TAIERI NARROWLY BEATEN

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

TAIERI NARROWLY BEATEN

LAST-MINUTE WIN FOR UNIVERSITY A Continuing to show the improved form which nearly gave It a win over Pirates A on the previous Saturday. Taieri was unlucky to be beaten by the second team in the competition, University A. by 9 points to 6. It was fitting that such an excellent display by the country side should have taken place at Mosgiel, for Taieri supporters were present in full force to encourage their side. The score was 6-all until a few minutes before time when University A staged an attack from which Corkhill sent Gwynne over in the corner just before the final whistle. The honours of the day went to the Taieri forwards, who played a style of game that on previous occasions has had University A in difficulties. Led by a strong trio in P. Johnstone, W. Bisset, and B. Wilkins, they outshone the University pack both in the tight and the loose, and used bustling tactics to prevent the play from becoming open 'and the visiting backs from, getting into their stride. The territorial advantage lay with Taieri and it could be said that it was unlucky not to have won. K. O’Connor and Buckley were the West of the University pack. There was litle cohesion in the University backs and their attempts at passing seldom came to anything. The sound defence of the Taieri backs had a lot to do with the ineffective work of the students. For University Drake kicked two penalty goals and J. Gwynne scored a try. S. Whitson scored a try and P. Johnstone kicked a penalty goal for Taieri. Mr G. McDowell was the referee.