EASTERN DISTRICTS RUGBY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 7

EASTERN DISTRICTS RUGBY

Palmerston and Waikouaiti are now joint leaders in the Eastern Districts’ Rugby competition as a result of Satur-, day’s play. After, a hard-fought first half in the match with Waikouaiti, Palmerston led by 11 points to 6. The forwards and backs combined well in the second half and ran out winners by 22 points to 12. Tries were scored by Hitchcock (2), Jopson, Paul and Humdell, McLelland converting two and kicking one penalty. For Waikouaiti Leckie scored a try and Templeton kicked three penalties. Gray kept the Palmerston forwards together, while McLelland in the backs set a fine example as captain in sound tackling and fast following up. Bayley, Bradley and Marshall were a solid trio in the Waikouaiti pack. The backs, however, had few opportunities to show their form. Shag Point met Dunback at Dunback and won by 12 points to 3. In the first spell the game was ragged, but with reconstructed backlines in the second spell the standard improved. For Shag Point Matheson, Nicolson and Mansell scored tries, while L. Thomson kicked a penalty from halfway. R. Glover scored for Dunback. Walker played an outstanding game in the Shag Point pack, while O Matheson showed up for Dunback. In the junior games, Waikouaiti defeated Palmerston by 15 points to 3, and Shag Point (81 beat Waititi (6). The draw for Saturday is:—Seniors: Dunback v. Waikouaiti, at Waikouaiti: Shag Point v. Palmerston, at Palmerston. Juniors: Waitati v. Palmerston, at Palmerston: Waikouaiti v. Shag Point, at Showgrounds.