RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26791, 7 June 1948, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TOWN BEATS COUNTRY UNIMPRESSIVE DISPLAY In an unimpressive game at the Show Grounds on Saturday Town beat Country by 6‘ points to 3. Much public was taken in the game, the grand stand being packed to capacity, and large numbers were standing on the embankment Although for the most part the game was ragged, some bright movements weic seen. In the first half play was mainly confined to the forwards with one or two good back movements. In the second hah Town dominated the play, Country crossing the half-way line only on odd occaSi ln S the opening stages of the first half Country pressed the attack and • I 001 *®" as If it was going to have the better of the play. Town cleared, and for a , sc , ru P' infringement a penalty was awarded to Town for I. Nuttall to open the scoring. Country again pressed the atmc*. Town forwards gradually forced the play back to Country’s territory, where, from a scrum five yards from Country s line, F. Diver scored an easy try by working the blind side. Nuttall failed to convert. The Country forwards were now setting the pace. Receiving the ball on the hallway line R. Young made a brilliant run to be brought down just short o£ Country’s line. Faulty handling by Towns full-back, I. Nuttall, gave Country an opportunity to- open its account goal from a penalty which R. Gadd accepted. The half-time score was Town 6, Country 3. In the second half no further points were added to either side s total. Town had the better of the play in this half, but through faultyhandling by the back-line never crossed Country s line. About half way through the speh the Country forwards took control of tne ball and came near to scoring several times. The Country backs did not get many opportunities to show their skill. For Town P. Wilkie S. Mosely J Buzan and F Nightingale played Jard games in the forwards and H. Kilgour, E. Collins and I. Campbell were, the pick of the backs. G. Sutherland, R. Shephard and P. Sargeant were always to the tore In Country’s forward movements and g. Waddel and T. and G. Johnson played well in the backs. The full-time score was Town 6, country 3. Mr R. Hedges was the referee. B Game Although for the most parts this game was ragged, some bright patches of play were seen. Both teams were fairly evenly matched, but the poor handing of the backs nullified the work of both sets of forwards. The only score was taken by A. Hopley, who gathered in the ball after a crossfield kick to travel about 60 yards to score wide out. P. McKone converted. The final score was, Town 5. Country nil. Mr J. May was the referee. Other Games Juniors. —Waitaki 9, Enfield 6; St. Kevin s 14, Old Boys 3; Athletic 21, Excelsior 11. Third Grade.—Waitaki A 18, Old Boys nil- Waitaki B 8, Athletic 6; Maheno 9, Waitaki C 3; St. Kevin’s 11, Excelsior 5. i Fourth Grade.—Athletic 26, Enfield 3; Waitaki A 57, Athletic B nil; Waitaki C 30, St. Kevin’s nil. n Fifth Grade.—St. Kevin’s 17, Waitaki B 3. Seventh Grade.—St. Kevin’s A 55, Waitaki B nil; Waitaki A 14, St. Kevin’s B nil.