RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26731, 29 March 1948, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OPENING OF SEASON EASTER HOLIDAY MATCHES The Rugby football season opened in Dunedin on Saturday with the usual Easter matches which were played under ideal conditions. A large crowd was present at Tahuna Park for matches in the triangular tournament which was contested by two teams from the Pirates Club (Dunedin), together with teams from the Christchurch and Wellington Football Clubs. The games produced more than glimpses of good football, particularly the second match in which Pirates I defeated Christchurch by 14 points to 6. In the early match, Wellington beat Pirates II by 10 points to 8. Wellington and Pirates I will meet in the final at Tahuna Park this afternoon. At Opoho, Alhambra won the annual match gainst Merivale (Christchurch) by 34 points to 3. Members of the teams taking part in the triangular tournament at Tahuna Park were introduced to three prominent members of the clubs—Mr Crosby Morris, who was one of the early members of the Pirates Club, Mr S. G. Styche, an executive officer of the Pirates Club for a long period, and Mr A. Weir, who has been club captain of the Wellington Club for some 30 years. BRIGHT BACK PLAY Fielding practically their strongest side, Pirates I played attractive Rugby to defeat a Christchurch team by 14 points to 6. Pirates gained a large share of the ball from the set scrums, and the backs were not afraid to open up the play from all parts of the field, the full-back, R. Bell, often joining in passing to provide the overlap. W. I. Perriam directed operations ably at centre, and S. Sutherland (first five-eighth) and C. J. Foley (wing) were often prominent. The Christchurch forwards were assisted by Lloyd, a Wellington representative front-ranker, who was the most impressive member of the pack, but they lacked the cohesion of the opposing forwards. Tries for Pirates were scored by Sutherland, Foley, Bell, and A. Tomkins. Sapsford converted one try. Smith scored an unconverted try for Christchurch and Wagner kicked a goal from a penalty. Mr L. Giles was the referee. WIN FOR WELLINGTON Displaying superior dash and combination, Wellington defeated Pirates II by 10 points to 8 in the first match at TaP ar Kenny, better known as a full-back, played in the Wellington pack, and was on hand to terminate a passing movement with a good try which he also converted, Wellington leading by 5 points t 0 nilat half-time. The advent of Egdell and N. King, the former Kiwi five-eighth, in the second half, gave edge to the Wellington attack and their work close to the scrum was effective, a “ jinky ” run by King culminating i n a try which Kenny converted. E. Blaney paved the way for Pirates’ first try, which was scored by R. Allan. H. Skinner converting from the sideline. Passing by the Pirates backs took play to the Wellington line, where W. McLachlan, a fast following forward, snapped the ball up and went across at the corner. Mr A. C. Halligan was the referee. ALHAMBRA’S EASY WIN Showing considerably improved form, Alhambra had an easy win against Merivale in the annual match which was played at Opoho, the final score being 34 points to 3. The scorers for Alhambra were Leckie. A. McDonald, W. Neame, Michie, Jeffs, White, Brown, and Fenton. Five of the tries were converted by Michie. Meynell kicked a goal from a penalty for Merivale. Mr J. Frood was the referee.