CITIZENS’ SHIELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27383, 8 May 1950, Page 4

CITIZENS’ SHIELD

END OF FIRST ROUND CLOSE CONTEST TO DATE Old Boys, who caused some surprise last Saturday by drawing w.th last season's Citizens' Shield winners. Excelsior, were trounced by Athletic by 30 points to nil on the Oval on Saturday. Splendid overhead conditions prevailed, but a crosswind made kicking d fficult. Excelsior beat Maheno at Maheno by 24 points to nil. With the first round of the Citizens' Shield completed, only two points separate the three town' teams. Excelsior heads the list with 5. followed by Athletic 4 and Old Boys 3. Athletic v. Old Boys From the first whistle, Athlet e went to the attack, and for the whole of the game, with the exception of the opening stages in the second half, the team was rarely out of Old Boys' territory. The mobility of the Athleiic pack was the deciding factor in the match, and its backs received a good supply of the ball from rucks and line-out play. Old Boys, with R. Twaddle hook ng, dominated the set scrums, and it was from these that it made most of its attacking play. Reorganisations in the inside backs of both teams, through the unavailability of injured players, was necessary, but Athletic’s combination proved superior to its opponent's. Athletic’s points came from seven tries, three of which were converted, and a goal from a penalty. Old Boys were able to hold Athletic in the second half until well on into the spell, but again Athletic came into its own, when W. Henderson scored his second try, which was converted by J. Halvorsen. Shortly after Halvorsen kicked a goal from a penalty. In a final breakthrough by Athletic, R. Hill gathered in the ball to score behind the posts, and Halvorsen added the extra points to make the final score: Athlet c 30, Old Boys nil. Mr F. Williamson was the referee Excelsior v. Maheno The combination of the Maheno and Enfield Clubs showed to advantage in the first game they played together, and. as several of the Enfield players were not available on Saturday, the team should be further strengthened in the near future. Excelsior's score of 24 points to nil was not a fair indication of the run of the play,' and several of the Maheno players showed dash which will bring results when the team becomes more organised with its recent additions. Excelsior's scoring opened with a goal from a penalty by I. Nuttall, which was followed by an unconverted try by D. Alexander. G. Ovens completed a “ hat. trick ’’ by scoring a try in each of the three matches in the first round of the competition, and he converted his own try to' make the score 11 to nil at half time. V. Smith opened the scoring in the second half with a try which was converted by I. Nuttall. E. Savvers scored soon after, and his try was converted by G. Edmenstone. G. Edmenstone scored a try to make the final 24 to nil in Excelsior’s favour. Lower Grades Junior.—Old Boys 9, Excelsior nil. Third Grade.—Athletic 6, Old Boys 3: Maheno 14, Excelsior nil. Fourth Grade—Athletic beat Enfield by default.