THRILLING FINISH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26530, 4 August 1947, Page 6

THRILLING FINISH

Trophy Leaves Southland After Nine Years CONFIDENCE NOT JUSTIFIED Special Reporter. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 3. Otago regained possession of the Ranfurly Shield when it defeated the holders, Southland, by 17 points to 11 in the first challenge match of the season at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon, the scores consisting of a goal from a try, three unconverted tries and a penalty goal to a goal from a try, an unconverted try and a penalty goal. The game, which was played in brilliant sunshine, produced a thrilling finish to an exciting contest,, and there were scenes of enthusiasm and jubilation when hundreds of Otago supporters swarmed on to the ground after the final whistle and carried off the members of the winning team shoulder high. The ground, although soft after the previous day’s rain, was not holding and it dried out considerably under the influence of a warm sun and a north-easterly breeze. The attendance was a record for Invercargill, the official estimate of the crowd being 21,000, and the “ gate ” figures, also a record for Invercargill, were £2300. The match was Southland’s twelfth in defence of the Ranfurly Shield since winning the trophy from Otago in 1938. Otago has been successful in 16 games for the shield since it took it from Canterbury in 1935. Saturday’s match also carried with it the Donald Stuart Memorial Shield which is played for annually between the two provinces and was won by Southland at Dunedin in the return game last year. Southland led by 11 points to 6 at half-time, but ip the final stages of the game the Otago backs took charge, their strong finishing effort deciding the issue.

The gates opened at 10.30 and long before noon the auxiliary stand in the enclosure and the best vantage points in front of the main stand were packed. AH available parking accommodation for blocks around the ground was fully taxed. The large crowd was entertained by some interesting curtain-raisers in one of which Marist Brothers’ High School (Invercargill) defeated Christian Brothers’ High School (Dunedin) by 10 points to nil.

The Otago backs displayed better combination and more thrust close to the scrum than the Maroon rearguard, and, although there was some mishandling, the Dark Blues were always dangerous in possession. A. L. Mclndoe, given preference over L. W. Woodhouse in the final choice for halfback, justified his selection with a creditable display. As a rule, he sent out good passes, and his work away from the scrum was effective, his covering on several occasions getting Otago out of some troublesome situations. Mclndoe had a difficult task in coping with the Southland forward rushes, and occasionally made the mistake of trying to flip the ball from their feet instead of going down 'on it.

DESPERATE FORWARD BATTLE Forward the two teams fought out a desperate battle, but it was the speed, combination and resource of the Otago backs which proved the deciding factor, the Otago captain, R. R. Elvidge, playing a match-winning game at second five-eighth, with J. A. Colquhoun (first five-eighth) and R. Orr (full-back) especially giving grand support. When Elvidge won the toss he took a sporting risk by allowing Southland to play with the sun and wind behind it. The chance came off, and when the teams changed over the glare of the sun had become more troublesome, and the resourceful Otago back's took full advantage of the fact. The Maroons had a slight margin of superiority in the scrums and line outs in the first half, winning sion from the scrums eight times to Otago’s five and the line outs by 11 to 8. Otago’s scrummaging was more effective in the second spell, however, and the set scrums favoured the challengers by 11 to 10. In line-out play, the Southlanders still had an advantage over the taller Otago forwards, the margin being 13 to 8. Southland’s superiority in front in the first half lay'mainly in their close rucking, vigorous foot rushes, and concerted backing up. When an Otago attack broke down, there were usually four or five Southland forwards on hand to go through with the ball at their feet, whereas the Otago forwards. in like circumstances, moved across in two’s and three’s. But for the brilliant covering of Elvidge this tendency on the part of the forwards might, have proved,, costly to Otago The Otago forwards played much more constructively in the second half, however, and when a try by Elvidge had placed the Dark Blues within striking distance of victory, the pack, strongly led by C. W. Willocks, took a fresh lease of life and assisted their backs to take charge in the last 10 minutes, which provided some of the most rousing football of the match.

Outside Mclndoe, Colquhoun played the football that gained him recognition last season as one of Wellington’s most capable backs. He handled well, and, while he invariably penetrated quickly, did not try too much on his own, the men outside him being given every chance on attack. Colquhoun cleverly exploited the “ grubber ” kick and displayed excellent judgment' in finding the open gap, so that his supports were able to turn this variation in attack to good effect. Saturday was Elvidge’s day. He played a captain’s part at second five-eighth, and, besides showing brilliance in attack, was generally in the right place when covering in defence. There have been times when Elvidge has placed more reliance on strength than finesse, but this was not one of them. His play was marked by a judicious blending of the two and by a remarkable sense of anticipation. His two tries were worthy of any All Black, his first being a particularly brilliant effort in which he covered nearly half the length of the field and beat several defenders. Elvidge made several excellent openings, tackled in deadly fashion, and generally gave a display equal to his best. '■

The University winger, J. M. Tanner, playing out of his usual position, made a satisfactory showing at centre three-quarter in his first representative match. Although closely marked by Ward, and given little latitude, he had several opportunities for demonstrating his speed and initiative. I. J. Botting and G. J. Moore had limited chances on the wing, but the former scored Otago’s first try brilliantly, and in one hectic period in the seoond hall, with Southland striving desperately to regain'the lead, his covering and defensive work saved the day.

Willocks gave a display right up to All Black standard, and there was no better forward on the ground. He was one of the few Otago men who jumped high for the ball in the line out, and his proficiency in this direction assured his hacks of a reasonable share of the ball. Willocks was in the thick of the tight play throughout, and at the crucial period in the second half, when Otago was fighting hard for the lead, he held the pack well together, enabling them to keep a grip on the game. ' . K. O’Connor rose to the occasion and played one of his best games. His pace in the open was an asset, and in backing up and rush-stopping his play left little to be desired. J. McNab was tireless in the tight work, but it was a strange coincidence that he should have been penalised for offside play in almost the same spot near the posts as that from which T. R. D. Webster kicked his penalty goal for Southland last jfear. On this occasion it was L. F. Ward was gained three points for Southland. P. Johnstone, who was making his first appearance in a representative match, was one of Otago’s best forwards, his lively, bustling work in the loose and his fast following up being features of the Otago forward play.

Orr, also making his first appearance for Otago, gave an outstanding display at full-back, rising to the occasion in great style. His fielding . was just a little uncertain at the outset, but he quickly settled down and made no mistakes, his gathering of the ball on the ground, sometimes in the face of relentless forward rushes,. being first class. Orr got greater length in his kicking than he was thought capable of, and his .positional play was very sound. DASHING SOUTHLAND FORWARDS The Southland forwards were outweighed and outranged by the Otago pack, but py their very dash and vigour they overcame the handicap. Their concerted work, especially in the first half, was right up to the best Southland traditions, and even after Otago had regained the lead they fought back strongly. The outstanding players in the Southland pack were G. H. Cameron, D. M. Brown, and G. H. Spittle, with L. Connolly and J. R. Stuck often noticed for their fast fol-j lowing up. Brown confirmed the impression he made in the sub-unions’ game in Dunedin that he is one of the strongest forwards in the side, and he worked with a will in the tight and was prominent in the line out. Spittle,

one of the Southland break-aways, played an intelligent and constructive game, and was always up with the play, while Cameron, a first-class front-row forward, showed All Black class and was seen frequently at the head of the Southland rushes. Southland’s tries were both the result of good close forward work, and every member of the pack played above his weight. Actually, the Maroon forwards averaged nearly a stone a man lighter than the Otago pack. The Southland backs defended solidly, but did not display the pace or finish of the challengers on attack. E. D. Calder, their half-back, who played so well in the return game at Dunedin last year, and more recently took part in the All Black trials, was lively behind the Southland scrum, and had a good understanding with M. P. Grace. The latter may be slower than* when he was one of New Zealand’s best in-

when McNab was penalised for offside play almost in front of the posts, and Ward had no difficulty in kicking a goal. Otago 6, Southland 6. Just on half time Otago hooked the ball from a scrum, but it trickled out the side, and Spittle gathered it near the line to go across in a press of players for a try. Ward converted, and at half time Southland led by 11 points to 6. The second spell was under way 20 minutes before the hopes of the Otago supporters were again raised, when Johnstone'sent a long pass to Elvidge. The five-eighth made a brilliant run of nearly half the length of the field and, with his supports jammed, went on his own, swept past several defenders, and scored. Moore’s kick went outside the post. Southland 11, Otago 9. Colquhoun was keeping Southland

side backs a few years ago, but he showed good judgment in playing to his forwards. With Southland holding a five points’ lead with the second spell half gone, he used the line judiciously, while he also exploited the short punt effectively. Wsrd added some edge to the attack at centre, and his defensive work was of a high order,. Neither wing had many chances, but A. S. Chandler made several good runs, one of which led to Otago’s line being seriously threatened in the closing stages of the game. The crowd rose to its feet as he . made a desperate burst along the wing, and when blocked he kicked infield. The Southland forwards surged through, but Orr stopped the rush not far shoxt of the line, and Botting finally cleared to the twenty-five. A. G. Sutherland had a heavy day at full-back, and, although he found the sun troublesome in the second half, frequently showed the benefit of experience in'geting his side out of dangerous situations. THE SCORING The game had been in progress only three minutes when the crowd was given its first thrill. O’Connor broke through into the open, and from a scrum outside the twenty-five Mclndoe whipped the ball to Colquhoun, who kicked ahead along the ground, and found a' gap. Botting raced through fast and footed the ball ahead of him before picking up and scoring well out. The charge, was disallowed, but Moore did not convert. Otago 3, Southland nil. Southland drew level after 15 minutes’ play when Grace received from a scrum and short-kicked over Colquhoun’s head. Cameron, Connolly, and Kennedy followed through, and the last-named pounced on the ball for a try which Ward failed to convert. Otago 3, Southland 3. Otago responded almost immediately, and from a scrum in midfield passing reached Elvidge, who made a brilliant opening for Tanner, the centre making a strong run, with Botting in support. Sutherland, apparently believing that Tanner would send on to Botting, moved rather quickly towards the wing, and Tanner, showing considerable pace and resource, turned infield past the Southland full-back to score an excellent try. Moore missed with the kick. Otago 6, Soxithland 3.

Only another four minutes had gone

constantly on the defence by his clever short punts, and when he kicked ,through along the ground Sutherland, with the sun in his eyes, fumbled the ball, and one of the Southland- defenders was penalised for offside play. Orr took the penalty from 30 yards out and kicked a goal with 10 minutes to go. Otago 12, Southland 11. Southland rallied strongly, but first Botting and then Colquhoun cleared. Grace again put Southland on the attack, but as the forwards came down on top of him Orr gathered the ball while going at top and put in a long kick beyond halfway. The ball came to Elvidge from a line out. and once again the Otago captain broke through the defence to score in a handy position. Orr converted, and two minutes latex* the game ended amid scenes of great enthusiasm with the score: Otago 17 Southland 11 Mr R. Ferguson was the referee. The teams were:— Otago Full-back, R. 0rr'31.5. Three-quarters—G. J. Moore 13.2, J. M. Tanner 12.7, I. J. Botting 12.4. Five,-eighths, R. R Elvidge (captain) 13.2, I. A. Colquhoun 12.3. Half-back, A. L. Mclndoe 11.6. Front row—P. Johnstone 13.9, A. Foster 13.7, K. Skinner 14.6. Middle row—D. Hamilton 14.2. C. Willocks 14.12, L. R. Harvey 14.0. J. McNab 14.0. Back-row, K. J. O’Connor 14.10. Southland Full-back, A. G. Sutherland (captain) 11,12. Three-quarters—G. F. Smith 12.0, L. F. Ward 12.5, A. S. Chandler 11.2. Five-eighths, F. H. Stewart 11.0, M. P. Gi'ace 11.12. Half-back, E D. Colder 11.7. Front-row—G. H. Cameron 13.1, G. Kennedy 12.0, L. Connolly 15.2. Middle-row—S. R. Pittaway 12.9, T. A. Budd 14.0, D. M. Brown 13.12, G. H. Spittle 12.9. Back-row, J R. Stuck 13.4.