NOT DISGRACED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27275, 29 December 1949, Page 6

NOT DISGRACED

Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Dec. 28. Otago was beaten but certainly not disgraced in the final game of the National Water Polo Championships today. Auckland was simply the better team in a game in which both sides played first-class water polo. Each team had been previously beaten only by Canterbury, and their meeting, which turned out to be the final game of the championships, promised to be a feature of the tournament. The spectators were not disappointed. Auckland’s positional play was excellent, denying the Otago players the freedom of movement which has been a feature of their play. Otago went straight to the attack when the whistle blew, and very soon had two goats, followed by another two after Auckland had scored following an Otago infringement. Auckland's second goal came in a high shot from a free throw, and the third soon after when advantage was taken of faulty Otago handling. This made the half-time score 4-3. , ~ Otago goaled again shortly alter the resumption, but this was the last of their scoring movements. Auckland soon drew level ana, playing with great dash now that victory was in sight, went ahead to win by two goals. This win by last year’s trop.iy holders made them runner-up to Canterbury for the championship, Otago taking third place. The manager of the Otago team, Mr G. Hill, said Canterbury had played a very good game in the tournament and deserved their win. The Otago team had played well, however, and they would come back next yeijr.