RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OTAGO WINS POOR GAME NORTH OTAGO FAILS IN SHIELD CHALLENGE (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 27. In a game below provincial standard, Otago repulsed by 12 points to nil the first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield ever' made by North Otago. A strong, gusty wind made conditions difficult. Otago, weakened by the withdrawal of D. Trevathan and C. C. Gillies, played without life in the first half, but considerably improved in the second. The visitors concentrated on spoiling tactics and in this were successful in holding the opposition. Except for the early stages, North Otago was persistently on the attack in the first half. Bustling tactics and judicious use of the line, especially by the visiting half-back, McLaren, kept Otago penned in its own territory, but a lack of good backs to finish off movements was the chief factor in North Otago’s failure to score. The first try came when Black, in clearing, ran to halfway, evading several tacklers, and handed on to Berghan, and the whole back line raced into action for McCartney to score a fine try in the corner. Taylor missed with the kick, but soon after kicked a penalty from a difficult angle. Otago 6, North Otago 0. Both teams continued to play disappointing football until half-time. Otago livened up in the second half, but although it had the better of the game, lack of cohesion, in addition to the spoiling work of the visitors, nullified many of its efforts. McDonald scored following a loose tuck by the forwards, and McCartney scored a second try after good work by Neiper, Berghan and caught the defence out of position. Taylor failed to convert both times, the game ending with the scores: Otago 12, North Otago 0.

WAIAU AND PIRATES DRAW L. WILSON KICKS THREE PENALTY GOALS A match was played between Pirates (Invercargill) and Waiau seniors on Rugby Park on Saturday as a curtainraiser to the representative fixture. The game resulted in a draw, 16 points all. Barnett opened Pirates score within a few moments of the start with a neat penalty goal from just outside the Waiau 25. Pirates 3, Waiau 0. Waiau immediately rushed play to the Pirates 25, where a penalty was attempted. The ball was misdirected and a force-down resulted. The country players took up the attack and, although Beal cleared, a combined rush by forwards and backs resulted in Buchanan scoring in the . comer for Waiau. The kick did not rise. Pirates 3, Waiau 3; The Pirates forwards set up a hot attack and from a ruck the ball went out to J. McKay, the Pirates wing, who showed speed in a dash down the line. He was held up on the line and play remained there until a forcedown relieved the position for Waiau. Apart from some good individual bursts by Waiau players Pirates remained on the attack and only solid defence kept it from scoring. From a line-out the Waiau backs were sent away and Mclntyre cut in at speed and ran right to Pirates’ line where his pass went astray, a forcedown resulting. Hard rucking and line-out work by the Waiau forwards resulted in a forward dribbling past the Pirates full-back and a certain try was lost ..when the ball rolled into touch-in-goal. There was no change in the scores at half-time.

Waiau, playing with much more cohesion, immediately went deep into Pirates territory and after some torrid play a force-down gave Pirates respite. Good solo play by Beal (Pirates) carried play to the Waiau 25, where a lucky speculator resulted in McLaughlan running through to score. The kick failed. Pirates 6, Waiau 3. From a ruck on the Waiau 25 line Morrison (Pirates) received the ball and raced,over for a good try between the posts.’ Peddie converted. Pirates 11, Waiau 3. Wilson (Waiau) kicked a neat penalty from an infringement from a good angle. Pirates 11, Waiau 6. A few minutes later Wilson kicked another penalty for Waiau. Pirates 11, Waiau 9.

Wilson kicked his third penalty for Waiau within a quarter of an hour from in front of the posts. Waiau 12, Pirates 11. Mclntyre potted a brilliant goal for Waiau. It was a snap shot and he was in the arms of a tackler when he kicked.. Waiau 16, Pirates 11.

R. Pickering scored a good try in the corner just on time for Pirates and Barnett converted with a good kick. The final scores were: Waiau 16, Pirates 16. The teams were: WAIAU (red, white and blue): G. Cleveland, J. Mouat, S. Young, B. Mouat, L. Charlton, E. Mclntyre, L. Wilson; J. Mclntyre, C. Knowler, I. Buchanan, J. Daly, G. McLeod, D. Jenkins, A. Rodgers, J. Stuck. PIRATES (black): R. Barnett, F. Rattray, R. Pickering, J. McKay, L. Beal, W. Morrison, H. Peddie; T. Potts, C. Farquharson, R. Tinnock, P. Amos, W. Wright, F. Pickering, W. Muir, A. Morgan. The referee was M. E. Barron.

SPECTACULAR WIN FOR CANTERBURY WEST COAST BEATEN IN LAST THREE MINUTES (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, August 27. The Canterbury Rugby representatives snatched a spectacular victory in the last three minutes of the return match against West Coast at Lancaster Park this afternoon. Canterbury won by 13 points to 8. It was a game of speed and action, and though many movements lacked polish there was plenty of excitement. The highlight of the match was Canterbury’s first try, in which three men handled in brilliant scissors passing which ended with the halb-back Clark, finishing the movement, which he began.

The West Coast team was weakened through the absence of R. R. King and P. Garden, who were unable to make the trip. West Coast early severely tested the Canterbury defence, and from the second of two free kicks Lynch (the Coast full-back) landed a penalty goal. The scores were evened a few minutes later, when the Canterbury full-back, Heazlewood, landed a penalty from the sideline 30 yards out. Then came a brilliant try by Clark, which Heazlewood converted, making the half-time score: Canterbury 8, Coast 3. West Coast opened the second half with a sensational try. The forwards swept all before them in a great rush that went the length of the field. Olsen

pounced on the ball when it rolled over the line and Lynch converted, thus evening the scores. From then until the end it was a fast, spectacular game. Just before the final whistle a Canterbury back attack broke down a few yards from the line. The ball rolled on and Pablecheque fell on it for a try. Heazlewood goaled, making the final score: Canterbury 13, West Coast 8.