SENIOR RUGBY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27165, 22 August 1949, Page 3

SENIOR RUGBY

Eastern Districts Win Although not spectacular, a hard match between Eastern Districts (Palmerston) and North Otago B was played at the Show Grounds on Saturday and resulted in a win for the visitors by 14 points to 12. Wild passing by both sets of backs spoilt many movements and tended to make the game ragged. The teams were:—• Eastern Districts: I. Paul, Mackintosh, W. Templeton, W. Kerr, E. Townsend, N. McLean, J. Meggett, Barlow, N. Thompson, F. Hitchcock, G. G. Ray, D. Walker, J. Murcott, E. Marshall, A. Murray. North Otago: J. Ingram, A. Berry, G. Rainey, H. Pittaway, R. Robertson, R. Collett, W. McAughtrie, G. Williamson, A. Hore, R. McCone, W. Rawcliffe, A. Curry, M. Greaney, L. Hill, D. Direen. For the greater part of the match play was confined to the forwards, although the backs had ample opportunity to show their skill. Both teams were fairly evenly matched, but territorially the advantage was in favour of North Otago. One or two bright movements wer staged, but these were few and far between. After about 20 minutes’ play Eastern Districts opened its account when A. Murray touched down after the visitors had forced their way over the line following a scrum. Eastern Districts increased its lead to B—nil after one of the few bright movements. A scrum on the North Otago twenty-five saw the ball travel from Barlow to McLean, who raced round on the blind side and out-passed to W. Kerr, who in turn carried the ball to North Otago's line and in-passed to McLean, who scored wide out. W. Templeton converted. Towards the end of the spell A. Berry, who was the best back on the field, kicked two goals from penalties to make the halftime score. Eastern Districts 8. North Otago (1. In the opening stages of the second half North Otago had the edge on its opponents, but a penalty in front enabled Templeton to increase Eastern Districts' lead by 3 points. Several North Otago forwards and backs combined in a bright passing movement which ended in H. Pittaway scoring. Within a matter of minutes Berrv placed North Otago in the lead by 12 points to 11 by kicking a goal from a penalty. Eastern Districts’ final points came from a goal from a penalty kicked bv Templeton from wide out. Towards the closing stages of the match an Eastern Districts player, Barlow, was ordered off after being cautioned several times. The game ended: Eastern Districts 14 North Otago 12 Mr R. Hedges was the referee. Lower Grades The first round of the Junior Ralph Cup knockout competition was played on Saturday. Last year’s winners. Old Boys, had a decisive win over Enfield by 30 points to nil, and Excelsior beat Athletic by 3 points to nil. Old Boys and Excelsior will now meet in the final. Third Grade matches resulted: Maheno 11, Old Boys 3; Athletic 14, Excelsior nil.