MANIOTOTO RUGBY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 7

MANIOTOTO RUGBY

RANFURLY’S FIRST LOSS Special to the Daily Times , RANFURLY, Aug. 17. Ranfurly suffered its first loss in cornoetition Rugby this season on Saturday, when Becks scored a comfortable win by 25 points to 12. The match was also a challenge for the Richard ■ Young Banner, previously held by Ranfurly. The Becks forwards, led by their captain, Avmitage, dominated the play. They not only secured possession from most oi the scrums and line outs, but were superior in rucking and loose play. Their following up was a feature of the game. Ranfurlv fielded a formidable back line, including the Kearney brothers and Hanrahan, but lack of the ball and solid defence gave them few opportunities. Becks opened the scoring in the first few minutes, and the Ranfurly backs then flashed into action to equalise in a manner which indicated that they were likely to’dominate the match. Becks, however, elected to play the tight game from then on, with the backs standing well up to their opposite numbers, and these tactics proved effective. The Becks score comprised seven tries and a field goal, and Ranfurly’s three tries and a goal from a penalty. As the result of a comfortable win over Ida Valley by 31 points to nil, Gimmerburn is now equal with Ranfurly at the top of the competition ladder. Each team has 17 competition points In the third game played on Saturday, Strath-Taieri defeated Patearoa 10—6. Ranfurly juniors defeated Patearoa 14—3 in a junior competition match, and won the Blakely Cup, which was at stake. Wanalca v. Maheno At Maheno on Saturday Wanaka retained the Kelcher trophy by -defeating Maheno by 8 points to nil. This annual match between the two clubs has been resumed after a lapse of seven years The ground was heavy and play was generally good, though inclined to be ragged at times. There was no score in the first spell, and in the second, D. Jelley scored a try for Wanaka, A. Scaife converting and kicking a goal from a penalty.