, would at least have reduced the margin. Olliver, Toomey, Williams, and Glengarry were the scorers for Training College, one of the tries being converted by J. Gibson, who also kicked a penalty goal. T. Svenson scored for University and T. Kawe kicked a penalty goal. Mr H, Palenski was the referee. KAIKORAI’S POOR DISPLAY

Zingari-Richmond, showing more combination and adapting themselves better to the prevailing conditions —a strong wind militating against good football—scored a comfortable win over Kaikorai at Bishopscourt by 13 points to nil. The Kaikorai players, with the wind and the sun at their backs in the first spell, failed to take advantage of the conditions, and at half time there was no score. Making full use of the wind, Zingari outclassed Kaikorai in the second spell, and scored three fine tries. A. Scandrett, H. Williams and A. Alexander played outstanding games' in the Zingari pack, and they were given able assistance by G. Barbara, A. Fleury and L. Barbara in the backs. The Kaikorai forwards lacked cohesion, the best of a beaten pack being J. Sharp. A. Foster and I. Murray. A. Chapman and K. Calder in the backs showed occasional glimpses of good form. The scorers for Zingari were H. Williams and A. Scandrett (2), G. Barbara converting two of the tries. Mr J. Frood was the referee. EASY WIN FOR SOUTHERN

In a game that had few bright moments Southern defeated University D by 18 §oints to nil at Bathgate Park. The outhern backs had weak opposition and their forwards were confronted by a pack that lacked combination and was carrying several ineffective members. At half time Southern led by 3 points to nil, the result of a try by D. Young, and soon after the resumption of play A. Chandler scored and T. Wallace kicked a penalty goal. Another penalty goal by Wallace, followed by.a try by K. Carnegie, gave Southern a 15-point lead. The final try was scored by D. Morton. Mr D. Kilgour was the referee. AIR FORCE IN FORM The match between Air Force and Port Chalmers at the University Oval was very even until half way through the second spell, when the Port team faded away. A feature was the accurate goal kicking of R. Masters for the winners. J. Murphy opened the scoring for Port Chalmers with a try wide out. Masters then kicked two penalty goals in quick succession, but R. Ansell brought the scores level with a goal. Then Masters added another three points, also from a penalty, to make the score 9—6 in favour of Air Force at half time. On resuming. Port Chalmers carried play to their opponents’ goal line, and from a penalty for a scrum infringement Ansell kicked another goal. Air Force took the lead again when R. Hazlett scored, and a little later R. Bills dashed over for a try which Masters converted. Hazlett picked up nicely in midfield and scored near the posts, Masters adding the extra points. The match ended: Air Force 22, Port Chalmers 9. Mr C. H. Hoskin was the referee. DUNEDIN DEFEATS ALHAMBRA

In an evenly-contested match at the Caledonian Ground, Dunedin defeated Alhambra by 8 points to 3. The scoring was opened by Dunedin when T. Ryan secured a try near the posts after a spectacular movement by the backs. C. McHerron converted. McHerron next kicked a penalty goal, and T. Campbell scored for Alhambra, making the half time score B—3. In the second half Alhambra attacked throughout, but was prevented from scoring by Dunedin’s fine defensive play. Tlie Alhambra back line showed better combination than the Dunedin rearguard, and T. Campbell, at centre, used his speed to good advantage. H. Martin, the Dunedin full-back, played soundly and by a smart interception deprived Alhambra of an almost certain try. McHerron and L. Connolly were conspicuous in the Dunedin forwards, but towards the end McHerron retired with an injury. A. Newlands and T. Mockford were the most prominent players of the Alhambra pack. Mr F. Parata was the referee. UNION DEFEATS UNIVERSITY C In an even but somewhat dull match on the North Ground, Union beat University C by 8 points to 3. Union made the pace early in the game, and two determined attacking movements resulted in tries being scored by G. McKay and J. Bradley. T. Freeman, who played a sound game at full-back, converted McKay’s try. For the remainder of the spell University made full use of the favouring wind and kept Union penned in its twenty-five, but was unable to score. In the second half Union had the benefit of the wind, but several attacking movements by the backs broke down through faulty handling. University broke away once and a fast dribbiing rush ended when R. Nicholson scored wide out. Mr N. Larkins was the referee. Lower Grades Third Grade. —Otago Boys’ High School 14, Dunedin 8; Pirates A 8, Ravensbourne 6: Union 28, Training College 17; ZirtgariRichmond 16, Kaikorai 14; University G 17, Pirates B 8; Taieri 5, Alhambra 3. Fourth Grade.—King’s High School 94, Alhambra nil; Otago Boys’ High School 24. Pirates B 5; Southern A 9, Dunedin 8;' Union 14, Southern B 8; *Kaikorai 13, Port Chalmers 5. Fifth Grade.—Ravensbourne 26, Southern B 3; Southern A 5, Christian Brothers 3; Technical 38, Union nil; Taieri 18, Dunedin 3. 55