OTAGO’S FIELD DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26578, 29 September 1947, Page 6

OTAGO’S FIELD DAY

Overwhelming Win in Shield Match NORTH OTAGO OUTCLASSED Otago had a field day when it defeated North Otago by 42 points to 3 in the final Ranfurly Shield match of the season at Carisbrook on Saturday, the scores consisting of a goal from a try, 10 unconverted tries, a goal from a penalty and a field goal to an unconverted try. It was the holder’s fifth victory in this year’s shield series, and the winning margin was the highest recorded by an Otago side in any of its 20 shield successes; The Otago team, which played attractive and spectacular football, gave one of the most convincing displays of the season, completely outclassing the challengers in all departments. Had the goal kicking been even reasonably good instead of shockingly bad, the margin between the teams would have been nearer 60 points, but of the 12 tries scored in the match only one was converted. The south-westerly wind was troublesome and the ball may have been tricky, but the goal kicking was almost inexcusable. The weather was fine and mild, and the wind did not hamper the play to the extent that was apparent in the Southland match. The ground was hard and fast, and in spite of the one-sided nature of the game the crowd, officially estimated at 12,300, was well entertained by the excellent exhibition of forward play given by the Otago team and by the pace, dash and combination shown by the resourceful back line. The teams were played on to the ground by the Oamaru Garrison Band, and the Caversham Citizens’ Band was also in attendance.

The way for victory was paved by the Otago pack, whose play reached really brilliant heights. Its line-out Work, vigorous rucking, and dash in the loose have not been excelled this season, and in consequence the Dark Blue back line had a feast of the ball. In the first half the North Otago hooker, H. Golder, broke fairly even with A. Foster, Otago’s margin of superiority in the set scrums being only 11 to 8, but in the second half the Otago forwards dominated the scrums as completely as they di<J the other phases of the game, and possession was won eight times to North Otago’s one. The Dark Blues won the ball from the line out 26 times to North Otago’s 12 in the first half and 23 times to 8 in the second. Otago also held the advantage in the loose rucks, gaining possession five times tot two in the first half and four times to two in the second. Otago was penalised three times and North Otago once in the first half, and in the second Otago was awarded one penalty. The Otago pack was magnificently led by D. Hamilton, the West Otago player, who was the best forward on the ground, and gave a,display which has not been surpassed on Carisbrook this year. Hamilton played with remarkable dash, breaking through time after time, either with the ball at his feet or to start passing among the backs. In the open he revealed the pace of a three-quarter back, and his try was a classic effort. Hamilton's rush stopping and tackling were all that were required, and no member of the holders’ pack has played more constructive football than he has. His form on* Saturday would have been good enough for any All Black team. Second only to Hamilton were P. Johnstone and K. J. O'Connor, - both of v>hom gave excellent all-round displays. Jgnnstone was tireless, and his work in the line out most effective. O’Connor made some grand bursts into the open, and was frequently dangerous near the line. As usual, O’Connor and C. Willocks excelled in the line-out play, while Willocks and L. R. Harvey .held the Otago, scrum together efficiently, and Harvey, as in other matches this season, was one of the most honest workers in the pack. The forwards as a whole, however, played as a pack, and their team work was a vital factor in the overwhelming win scored by the ride. Backs in Scoring Vein i It was to be expected that there would be some lapses in handling with a wind which swept across the ground and gave'neither side much advantage. Nevertheless, the Otago backs staged many excellent attacking movements which tested the North Otago defence almost repeatedly. Every member of the Otago rearguard crossed the challengers’ Jine, with the exception of the full-back, R. Orr,' and he, too, contributed to the tally with a goal from a penalty and the only conversion out of the 11 tries scored by his side. L. S. Woodhouse. the Otago halfback, did a tremendous amount of work, and it was a pity that his otherwise highly capable display should have, been marred -by his sometimes indifferent delivery from the base of the scrum. Even the masterly handler, J. C. Kearney, had difficulty at times in gathering the ball- -when it was thrown at his feet. In other phases of the play, however, Woodhouse shone brightly and his sharp breaks up the centre frequently led to lively rushes by the Otago forwards, while both he and Kearney were adept at

Both Botting and G. J. Moore made some splendid dashes, Botting showing more than glimpses of his best form. Playing with his old confidence, he scored a really good try in the second half after going close on several other occasions, and his kicking was first class. Moore revealed surprising pace when he caught the North Otago centre, D. E. Collins, from behind and saved an almost certain try. Tanner was always looking for opportunities to make play for his wings, and it was his very keenness which sometimes led to his undoing, for he was well marked by Collins, the North Otago captain. More than once, however, Tanner used a skilful sidestep to go past an opposing player, and his extra pace over 'the first few yards was a big asset. On the day, there was no comparison between the full-backs. Even though he was far less often under pressure, Orr was much superior to the North Otago player, R. J. T. Halvorsen, whose form was most disap-

nursing the pack when they were in a defensive oosition. The All Blacks. Kearney and R. R. ■, Elvidge. shared the honours in the back division. Kearney, always the completely competent footballer, handled' expertly, backed/ up liantly, and on several occasions made strong penetrating runs which carved holes in the defence. His contribution in points was a try and a dropped goal, and his long and well-judged kicking again took some of the sting out of the opposing pack, The game had been in progress only a few minutes when Elvidge flashed through a gap to leave the opposition standing, but his pass to the wing gave I. J. Rotting little chance of gathering it in his stride. This was one of the Otago captain’s few lapses, the only others being one or two rather ill-directed passes in the early stages of the game. Time after time Elvidge burst through openings in the North Otago defence, and whenever there seemed danger of a movement breaking down h'S was there to start it off again. His pace strong running, and powerful f°nd were often in' evidence, and he was a constant source of danger to the sorely-tried North Otago defenders. When covering was required, either Elvidge or Kearney was usually there to see to it.

pointing. Orr fielded cleanly, often when going at top, kicked strongly, and with judgment, and once or twice raced up in support of his backs. His only mistake was an ineffectual attempt 1 to stop M. D. Fountain, when the big North Otago winger broke through to score, -but Orr made amends later with some sound tackling. Halvorsen kicked well,' but his tackling was very halfhearted. North Otago Pack Beaten The North Otago forwards were completely outclassed by a heavier and more powerful pack. Their scrum work, which had been fairly effective in the first half, fell away after the spell, and in line-out play and rucking mey were well beaten. Individually, however, several North utago iorwards were prominent, althougn cohesion was often lacking. G. Sutherland and R. Robertson, the lock forwards, worked hard, and both came througn in strong bursts, Robertson especially making several desperate bids near the line in the closing stages. S. Moseley was usually at the head of the Norm Otago loose rusnes, and followed up tirelessly, while R. Wright played solidly. R. Mclntosh was not often sighted, and his play was much more spasmodic than it was a lew years ago. The forwards, as a pack, however, lacked the pace and dash in the loose to match the liveliness of the Otago pack. Although they did not have many opportunities, the North Otago backs were not afraid’ to open up tne game, and close to the scrum F. Diver and B. Robertson occasionally combined well. Robertson, the North Otago first fiveeighths, showed a lot of promise and was one of the best of the visiting backs. Collins, the North Otago centre, did not have many opportunities in attack, but he made several strong individualistic thrusts, one or two of which were nearly crowned with success. His defence was excellent. The most potentially dangerous scoring man in the North Otago side was M. D. Fountain, the former Canterbury player, who was revealed as a strong-running, fast, and weighty winger. Fountain also did some good covering work. The Scoring Passing by Elvidge, Kearney, and K. Skinner paved the way for Otago’s first score after six minutes’ * play, Woodhouse going round on the blind side of a scrum inside the twenty-five before handing on to Moore, who finished strongly well out. Orr failed to convert. Otago 3, North Otago nil. A strong burst by Hamilton placed Otago in a good position, and when Collins was penalised for illegal holding Orr kicked a goal from the twentyfive, the ball hitting' the upright and bouncing over the bar. Otago 6, North Otago nil. Nearly half the Otago team handled before the next try was scored after 20 minutes’ play. The Otago forwards broke through in short passing with Hamilton and O’Connor prominent. When the latter was stopped, Botting raced through to the line, and Elvidge, moving across quickly, gathered the ball in his stride to score near the corner. Moore’s kick was unsuccessful, and Otago led by 9 points to nil. Hamilton broke through from a ruck on the twenty-five, " beat Halvorsen with a feint pass and went across for a splendid try. Moore did not convert, and just before half-time Botting made another brilliant burst but fell just short of the line. O’Connor picked up about four yards out, and making a mighty effort, went across in a crush of players for a try which Orr did not convert. The half-time score was Otago 15, North Otago nil. Within eight minutes of the resumption, Kearney had dropped a goal from outside the twenty-five when Woodhouste shot the ball back from a scrum and had also rounded off a dazzling

piece of passing with a try after a movement in which Hamilton and he handled twice and Woodhouse also took part. Kearney’s kick missed. Otago 22, North Otago nil. Woodhouse broke away from a ruck and passed in to O’Connor who beat Halvorsen and ran in from the twenty-five, with Moore in support, Kearney’s kick was unsuccessful. Otago 25, North Otago nil. ' '* Otago continued to run up the points, Kearney and Elvidge combining nicely in a move which took play inside the challengers’ twenty-five, where McNab picked up and went over fairly wide out. Woodhouse did not convert, and he missed again after he had scored near the posts, following a movement from half-way in which he and Moore combined. Otago 31, North Otago nil. From a scrum inside the twenty-five, Woodhouse and Kearney went through on the blind side, and Botting finished off near the posts. Even though the charge was disallowed, Moore did not convert. Otago 34, North Otago nil. When Moore failed to gather a pass from Woodhouse, Fountain took the ball in his stride and fan in from inside the twenty-five, going past Orr to score. Halvorsen failed. Otago 34, ■sNorth Otago 3. Tries were added for Otago by Tanner and Elvidge. Moore failed to convert the first of these, but amid loud cheering Orr converted Elvidge’s try, and the game ended soon afterwards with the score:—

Otago 42. North Otago 3. Mr L. K. Murray (Timaru) was the referee. \ The teams were:— North Otago . Full-back: R. J. T. Halvorsen 11.3. Three-quarters: M. Fountain 14.2, D. E. Collins 12.0 (captain), H. Kilgour 12 2, Five-eighths: F. Arscott 12.0, B. Robertson 12.0. Half-back: F. Diver 10.11. Front row: J. Buzan 13.6, H. Golder 13.2, R. Wright 12.2. , „ Middle row: F. Moseley 13.12, G. Sutherland 13.10, B. Robertson 13.6, J. Gallagher 13.10. Back row: R. Mclntosh 15.7.< Otago Full-back: R. Orr 11.5. Three-quarters: G. J. Moore 13.2, J. M. Tanner 12.7, I. J. Botting 12.4. Five-eighths: R. R. Elvidge 13.2 (captain), J. C. Kearney 11.10. Half-back: L. S. Woodhouse 12.12. - 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. Curtain-raisers In the first curtain-raiser at Carisbrook, North-End Schools defeated the South-End Schools by 6 points to 3. Mr L. Giles was the referee. The second curtain-raiser was provided by the Dunedin and Athletic (Oamaru) Fourth Grade teams and was won by Dunedin by 14 points 'to 3.