LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 53

LEAGUE

By

Forward.

THE OTAGO TOUR. The Otago tour has now been completed. It was unfortunate that Blazey, T. O’Connor, and Quinn were not able to take part in the tour, for they would undoubtedly have strengthened the combination considerably. Taking everything into consideration, the team did as weil as could be expected, although they won only two out of the first six matches. League football is flourishing on the West Coast and also in Christchurch and Auckland, and it was recognised that Otago would have to be represented by the very best teams to have a chance of success in those centres. However, most of the players are young and keen, with every prospect of lengthy football careers in front of them, and the experience gained on the northern tour will be of great value to them. The following is a summary of the matches played:— pts Otago 38 Buller .. .. 19 Otago 11 Inangahua .. 17 Otago 13 West Coast .. 23 Otago ...... 20 Canterbury .. 41 Otago 37 Wellington .. 5 Otago 22 Auckland . . • IO Otago 12 S. Auckland .. 36 Totals . . .. 153 174

THE GORE CUP. MARIST DEFEAT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. CHRISTCHURCH, September 22. The champion League club teams of Canterbury and Otago played this afternoon for the Gore Cup, held by Christchurch Marist. The holders kicked off against the Christian Brothers. Bennetts opened the visitors’ score with a good penalty. Then Marist got into their stride, playing a fine passing game, in spite of the greasy ground. Bond, after a run along the line, was pulled down near the norner, over which he dashed from a scramble a moment later. The scorer failed to goal. M'Kewen and Wills were held up on the Marist line, where Gillespie cleared with a run which ended in a try by Spillane. Brittenden goaled. From passing from a scrum, Pearce (the Marist winger) had the pace to carry him over in the corner. When near the line, T. O’Connor passed to Woodhouse, who scored. Halftime scores were: Marist 11, Christian Brothers 5. In the second spell the visitors went to the line, but Gillespie kicked through, to place Marist on attack. Bad handling kept play in mid-field for 10 minutes until Wills linked up the Otago team in a loose rush to the line, where T. O’Connor scored and Bennetts goaled, leaving the visitors a point behind. A brilliant movement started by Spillane was held up on the line, whence M'Kewen and T. O’Connor returned play to halfway. O’Connor’s fielding was first class. The crowd were thrilled when the hard-running Bond got away on the wing, but a push from Wills ■ sent him out at the twenty-five flag. Burns scored a great try after a swerving run, and Gillespie followed with three more points. The final score was:— Marist 17 points. Christian Brothers .. 10 points.

MAXWELL CUP COMPETITION. PACIFIC BEATS ATHELETIC A. The competition between the senior Rugby League teams for the cup presented by Mr and Mrs R. Maxwell was advanced another stage on. Saturday afternoon, when Pacific and Athletic A tried conclusions on the Caledonian Ground. Neither team gave a brilliant exhibition, although there were, some individual bright flashes of play. Pacific won by a margin of seven points, and the final game for the cup will be played between that team and Christian Brothers next Saturday. The conditions were not favourable. The ground was in good order, but a strong south-west wind carried the ball in all directions, and the players found it very difficult to gather in a pass most of the time. Up till Saturday three teams — Athletic A, Christian Brothers, -and Pacific—were equal with eight points each.

POSITION OF TEAMS.

The following table shows the positions of the teams engaged in the competition: —

Pacific had the advantage of a strong south-west wind in the first spell. Shortly after the kick off Athletic was penalised for a scrum infringement, and Blazey found the line with a strong kick, which put Athletic on the defence. A force down resulted. The Pacific backs then broke away, but the players ran straight across the field, gaining little ground. M'Cutcheon gathered in the ball and gained ground for Pacific, but he was well tackled by Blazey. A kick by Bryan in Athletic’s twenty-five was followed up fast by Blazey, who touched down behind the posts. The try was converted by Blazey A dribbling rush was started by Webber a minute later, and Blazey stopped it and again found the line with a well-judged kick. A fine breakaway was made by M'Kay near halfway, but he was quickly brought down by Blazey. Pacific continued to press their opponents. A passing movement was started by Dee. He sent the ball on to Blazey, who outpaced several opponents and scored wide out. Blazey’s kick was almost successful from a difficult angle, the ball striking one of the goal posts. Pacific kept up the pressure, and in a rush on the line an Athletic player just forced in time. A minute later Pacific was awarded a penalty kick in Athletic’s twenty-five, but Blazey failed to send the ball over the bar. The next incident of note was a strong run down the line by M'Cutcheon, but he was brought down just past halfway. Athletic was now showing to better advantage, play hovering in midfield for some minutes. The .relief, however, was only temporary. Maxwell kicked across the field, where Blazey secured and ran down the line. When brought down he passed out to Wall, who evaded Lamb’s poor attempt to stop him and touched down behind the posts. Blazey converted. Athletic, with a strong rush, worked to Pacific’s twentyfive, where Webber had a shot at goal from a penalty, but the ball fell short. Pacific quickly sent their opponents back, and when half time was called play was in Athletic’s twenty-five. Pacific 13 points. Athletic nil. Athletic, with the wind in its favour,, had the best of the play for some time after the game was resumed. Pacific was penalised, and Webber had another shot at goal, which was not successful. Webber sent his backs away a minute later, but Fraser failed to accept a pass and a certain score was lost. The strong -wind carried the ball far afield, and plajwas confined to Pacific’s territory for some time. Harbrow secured the ball at halfway and made a strong run, but was brought down when within a few yards of Pacific’s line. A few minutes later Harbrow secured and, after making a short run, passed to Fraser when collared by Blazey. Fraser appeared to have a i clear run for the line, hut Blazey was on him before he could touch down. Athletic launched attack after attack, and fought hard on Pacific’s line for several minutes Blazey was mainly responsible for clearing the danger zone. Athletic came away again, and J. Hunt struggled over at the corner. Webber failed with the kick. A minute later Harhrow kicked down field, and. T. Hunt, following up fast, gethered -in the ball and scored in a good position. Engstrom failed to convert. Pacific had the best of the game in the closing stages. The final scores were:— Pacific ...... 13 points. Athletic A ...... 6 points. AUCKLAND COMPETITION. AUCKLAND, September 23. In the semi-final of the Roope Rooster competition Ponhonby (5) drew with Newton (5), Marist (10) beat Devonport (5).

P. W. L. D. Fr. Agt. Pts. Pacific .. 6 5 1 0 52 36 10 Christian Brothers 4 1 0 112 32 8 Athletic A .. Is 4 2 0 66 50 8 Kaikorai .. • • o 2 3 0 35 71 4 City .. .. .. 5 1 4 0 30 26 2 Athletic B »* 6 0 5 0 33 103 0