ATHLETIC BEATEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 3

ATHLETIC BEATEN

RUGBY COMPETITION MAHENO’S SURPRISE WIN Not. until the final stages of the Senior Rugby match at the Show Grounds, between Excelsior and Athletic, when Excelsior made a concerted effort, W’as the issue placed beyond doubt. Although at one stage Excelsior had a nine-point lead, Athletic scored 8 points in quick succession and appeared to be gaining the upper hand. A try by F. Diver (Excelsior), how'ever, proved to be the turning point of the match and during the last 10 minutes Excelsior's fitness decided the match. At Maheno the home side gained a surprise win over Old Boys by 11 points to 3. The position of the teams at the completion of the first round is:—

Tlie match between Athletic and Excelsior soon developed into a hard, rugged game, with Excelsior having a slight territorial advantage in the first half. Both sets of forwards w'orked with a willingness seldom seen in club football in North Otago, and it was not until well on in the first half that Excelsior opened its account. Both teams had opportunities to score from goals from penalties but failed to do so, although several kicks by J. HalvOrsen just missed. Excelsior’s first points came from a try by A. Hopley after a good back movement in which H. Pittaway made an opening, to be brought down just short of the line.

In the second half play opened up and both teams made more use of their backs. Excelsior increased, its lead when, from a scrum on Athletic’s twenty-five, Sew'ers used the blind side to pass to H. Pittaway to A. Hopley, who scored just outside the posts. Shortly afterwards F. Diver further increased Excelsior's lead by kicking a goal from a penaltv from the twenty-five. At this stage Athletic fought back hard and from a brilliant opening by E. Collins, play was carried to Excelsior’s line, where, from a ruck, K. Connors gathered in the ball to dive over and score Athletic’s first points. Halvorsen converted. Excelsior 9, Athletic 5. Shortly afterwards, Collins made another brilliant run, and with a series of side-

steps and short runs, was rewarded with the finest try of the match. Excelsior 9, Athletic 8. Excelsior added another 10 points to its total before the final whistle. Play was carried to Athletic's twfcnty-five where a clearing kick by J. Ingram (Athletic fullback) was charged down and F. Diver, moving up quickly, scored in a handy position for Sawers to convert. Excelsior 14, Athletic 8. Within a few minutes H. Pittaway increased Excelsior’s lead by touching down after A. Hopley had kicked through. Sawers converted to make the final score Excelsior 19. Athletic 8. Mr T. Cahill was the referee. Old Boys v. Maliciio Maheno gave its best performance of the season to beat Old Boys at Maheno and secure its first win in two years. S. Turner, who gave a polished performance on the wing for Maheno, scored eight of his team's 11 points—two goals from penalties and a conversion. Dalgety got the remainder of the points with a try. It was not until the closing stages of the match that Old Boys opened their account, although they had several opportunities to do so from goals from penalties. Maheno adopted bustling tactics and kept the dangerous Old Boys backline in check. Old Boys’ points came from a goal from a penalty kicked by A. Berry. Lower Grades Junior.—Old Boys 15, Enfield 6; Excelsior 12, Athletic nil. Third Grade.—Excelsior 6, Athletic 3.

P. W. L. Points F. A. Ch, Excelsior .. 3 3 — 62 28 6 Athletic .. . ..3 2 1 42 24 4 Maheno •. ..3 1 2 22 54 2 Old Boys .. 3 — 3 17 37 — Rugged Game