COUNTRY SPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26530, 4 August 1947, Page 7

COUNTRY SPORT

WIN FOR ALEXANDRA WHITE HORSE CUP RUGBY Special to the Daily Times RANFURLY, Aug. 3. For the first time since the inception of the White Horse Cup Rugby series, nearly 20 years ago, Alexandra won the trophy on Saturday by decisively defeating the holders, Ranfurly. The score of 14—4 was a good indication of the respective merits of the two teams on the day. For the first 35 minutes Ranfurly more than held its own, the score at this stage being 4 —o in the home team’s favour. This was in spite of the fact that Alexandra was winning the ball from every line-out and set scrum. From this point on, however, the superior weight and fitness of the Alexandra forwards told, and two tries were scored in quick succession, the half-time score being 6—4. In the second half, Alexandra dominated the play, and only solid defending by the Ranfurly backs prevented the score from being still higher. A converted try and a penalty goal were added to the Alexandra tally in this half. Weii: and Johnston were particularly impressive in the good Alexandra pack, which rucked and scrummaged well. Lunn did good work in the line-outs. The backs, with the exception of Waldron, failed to display penetration. The Ranfurly backs defended well, with Howell and Hanrahan, particularly the latter, doing more than their share. Arbuckle, at full-back, came through a hard day’s work with credit. Graham was the most impressive of the forwards. MANIOTOTO GAMES Games in the Maniototo Sub-union’s competition series on Saturday resulted Gimmerburn 16, Strath Taieri 3; Patea-" roa 3, Ida Valley 3; Becks 23, Naseby 0.