RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26773, 17 May 1948, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Excelsior Retains Lead Further games in the Citizens’ Shield competition were played at the Show Grounds on Saturday. Excelsior beat Maheno and retained its lead in the competition, and Athletic had an easy win over Old Boys, and so maintained second place. Old Boys is next on the list, and Maheno is last, j Excelsior v. Maheno In the first 15 minutes of the game good work by the Maheno pack kept the ball in Excelsior’s territory. Excelsior hooked the ball from most of the scrums, but Maheno’s break away forwards, Moran and Wilkie, were quick off the mark and retarded movements by the Excelsior backs. In the early stages of the game Turner missed an easy goal from a penalty awarded for a scrum infringement. From a scrum on Mahena’s twenty-five, the ball travelled the length of Excelsior’s back line and D. O’Connell dived across the line to score at the corner. As the spell progressed, Excelsior improved. The halftime score was: Excelsior 3, . Maheno nil. Shortly .-after the second spell, opened, Maheno was awarded a penalty for a scrum infringement on the 10 yards mark, and Turner opened the account. The Maheno back line at this stage was altered by Emmerson moving into second five-eighth position and S. Turner moving out to centre. K. Boyle, Maheno s full-back, was responsible for some good saves. H. Muldrew was inclined to hold the ball when it came out of the scrum. F. Diver at half-back, for Excelsior, played soundly, and G. Ovens and T. Gallagher were prominent in forward movements. Excelsior continued to attack, but several infringements gave Maheno a chance to clear. From a melee on Maheno's goal line. Excelsior received possession, the ball again travelling the whole length of the back line, and with Nuttall coming up into line to make an overlap, Hopley scored. From another melee on Maheno s line Diver dived over to take Excelsior s total to nine. Maheno was still attacking at time, when the score was Excelsior 9. Maheno 3. Mr W. Bee was the referee. Athletic v., Old Boys Play throughout was ragged, especially in the first spell, but there was a slight improvement in the back play in the second. Old Boys gained the majority of the ball from both rucks and set scrums. Their backs were disappointing, and did not combine well. The Athletic backs were slow to move, but as the game advanced some bright movements were seen and good solo runs made. J. Halvorsen, Athletic’s full-back, scored 14 of his side’s 23 points. H. Kilgour. Athletic s left wing, played his best game this season and was the most forceful attacking back on the ground. S. Mosley and F. Nightingale were the pick of Athletic s forwards in the loose. P. Rose, Old Boys “ find" this season, played soundly at full-back. R. Twaddle and R. Rainey served their side well. In the first half, Halvorsen kicked two goals from penalties fo r Athletic and B. Welsh kicked a field goal for Old Boys, to make the half-time score Athletic 6, Old Boys 3. Shortly after the second half started. J. Halvorsen kicked ■ another penalty goal. Athletic s next points came from a potted goal by I. Campbell, closely followed by a try bv Collins which was converted by Halvorsen S. Moslev received the ball frqm a ruck on Old Boys’ line to score wide out. Athletic’s final points came fr°ma goal from a penalty by Halvorsen. The full-time score was: Athletic 23, Old Boys 3. The referee was Mr T. Cahill. Lower Grades Juniors. —Athletic 12. Old Boys 3; Excelsior 9, Waitaki 8: Enfield, a bye. Third Grade—Old Boys 11, Maheno 6; Excelsior 3. Athletic 3. Fourth Grade.—Enfield 16, Athletic A 5; Athletic B 15. Waitaki 6. Sub-association In a Waitaki Sub-association game. Otekaike heat Tokarahi by 31 points to nil. The game was fast but ragged, and Otekaike had the better of the play. The scorers for Otekaike were J. Sheppard (2), R Sheppard, Parker, Linwood, McGimpsey and Sergeant, R. Gard converting five of the tries. v