TAIERI DRAWS AGAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 6

TAIERI DRAWS AGAIN

NO CONCESSIONS IN GAME WITH PORT Taieri and Port Chalmers conceded nothing to each other in the match at Tahuna Park, and the 6—all result was a fair indication of the merits—or demerits—of the two teams. Cross-field running and indiscriminate kicking were bad features of the play. The spectators’ interest was maintained, however, by the closeness of the scores.

After its form in holding the strong Pirates combination to a draw the week before, Taieri was popularly regarded as the likely winner. The forwards impressed as the better pack, but, on the other hand, Port Chalmers possessed a slightly superior rearguard, especially near the scrum, where Trainor (half-back) and D. Grant (first five-eighth) gave useful service.

Of the Taieri forwards, G. Johnstone and D. Wallace were perhaps the best, although L. Kovaleski and L. O’Donnell on occasions accomplished something worth while. In the Port Chalmers pack, J. Paris and N. Styles were solid. By a goal from a penalty converted by J. Smith, Port Chalmers led 3-nil at half-time. Taieri, however, equalised with a try scored by Wallace soon afterwards. Near the end, Smith again kicked a goal from a penalty, but three minutes later L. Couper snatched Port Chalmers’s lead away with an excellent goal from a penalty. The referee was Mr L. Giles.