RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27078, 12 May 1949, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

LEADING TEAMS TO MEET

Athletic and Excelsior, last years winner and runner-up respectively in the Citizens’ Shield competition, will meet for the first time this season on Saturday. In the first match between these two teams last season, Excelsior won by 14 points to 6, and in the second match Athletic was victorious by 3 points to nil. The third match resulted in a 3-point draw, as did the fourth. There was no score in the fifth meeting, and in the sixth Athletic won by 6 points to 3. Although Athletic will be fielding a strong team on Saturday, it will be weakened in later matches by the loss of F. Nightingale and R. White, who are both leaving the district. These two players have shown good form this season, and were both likely candidates for representative honours. E. Connors, who scored Athletic's only try on Saturday, has shown ability behind the pack. Although he is lightly built, he stood up well to the play and threw good passes. B. Collett, who was called upon, will most likely fill one of the gaps caused by the transfer of Nightingale and White. The Athletic backs were disappointing last Saturday and were kept well in check by the shallow tactics adopted by Old Boys. Excelsiors’ team last Saturday was slightly disorganised. F. Diver was played at full-back and I. Nuttall at halfback. H. Meehan did not play because of a previous injury. The team as a ■ whole lacked the dash seen on the first day,' but struck form in the last quarter hour. The tackling was not as good as could be expected and once again the team was caught napping from a kick-off which resulted in a try being scored against it. Nuttall gave a good account of himself behind the scrum, although he was inclined to run too much. A. Ross again gave a polished performance on the wing, while A. Sawers made a few good breaks from the five-eighths

line. MATCH AT MAHENO Although both Old Boys and Maheno have suffered two defeats each this season the match at Maheno '■ on Saturday should create a good deal of interest. Old Boys was third in the Citizens’ Shield competition last season with six points, while Maheno failed to open its account. The Maheno forwards have proved to be a strong pack led by last year's North Otago representative, P. Wilkie, the Gardiner brothers and J. Mavor. The back line however, will need some strengthening before it is able to cope with town teams. Much of this is due to a lack of material, a disadvantage from which town teams do not suffer to the same extent. S. Turner has proved the mainstay of the back line, but his position on the wing gives him limited opportunities. W. Sinclair gave a good account of himself in the forwards. The Old Boys team has been unlucky to lose both its hookers—each capable of representing North Otago. R. Twaddle broke his leg in the first competition match of the season, and S. Sole, who retired hurt last season, again received injuries last Saturday which may keep him on the bank for some considerable time. E. Dobson, an ex-North Otago junior representative for two seasons, has been called upon to fill the vacancy. A. Currie was transferred from the wing position to the pack last Saturday and judged by his performance will remain with the pack. The Inside backs again gave a poor showing, and if Old Boys could persuade P. McCone to turn out this season its inside back problems would be solved. G. Johnston and A. Berry again showed outstanding form with good clean passing, straight running, and solid tackling.,

DRAW FOR SATURDAY Senior.—Old Boys v. Maheno, Maheno, 2.45 p.m. (R. Hedges); Athletic v. Excelsior, Oval, 2.45 p.m. (T. Cahill). Juniors.—Enfield v. Old Boys, Oval, 1.30 p.m. (E. Lapslie); Excelsior v. Athletic, No. 3. 1.30 p.m. (H. Tempero). Third Grade.—Old Boys v. Maheno, Maheno, 1.30 p.m. (L. R. Hill); Athletic v. Excelsior, No. 2, 1.30 p.m. (A. Patterson). Fourth Grade.—Athletic v. Excelsior, No. 3, 2.30 p.m. (D. Grant). Waitaki Sub-association.—Ngapara v. Duntroon, Ngapara (W. Baird); Tokarahi v. Georgetown, Tokarahi (J. O'Brien); Kurow v. Otekaike, Kurow (T. Watson). Teams for Saturday are:— Ngapara to play Duntroon at Ngapara: McCone (2), Direen (3), O’Brien (2), Hood. Shields, Dobson, Addison, Louden, Rawson (2), Tavendale, Williams, Watson, Kennedy, Dalziel.