WATER POLO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27273, 27 December 1949, Page 6

WATER POLO

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OTAGO REPRESENTATIVES Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Dec. 26. The Otago team, which has several strong contenders for a place In the Empire Games team, took the offensive at the outset in the first game of the national water polo championships against Taranaki. Their second shot at goal within a minute or two of the opening was successful, and the second goal followed almost immediately afterwards. Thereafter the score mounted steadily to 10 before a lucky backward throw gav« Taranaki its first goal just before half time. Good combination and accurate passing and shooting had been features of Otago’s play. . _ Taranaki showed to better advantage in the second spell, though Otago went on to goal thrice more before their opponents again scored. This goal followed, play around the goal following a good save by the Otago goalkeeper, W. C. Wallace. Otago scored the final goal shortly before time. The Otago players were probably affected to some extent In the later stages of the game by tire long spell in unaccustomed cold water following stormy weather overnight. Canterbury's superior positional play gave them a big win over Otago in the evening game. The Otago team’s play was not up to the standard of the morning though the very cold water may have had something to do with this. The Otago captain, C. N. Williams, and W. S. Williams played a good game and W. C. Wallace did well in goal. Good handling in the Canterbury goal helped to keep Otago’s score low, in spite of some good shots. Otago's passing, though not bad, was a little erratic at times. Canterbury was four up before Otago scored, and a further Canterbury goal made the score s—l at half time. Otago opened the scoring in the second half, but Canterbury came back with three goals in succession leaving the score B—3 when Otago goaled for the last time. Canterbury piled on a further four goals before the final -whistle The Otago team was: W. C. Wallace, W A. Williams, J. Brown, W. S. Williams. S. V. Williams, L. Wilson and C. N. Williams. «

Otago will meet Wellington tomorrow morning and Waikato in the evening. Taranaki played a much improved game in the evening session, and after being 6 —2 down at half time was led by Wellington only 7—6 at the final whistle. Waikato replied to an early lead by Auckland in the final game of evening and was only a goal behind —the score was 5—4 at half time. But Auckland goaled six times in the second spell to win 11 —4. , , After a referees’ meeting this morning it was announced that players would be allowed to sink an opponent in possession of the ball, but not to swim over him after doing so; and that a goalkeeper could stay in-goal for a corner throw. These are rules to which the attitude varies in different parts of New Zealand.