TAIERI FORWARD IMPRESSIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26473, 29 May 1947, Page 2

TAIERI FORWARD IMPRESSIVE

Effective line-out play by P. Johnstone, the rugged Taieri forward, who was an emergency for Otago for several matches last season, was a feature of the game against Pirates at Mosgiel. Johnstone, jumping high, took the ball cleanly and set an example to his

teum-mates in that department. He also worked hard in the tight, while he was usually a leader in the loose rushes, which caused Pirates anxiety for a long time in the second spell. Johnstone has earned his place in the trial match which will be played on the King's Birthday. GOOD ARRANGEMENT

The Otago Rugby Referees' Association is to be commended on its decision to allot a senior match each week to referees from the various subunions. In pursuance of this practice. Mr T. Tsukigawa, of Balelutha. officiated in the match between Alhambra and Training College at Carisbrook on Saturday, and favourable comments on his handling of the game were heard on all sides. He was always up with the play, and his interpretation of the advantage rule added to the enjoyment of players and spectators alike

NEW BOWLING CLUBS A meeting of disabled servicemen will be held next week for the purpose of forming a Disabled Servicemen's Bowling Club, the object being to affiliate with the Dunedin Bowling Centre and to take part in centre competitions. The Wakari Bowling Club is well on the way to formation, and the latest addition to the ranks of the centre is the Karitane Bowling Club which is being incorporated almost immediately. The Macandrew Bay Club is also well on the way. and these additions to the centre will lend even greater interest to interclub competitions in the next few seasons. ENGLISH TROPHY TOURNAMENT

At the week-end. the Caledonian Ground will be the venue for the first time of the tournament in which the four main provincial teams will compete for the English Trophy. The three northern elevens appear to be strong and well-balanced, and the Otago team will have to be at the top of its form if it wishes to reach the final. W. Chapman, ex-High School Old Boys. Otago, and New Zealand half-back, has been appointed sole selector of the New Zealand team to play the Springboks. and will be present at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday and Monday.

A BUSTLING PACK The bustling tactics of the Port Chalmers forwards paid dividends on Saturday when the home pack gradually wore down the Southern pack to pave the way for a drawn game. H. Ives. J. Henderson, and P. Larkins were outstanding in the loose, and all three were seen to advantage both in foot rushes and in individual breaks from loose rucks and line-outs. Ives was particularly effective with the ball at his feet, and Larkins v/as highly successful as a goal-kicker. The Southern scrum had an early advantage in the tight but, towards the end of the second half the tigerish rushes of the Port Chalmers forwards could not be denied. The two tries scored by Port Chalmers in the second half originated from loose rucks near the Southern line. Ives and Larkins literally hurling themselves over with several opponents clinging to them.