BACKS DECIDE ISSUE

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

BACKS DECIDE ISSUE

VARSITY A’s CONVINCING WIN University A won convincingly against Pirates by 20 points to 3 in the main match of the day at Carisbrook. The first half gave promise of a bright and attractive display, but play fell away in the second half and there was a surprising lack of finish to the attacking movements of both sides. Pirates had a preponderance of the ball from the set scrums, but in the line-out play the University forwards displayed a superiority, which was frequently exploited to bring the back line into action. The fast and resourceful University backs were adept at turning to account the numerous mistakes made by the Pirates rearguard, several of whom stood flat-

looted for their passes while the inside men too often ran across the field, The pick of the Pirates backs was A. L. Mclndoe, who sent out good passes from the scrum and varied hip play with effective breaks up the field, often, however, without support. Although given little room in which to work, H. S. Skinrer played a serviceable game at centre. C. Graham, who was promoted from the Fourth Grade for the match, had a trying day, but did not disgrace himself. The Pirates forwards played strongly throughout, but their efforts were frequently nullified by the indecisive play of the back line. K. Skinner stood out for good all-round forward play, and G. Ellison, D. R. Sapsford and W. Mercer were a solid trio. E. Dowland’s hooking was a feature of the game. Although beaten in the scrums, the University .forwards frequently made play from the line-outs, in which P. B. Dignan and K. J. O’Connor excelled, and supporting them in the loose, W. Drake and M. McDowell were often prominent. The light blue backs were. given excellent service by the promoted Second Grade player, I. Cameron, who sent out swift and accurate passes and varied the attack cleverly. T. F. C. Geary played an excellent game at first five-eighth, but further out R. R. Elvidge and J. M. Tanner did not always handle quite as surely

as usual, although both were dangerous whenever in possession. The wings, G. J. Moore and I. J. Botting, were prominent, and the former scored the most, spectacular try of the match from a blind-side movement which was initiated by Cameron. The half-back short kicked and gathering In the ball on his own side of halfway, Moore outpaced the opposition to score. A promoted junior, Bailey, was a success at full-back, and gained considerable length with his kicking. University led by 17 points to 3 at half-time, Geary contributing 11 points. He converted the try scored by Moore, kicked two penalty goals, and when Cameron worked the blind side from a scrum near the twenty-five, Geary went over at the corner. O’Connor kicked a penalty goal for University and H. S. Skinner gave Pirates its only points similarly. In the second half when University passing reached Tanner, the centre put in a " grubber ” kick and • Drake backed up well to score wide, the game ending: University A 20, Pirates 3. Mr J. Frood was the referee.