UNINSPIRING DISPLAY

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

UNINSPIRING DISPLAY

Pirates Defeats Dunedin Pirates snatched a win from Dunedin by 6 points to nil in the final 12 minutes of the main match at Carisbrook, which produced a most uninspiring display. Dunedin has not yet won a game this season, but with a little luck on Its side, it could have beaten Pirates. Regarded as one of the strongest packs in the competition, the Pirates forwards played disappointingly, and it was only in the last quarter of an hour that they showed any dash or life. The All Black, K. Skinner, and J. C. Pilling were far less prominent than usual. The All Black vice-captain, R. A. Dalton, on the other hand, was always prominent and did his best to rally the pack, while his line-out work was of a high order. H. King hunted the ball closely, and until he was injured, in the closing stages of the game, W. M. McLauchlan played constructively. E. Dowland had a keen duel with C. Todd, whose hooking assured Dunedin of a good supply of the ball. Todd was Dunedin’s best all-round forward. The Dunedin pack battled strongly throughout, with D. Lowe.-J. Skinner and J. O’Brien giving Todd good support. A. R. Haig opened up the play well and gave a good display at • half-back, while L. Lawrence got through an immense amount of work alongside him, both in attack and defence. Frequently, when Pirates were attacking in the final stages, Lawrence got his side out of trouble with excellent clearances. The most dangerous of the Dunedin backs, however, was R. Matchett, who played most promisingly at centre, and was always endeavouring to make play. Matchett made several fine runs, one of which caught the Pirates defence on the wrong foot. He gave to K. Curran near the line, but the latter was brought down, and a penalty brought Pirates relief. Matchett retired with a leg injury shortly before the end of the game. If Dunedin had the better lot the first 20 minutes of the second half, however, Pirates repeatedly stormed the defence in the last quarter of an hour, and A. L. Mclndoe scored the only try of the game when he went round the short side of a scrum and, without a hand being laid on him, ran in from about 30 yards out. Three minutes from the end the fullback, C. G. Graham, fielded a clearance and. running infield, potted a fine goal from 40 yards out. Graham played a most serviceable game, kicking well and doing some solid rush-stopping. The most impressive of the Pirates backs, however, was R. H. Bell, on the wing. He had few chances in combined passing movements, but proved adept at making his own play, and showed keen anticipation when he came across to the opposite flank to prevent Curran from scoring. There was much mishandling by both sides, the ball rarely travelling right along the line of backs. The referee was Mr R. Familton.