EXCITING STRUGGLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 6

EXCITING STRUGGLE

TAIERI EXTENDS SOUTHERN A hard and even forward struggle, with occasional flashes of scintillating back play, marked the match in which Southern beat Taieri by 13 points to 6 at Mosgiel. Southern’s pofnts came from a converted try, a converted penalty try, and a penalty, and Taieri was successful with two penalty kicks. Southern's main strength lay In its more polished back ilne. for the Taieri forwards did not concede anything to the Southern pack in the first half, and received slightly the better of exchanges in the second spell. The better .back movements of the Southern players allowed them to make deep thrusts into Taieri territory, and when on defence there was always a man backing up. In this respect the captain and half-back, L. S. Woodhouse. was particularly outstanding. , , , , . The Taieri forwards realised that their main worry would come from the Southern backs at an early stage of the game, and their loose players worried Woodhouse continually in rucks and scrums. He varied hi s tactics cleverly, however, and his passing from scrums was good throughout the match. The handling of the Southern backs was often a treat to watch, and they made several dangerous thrusts with clever scissor s movements from the centre of the field. A. Howley was a strong runner, but ruined many good movements by racing across, field instead of straightening the attack. J. B. Peck played solidly throughout. D. Wallace was a toiler in the Taieri pack in the tight and was often prominent in good line-out play. D. Young took part In several dangerous loose rushes for Southern, and was responsible for a try being scored. He also played his part in the tight. , _ .. Peck kicked a penalty goal for Southern and converted a try scored by A. Howley and a penalty try awarded to D. Young. L. Couper kicked both of Taleri’s penalty goals. Mr J. Stewart wa s the referee. LOWER GRADES Second Grade.—Pirates 15, Kaikorai 12; Training College 42, Ravensbourne nil; Zingari-Richmond 13, West Taieri 8; University D 31, Taieri 5: Alhambra 15, Port Chalmers 11. „ , , . ~ Third Grade.—Section I: Brighton 11, Pirates B nil; Pirates A 9. Zingari-Rich-mond nil; Kaikorai 8, Green Island 6. Section 2: Southern 17, Alhambra 6; Zin-gari-Richmond 11, Pirates C 6: Green Island 11. Dunedin B 11. . Fourth Grade.—Section 1: Kaikorai 14. Pirates A 5 Section 2; Zingari-Rich-mond 6, Alhambra 6; Kaikorai B 11, OBHS 6 Fifth Grade.-*-Section 1; Union 14, Southern 3; OBHS 23. Alhambra A 6; Zin-gari-Richmond 11, Dunedin 3. Section 2: King’s 90. Alhambra B nil: McGlashan 58, Pirates nil. OTHER CENTRES Invercargill.—Old Boys 16, Marist 10; Bluff 6, Collegiate 5; Pirates 19, Star ■ 3; Invercargill 25, Waikiwi 0. • Christchurch.—Old Boys 22, Merivale 11; Technical Old Boys 23, Linwood 15; Christchurch 24. Sydenham 3: Marist 12, Sunnyside 3. , , Wellington.—Marist 12, Hutt 11; Wellington 6, Taita 0; St Patrick's Old Boys 18. Onslow 10; Oriental 9. University 0, Petone 3, Athletic 3; Poneke 13. Wellington College Old Boys 10 Auckland.— Training College 3, North Shore 3; Ponsonby 8, University 6, Grafton 11, Grammar 9; Marist 8, Northcote 0; Otahuhu 14. Suburbs 5.