RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22361, 28 June 1934, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SOUTH OTAGO v. EASTERN

A DRAWN GAME.

Before a large crowd at the Gore Showgrounds yesterday South Otago and Eastern played a drawn game, 12 points all. The match was ragged in the early stages, but improved considerably towards the conclusion and spectacular attacking movements by both sides kept the crowd to a high pitch of excitement. The ground was somewhat heavy after previous rain, but was drying and the ball kept dry throughout, permitting both teams to indulge in bright passing movements. There was no wind, but a bright sun made play difficult for the visitors in the early stages although it disappeared behind the trees before the first spell ended. South Otago fielded a team which appeared to be heavier than the Eastern representatives in all departments, with a few exceptions. In the first spell they had the better of the play and brought off some good passing movements which had the Eastern defence in trouble. Two tries were scored in quick succession and gave the visitors a good lead. Eastern made up three points of the leeway, but South Otago were soon six points in the lead again 1 and the spell ended with this good margin. Eastern brightened up considerably in the second spell and a rearrangement of the backs following the retirement of Baird with a hand injury appeared to work much better. Her-, ron contributed three points with his boot and this was the only kick of the day which went over the cross-bar, the goal kicking of both teams being surprisingly weak. A brilliant try by Crawford brought Eastern level and with both teams fighting for the lead the play became much more spectacular. Each team scored a further try before ■ the final whistle and South Otago were making strenuous efforts to draw ahead again when the match con- ( eluded. The South Otago pack were getting the lion’s share of the possession in the early stages and the visiting backs had plenty of opportunities to show their passing, but the Eastern scrum worked better in the second spell and McLennan sent his backs away smartly on a good number of occasions. In the lineouts the visitors appeared to secure the ball with more regularity than the Blacks. The South Otago, backs were dangerous when once away and only sound defensive play on the part of the I home side prevented a higher score. The Eastern backs showed a good deal of improvement on their previous appearances and were quick to seize opportunities, several of their tries being due to opportunistic play. The teams lined out as follows: — South Otago (Blue and White):—J. Roy; Rutherford, Jackman, Gold; Guest, Barron; Pringle; forwards, Dreaver, Storer, Murdoch, Robinson, A. Orr, R. Orr, C. Anderson, E. Richardson. Eastern (Black):—K. Martin; Traynor, A. Crawford, E. Wallis; C. Brain', G. Bird; G. McLennan; forwards, J. McCallum, R. Christie, M. Milburn, K. Stark, P. McKinlay, B. Herron, A. Spittle, R. Ward. Eastern won the toss and South Otago kicked off against the sun. The kick was abortive and a scrum was set in midfield. South Otago hooked cleanly and the backs were set in motion, but were well bottled up. Wallis was penalized for offside play and the Blues followed up fast, but Traynor found the line with a good return. , The Blacks advanced into the visitors’ territory where they were awarded a penalty kick. Ward had an attempt at goal which went wide and the ball was forced. The Blues were penalized at the kick-off for a man in front and after the scrum Eastern penetrated closely to the goal line. A series of line-outs followed, but South Otago eventually forced. Eastern were awarded a penalty

kick and the ball hit the corner post, the referee ordering a kick-off at the twenty-five. Guest threw a long pass to Jackman and made a good opening, but the latter dropped the ball. McLennan made a good breakaway, but held on too long. McLennan set his backs in motion from a scrum a few moments later and the ball went out to Crawford who cut through neatly. . He passed to Brain who returned quickly, but Crawford’s second pass was forward. From the scrum the Blacks found the line and a series of line-outs in a dangerous position followed, but the defence was sound. The Blues cleared shortly and play returned to mid-field. Rutherford broke away ard passed to Jackman who was brought down well inside the Blacks’ twenty five The ball went out and the Blacks forced play to neutral territory from the throw-in. Barron secured the ball well outside the twenty-five and had a long pot, which was just wide. A few moments later all the Blue backs handled in turn from a line-out at the twenty-five line and Gold made a splendid run to dive over at the corner. Roy’s kick failed to add tbe extra points.

South Otago 3, Eastern 0.

Rutherford made a good breakaway immediately after the kick-off and kicked high, but the ball went out. From a line-out at the Blues’ twentyfive line, McLennan secured and found the line a few yards from the goal line. A series of line-outs near the line followed, but the Blues presently cleared. Crawford had an attempt at goal from a central position, but the ball went wide. Rutherford kicked from midfield across field and had the Blacks in trouble but Martin just managed to touch the ball out. From the lineout the South Otago backs were set in motion and the ball was passed out to Gold’s wing, the latter diving over near the posts. Roy’s kick struck the upright and bounced back. South Otago 6, Eastern 0.

Eastern were on the attack immediately and after a piece of faulty passing Brain secured and kicked catching Roy in possession. The Eastern forwards and backs followed up quickly and forced themselves over, Traynor touching down. Herron was unable to convert.

South Otago 6, Eastern 3.

Ward was responsible for a good linefinder which gained valuable distance. The Blue backs were together in a loose rush which had the Blacks in trouble, but Brain cleared. A few moments later the Blues were back again in the twentv-five and Rutherford appeared to be over, but the referee ruled tackled ball. The Blues hooked cleanly and passed out smartly. Wallis intercepted a pass and kicked to clear right into Jackman’s hands and the latter had merely to dive over. Roy’s kick again failed. South Otago 9, Eastern 3.

Baird retired at this stage and was replaced by Tutty. The spell ended almost immediately. Eastern opened with more dash in the second spell and within the first few minutes showed better handling than in the earlier stages. The backs had been slightly rearranged, Crawford going to second five-eighths, Wallis to

centre and Tutty to the wing. The Blacks pressed into South Otago territory. but Jackman made a long kick downfield, which Wallis returned with a successful line-finder. The Blacks were awarded a penalty kick in midfield and Ward found touch a few yards from the goal line The Blacks pushed the scrum after the throw-in over the line and South Otago forced. A few moments later Eastern were again exerting pressure and the Blues forced down. Eastern were awarded a penalty well outside the Blues’ 25 and Herron kicked a good goal. South Otago 9; Eastern 6. A few minutes later Crawford equalized after a line-out in neutral territory. Brain cut in and passed out to Crawford, who showed his speed and raced over to touch down between the | posts. He failed to convert his own try. South Otago 9; Eastern 9. The crowd was raised to a high pitch of excitement immediately after when Crawford again cut through. He passed to Wallis, who knocked on a few yards from the goal-line. The Blues retaliated and carried play to the 25 line, but the Blacks cleared. - From a scrum in midfield, the Blues’ backs got into motion. The ball went to Guest, who passed out to Gold, who returned and Guest sent out to Anderson, who dived over. Roy’s kick was not successful. South Otago 12, Eastern 9. Eastern returned to the attack and Herron had an unsuccessful attempt to goal from a penalty kick. It was well followed up and the South Otago backs were in trouble—until the ball was put out well inside the 25. The Blacks secured from the line-out and McLennan cut in and passed to McCallum, who scored a good try. Herron’s boot again failed to convert. South Otago 12; Eastern 12. Guest broke away from a line-out, but was soon brought down. Martin was caught in possession and a scrum was set near the line, but McLennan cleared nicely. Tutty broke away and kicked but the Blues bottled up the attack, With time almost up the Blues were making strenuous efforts to regain their lead and Eastern had to force : down twice and Pringle had a pot at ■ goal, but failed. The game continued \ at a fast pace until the final whistle, ' the score being unchanged. , Mr R. Marshall was the referee. THIRD GRADE. j As a curtain-raiser to the represent- | j ative fixture, a third grade competition |] match was played, Pioneer defeating ( High School by six points to three.