ENTERTAINING MATCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 6

ENTERTAINING MATCH

TAIERI DEFEATS DUNEDIN A handful of spectators saw a fast and exciting game at Tahuna Park, where Taieri defeated Dunedin by 11 points to 9. Both sets of backs threw the ball about in entertaining style, and there wore a number of excellent combined moves, but the superior play of the Taieri forwards turned the scales in the country side's favour. As usual, P. Johnstone was an inspiring leader for the Taieri pack, and he was well supported by A. Houston and B. Wilkins. J. McLeod, first five-eighth for the winners, played one of his best games of the season, - and frequently carved holes in the defence with solo dashes. The Dunedin scrum lacked the cohesion of the Taieri pack, and towards the finish the fast pace of the game took its toll of some of the players,- whose fitness did not appear to be all that it might have been. C. Todd and J. Fogarty played well in the forward division, and R. McCormack was a towepiof strength in the backs. M. McKercher made one or- two strong runs, but his handling was uncertain at times. i Both sides scored within a few minutes of the start of the match. After a loose rush B. Pettit followed up fast to score for the Dark Blues, and McLeod dummied his way through the opposition to score near the posts for Taieri. The tries were converted by W. Lawrence and D. Couper respectively. There was no further score in the first half, but immediately following the resumption Couper kicked a goal from a penalty to put Taieri in the lead again. Lawrence kicked an excellent field goal to put Dunedin ahead temporarily, but after another devastating loose rush by the Taieri forwards, G. Johnstone scored the winning try. The referee was Mr J. A. King.