UNCERTAIN HANDLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 6

UNCERTAIN HANDLING

PORT CHALMERS DEFEATED

High tackling and a dangerous reluctance to go down on the ball were apparent in the game at Port Chalmers, where the home team was defeated by Southern, 14—8. Light drizzle fell during the whole of the game, making the new ball extremely slippery to two back lines which w.ere handling uncertainly, and intercepted passes added to the swinging nature of the play. J. B. Peck, the Port Chalmers fullback, played an outstanding game. His line kicking was particularly effective, saving his side from several penetrating thrusts from the opposing backs, who showed a better finish. Peck’s place kicking was unreliable, but J. N. Smith, playing on the right wing, scored five of Port’s eight points by converting a try scored by H Ives from a corner ruck, and the other three points from a difficult penalty from the side of the field. The game was, on the whole, a for\vard battle, with the energetic Port pack ranging the field, but the visitors proved their equals on most occasions. One young Southern forward, T. Cranshaw, played solidly, and was successful in diving over the line twice, from a line out on the first occasion and a loose ruck on the second. Among the backs, J. Graham, playing at centre for Southern, broke away from the field twice to score after running over 25 yards, his first try being converted bv the full-back, G. Gordon. L. Woodhouse again proved himself an alert half-back. Southern was on the attack for the major part of the game, but towards the end of the second spell the home team put forward a strong effort, aided by sideline enthusiasm, and were successful in narrowing the margin of points.