RUGBY BATTLES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19104, 27 August 1936, Page 7

RUGBY BATTLES

SHIELD RETAINED OTAGO WINS 26—3 TOO GOOD FOR S. CANTERBURY MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, last nigh I. A calm overcast sky and I lie Carisbrook Park ground in perfect order made the conditions ideal for the Ranfurly Shield match this afternoon between Otago, holders, and South Canterbury, challengers, the former learn winning by I'ti points to three. The attendance numbered about 17,000 people, including a large contingent from Timaru and adjacent towns.

The South Canterbury forwards came with a. great reputation ami there were many who thought that their superiority over Otago would turn the scale sufficiently in the visitors' favour to enable them to wrest the shield from the holders. Right from the start the Olago forwards dominated the play and, as the game progressed, their superiority in every department became more marked. They gave a magnificent display of team work and hooked the ball in the scrums almost monotonously. Saxton, the Otago half, gave a clever display and Trevathan, al first five-eighth, showed the value of a good boot. He accounted for 17 out of Otago's 26 points—two potted goals, one trv and three conversions, two from the touchline. Watt, the fast winger, was not favoured by the run of play, but scored a wonderful try after beating three men in a 40yds. sprint down the touchline. Taylor, at fullback, gave a flawless exhibition. The visitors' forwards, though outclassed, played well individually, Thompson, Robertson and Strang being prominent. The backs, while they defended stoutly, showed no initiative in attack, the passing usually going straight across the ground. Gaffaney, at first five-eighths, lacked penetration and quite failed to straighten up the attack. EARLY POINTS PROM GOALS From the kick off, the Otago forwards swung into the attack and Watt carried on to within 10yds. of the line. South Canterbury quickly retaliated, forcing play into the Blues' territory. A kick through by Trevathan, backed up by his forwards, changed the scene of operations to South Canterbury's twenty-five, but a penalty against Otago enabled Gaffaney to find the line at half-way. The Otago forwards came back in a body to within 10yds. of the visitors' line, but {mother free kick saw play again at half-way. Otago again attacked and Trevathan potted a goal from 35yds. out. From the kick off, South Canterbury reached Otago's twenty-five for the first time, play having been in progress 25 minutes. South Canterbury were making frequent attempts to open out, but their passing generally was straight across the ground. An attempt to pot by Morrison went outside the posts and Otago forced. From a scrum, Saxton sent the hall out to Trevathan, who again sent the ball fairly 'between the posts.

A hard forward attack by the visitors went (dose to the Otago line. The Olago forwards were overshadowing their opponents, and from a strong attack, Gillies obtained possession am! ran in, but was called back for a knock-on. Half-time was called with Otagr leading by eight to nil. DEADLY TACKLING Opening the second spell, a fvco kick to Otago enabled Taylor to find the line deep in the visitors' territory, and McSkimming just failed to score from a passing rush. Immediately after, Taylor missed with a pot at goal. A good kick by Trevathan made ground .and Hore charged down a luck to go ovov at the corner, but the referee ruled a knock-on. The South Canterbury forwards carried play into Otago territory, but a free kick sent them back. The visitors' backs threw the ball about, but were ineffectual against the deadly tackling by Otago. The Otago forwards continued to dominate play, which was mainly confined to South Canterbury territory. From a serum in front of the visitors' goal, Trevathan tried to manoeuvre

for a pot, but the kick was charged down ami the South Canterbury for wards carried tne • ball to half-way. Black came away with a brilliant solo run to the twenty-five, and a great rush by the Otago forwards took the ball to the visitors' line, where Hore forced his way over wide out. Taylor'* kick missed. A WONDERFUL DASH Immediately after the kick off, th< Otago backs swung into action aim Watt, obtaining his first real oppor tunity of the match, put in a wonder ful dash of over 40yds. to score at the corner, after beating three men. Trevathan kicked a great goal. A minute from the kick-off a passing rush by the Otago forwards and backs from half-way saw Hore again cross, Trevathan converting from the touchline. A brief attack by South Canterbury was easily countered and Otago again attacked hotly. From an attack near South Canterbury's line, Saxton work ed the blind side and dummied his way through to send Trevathan ovei wide out. The latter converted wit! a great kick. Otago continued to make practically all the play, and Walt was prominent in another great run. Right on time, South Canterbury were given .a free kick in a handy position and Morrison goaled, the game ending Otago 2G, South Cante? bury 3. •

Mr. S. Hollander, Christdntivh, was the referee.