ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY

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

ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY

SOUTHERN BEATS KAIKORAI Greater combination and understanding between backs and forwards and superior team work generally enabled Southern to score a comfortable win against Kaikorai by 10 points to 3 in the early match at Carisbrook. The winners, who gave an attractive display, made more use of their opportunities than their opponents, who frequently gave away possession after winning the ball from the scrums or Hne-out. - '- Actually, Kaikorai, mainly as the result of the clever raking of J. Hamilton, held a decided advantage in the set Scrums and the hill team also had the advantage of possession in the line-outs in which L. Aitken and B Barnes stood out but when it came to close rucking , Southern was greatly superior, and this

enabled their' backs to move smoothly into action on numerous occasions. In the Southern pack, T. Wallace played an excellent game, and G. Little, L. Shephard, and D. Young were also prominent. The backs were given good service by L. W. Woodhouse, but the outstanding player on the field was the second five-eighths. T. Lynch, a young player, who has been included in the Otago touring team. Lynch showed considerable penetration, and his strong, straight running and quickness at seizing an opening were features of the play. He marked R. F. W.aldron so closely that the Kaikorai player had fewer opoprtunities on attack than usual. Lynch and J. Graham combined well in the centre, and the latter also played a sound and resourceful game. The run of _ the play favoured the Southern full-back, J. Paterson and his fielding of the ball in the air and his kicking generally were good. Aitken was probably the best of the Kaikorai forwards, but M. Ellis and W. Davie showed up in bursts from the lineout and at the head of the loose rushes. Barnes was effective in the line-out play, but- rather spasmodic in the loose. The Kaikorai backs, were not particularly happy as a combination, suffering from rather indifferent service behind the scrum, where G. McGill, who has been playing in the pack this year, was substituting for A. Sime. The best of the backs were D. Murdoch and G. Irvine, the latter adding some edge to. the attack at centre. N. Johnston played a useful game on the wing. Southern led by 11 points to nil at halftime, Woodhouse and Graham scoring tries, one of which was converted by Howley, who also kicked a penalty goal. Early in the second half the ball came to Lynch from a.ruck, and after running 35 yards he broke out of a tackle and scored between the posts, Howley converting. Lynch paved the way for the next try when he ran almost from one twenty-five to the other, side-stepping Waldron and fending off the Kaikorai full-back, D. Burn, as he handed on to W. Mercer, the latter finishing off strongly. Howley missed with the kick, and in the closing stages a strong Kaikorai rally ended in McGill going round the side of a ruck and giving the ball to M. Reidy, who crossed at the corner. Murdoch's kick missed, and the game ended: Southern 19, Kaikorai 3. Mr G. Little was the referee.