ZINGARI BEATS DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26216, 29 July 1946, Page 6

ZINGARI BEATS DUNEDIN

BACKS SHOW MORE FINISH Making better use of their opportunities and showing more finish than the opposing side, Zingari-Richmond beat Dunedin by 10 points to nil in the match at Carlsbrook after a lively but at times rather scrappy display. Dunedin attacked for the greater part of the first half, but although its forwards won the ball fairly consistently from the scrums, the backs were unable to press home the advantage and lost numerous chances through lateral running and faulty handling. The Zingarl backs had fewer opportunities but played with more thrust and initiative, and in the last quarter of an hour they were on top. Zingarl led at half-time by three points to nil, S. Dowland scoring , a try from a strong forward rush after 18 minutes' play. This was the first time the Colours had made a sortie inside the Dunedin twenty-five. Both sets of backs threw the

ball about freely, but they stood up close on each other and much of the passing was fruitless. There was no further score until 10 minutes from the finish, when Dowland secured the ball in a press of players in front of the posts and kicked a goal. The Watson brothers and N. Mitchell combined nicely in the closing stages, and with three minutes to go. A. Mason kicked a penalty goal from the twenty-five. Well led by Dowland, the Zingari forwards hunted strongly in the loose, and R. Henderson, M. Cuthbertson (a promoted junior), and J. Mitchell were a strong trio in support. E. Watson and N. Mitchell were the mainstays of the back line, and T. Moore played a solid game at half-back until an injury caused his retirement in the second half, and he was replaced by J. Plunkett. L. Connolly stood out in the Dunedin pack, both in the tight and loose, and C. Todd, F. McPherson, and J. Barry also played solidly, McPherson being particularly noticeable for his backing up. , , The play of the Dunedin backs lacked method, and with R. McCormack (second five eighths) overdoing the cut-in. several likely movements broke down. W. Lawrence made one or two good runs, but E. Collins (centre) was the soundest member of the line, his strong tackling often breaking up the Zingari passing rushes. S. Easton gave a first-class display at full-back, fielding and kicking well and often coming up to join in passing. Mr A. Halligan was the referee.