FIRST WIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27383, 8 May 1950, Page 6

FIRST WIN

Union Beats Port Chalmers With better combination and more pace, Union out-played Port Chalmers at the North Ground to score its first win of the season. Union, which scored its 17 points in the first half, owed most of tts success to the forceful play of R. R. Elvidge, and to its enthusiastic, hardrucking forwards, who packed tighter and hooked the ball faster and more often. With several of its usual players absent, Port Chalmers Jacked combination, but there were nevertheless some fine concerted forward rushes —especially in the second half—and some bright individual movements in the backs. R. Flynn, the stock Port wing, made some spirited runs and scored an excsllent try in the first half, and J. Perry, the centre three-quarter, was also prominent. The forwards. G. Forgie, J. Twiss and D. Lean, worked hard in the rucks and line outs. The Union back line carried out all its movements with precision, and showed the benefit of Elvidge’s experience. Passes were crisp and cleanly taken, and the outside men received some good opportunities. The first five-eighth, L. McKay, and E. Cameron, at centre, made some clever breaks and backed up well. I. McLaren, on the wing, also played a resourceful game. Elvidge gave an excellent display, and, besides scoring one of the tries, made the openings for most of the others. R. Smith, G. Porteous and J. McCrorie were the most noticeable of a good, all-round pack. For Union, tries were scored by Elvidge, McLaren, Cameron and R. Legge. R. Smith kicked a goal from a penalty, and Cameron converted a try. R. Flynn and R. Wellgreen scored tries, and Flynn converted a try for Port Chalmers. The referee was Mr G. McDowell.