OTAGO v. WAIRARAPA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 57

OTAGO v. WAIRARAPA.

THE NORTHERN TEAM DEFEATED.

The first interprovinoial match of the season was played at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon, when tho Otago representatives met tho Wairarapa Fifteen now touring the South Island. It was the first occasion on which local followers of Rugby had had the pleasure of a visit from Ihe Masterton men, and although tho visitors were outclassed, they will probably ho very formidable opponents on their own ground next year. The weather cleared up just in time, and the turf was in good order, though a tnfie heavy. Tho attendance must have been about 5000.

Coming to the match itse'f, it must be admitted that as an exposition of the game it was somewhat patchy. There were bits of oxce-llent play and a good deal that was decidedly mediocre. The Olago brcks won tho match, and they handled tho ball capitally, though, of course, they shone by contrast against tho Wnirarapa rear division, which is admittedly weak. The visitors exoalled in forward play, but, like most teams which rely solely on strength in front and are unsupported by good backs, they proved a poor scoring combination, and time after time carried the play up to tho enemy's line without getting over. The local forwards hold their own in the ecrum, but were beaifn on the line and in the op^n. In passing it might be mentioned that it is time the authorities shut down on the p-raotice of letting players put the ball in the Fcrum, and a fa ; r test of the scrummaging abilities of either side will not be obtained till the ball is put in by the referee Doubtless it is only human that players should rut the ball into the scium in a way that will be to the advantage of their own side ; but it would bo better if temptation were removed from them. A good deal of interest centred in the. arrangement of the Otago backs, and the result of Saturday's match fc''o^ed that practically all of them justified their selection. Adams, considering the fact that ho was quite now lo tho position of full back, did very well, and although ho got into trouble one or twice, his judgment was seldom at fault, and he is the makings of a really good full book. M'Kay's play wag watched closely, and hia- kicking was of immense value- to th^ Bh.es His chief fault is that he decs not wtich his vinu well enough, and se-veial times he let the \Yair<i-

rapa forwards away wh&n he might easily have come to the rescue and nipped the rush in the bud. Munro and Knowles played a fine game, particularly the former. Baxter was the pick of the three-quarters. The following-up of the Blues' forwards was poor, and the most active of the lot was Femwiek. The visitors had a fine full back in Udy, who never made a mistake. Their host thi-ee-quarter v,-33 Workman. Their forwards, who, by the way, must have been considerably heavier than tbe average weights set down om the official card, were ©specially good at foot work, and some of the;r dribbling excited the greatest admiration. They also show a gieat facility in getting off-side, but the referee was very indulgent. The touch judges were Messrs W. Ross (Otago) and Bairstow (Wairarapa). Mr K. Cameron (of Inveicargili) controlled the game, of whioh tho following is a more detailed account: —

Wakarapa (Green) kieked-off from the southern end, Be-nnet returning to the centre, where theie was some indecisive play among the forwards. The Blues' scrummers securing th© ball, the first passing iu.sh ensued, the leather going right out to M'Kay, who made a fine run till ©topped by Udy. The Greens shifted operations outside the twenty-five, when off -side play gave M'Kay a shot at goal, whioh was unsuccessful. Mare passiag amongst the Blues enabled Baxter to gain ground, and from the ecrum that followed Knowles made a pretty opening that enabled the speedy Kaikorai wing to streak over the line. Th© ball was placed for M'Kay, without the try being impioved. 3—o.3 — 0. The Blues sustained the attack, and after some warm work amongst the forwards Munro marked, and M'Kny redeemed his reputation by placing a beautiful goal from meai-ly halfway. 7—9.7 — 9. On kicking>-out a most determined rush by the Wairarapa forwards was pluekiiy stopped by Munro ; but the Greens were not to be denied, and dabbled the ball right up to the line. An infringement gave them a free kick, and ■through Rogers failing to kick a goal momentary relief came to the defenders. Tbe Wairarapa forwards, however, followed up gamely, and again crushed the Blues up on the line; but offside play gave the local men a free kick, and M'Kay punted into touch at the twenty-five flag. Scrummaging midfield again gave the ball to the Blues, and Knowles whipped it out to Munro. Hislop handled it next, eending it on to Benne-t, who cleverly cut, beating Rogers nnd then passing to M'Kay, who had a clear field. The ball was' grounded behind the posh, and Bennet. taking the lcicb, put it over the bar. 12—0. On kiclcing-out M'Kay let the Wairarapa forwards away, fcid Adams also got into difficulties ; but a timely punb from Knowles found touch. The Greens returned to the' attack, and rushed the ball up to the Otago line. Ow v of the scramble the ball was picked up by Macquire, and although the l:-tter was very much offside he scored between the posts. Rogers was entrusted with tho kick, but made a feeble attempt. 12— 5. Nothing further of interest occurred before half-time.

On crossing over, the first interesting bifof play was a rush by the Otago forwards, in which Femv ick and Tavlor (who were playing a fine game) gained a lot of ground. The Wairarapa forwards, with the ball at their feet, shifted play to the Otago line, and a let of tig'it sciumniagin? ensued which lasted for some minutes. At last a punt out into the field relieved pleasure, and M'Kay and William.? raced for the ball. M'Kay got in a speculator rhat sent the kather out at the halfway flag, and both sid&s had a bieather. Tho ball coming into play agoin, Abbott started a pacing rush among the forwards, giving the ball to Dunne. The latter got into difficulties, but Fenwick was handy, and, snapping up the ball, dashed over the line and scored in a fairly good position. M'Kay kicked a poster. 15 — 3. The Wairarapa again attacked, but one of M'Kay's heart-breaking kicks undid a!l their work. Shortly after Udy secured a mark in a fairly good positirm, and Rogers had another shot at goal, but the score remained unaltered. Fine passing amongst the Blues let Baxter away, and he streaked for the line at a great bat, but was tlvrown into touch well inside tho twenty-five. Scrummaging followed, the- Greens getting the be='t of it. Time was jailed 6hortly after, the result being: Otago ...15 points. Wairarapa ... 3 points.