LUCKY WIN FOR INVERCARGILL

Southland Times, Issue 24160, 24 June 1940, Page 9

LUCKY WIN FOR INVERCARGILL

PIRATES THROW AWAY CHANCES DASHING TRY SCORED BY P. F. JOHNSTON The Pirates team had itself to blame for failing to beat Invercargill. It had plenty of chances and much the better of the play. The backs shaped well at times, but indecision and a lack of finish at crucial periods cost the team tries. H. Fraser’s all-round play, L. Beals excellent line-kicking and the dash of two or three of the younger forwards were features. A snap try actually gained victory for Invercargill, which was given the hardest game of the round and was fortunate to go through without defeat. The loss of S. Purdue early in. the second half did not appear to have a detrimental effect on the scrum work of the forwards; they got more ball in that half than in the first half. R. Hillis, P. F. Johnston and R. G. Mahony played well. The teams were:

PIRATES: E. Calvert, R. Pickering, A. D. Fyffe, J. McKay, L. Beal, H. Peddie, H. Fraser, A. McEwan, H. Tinnock, I. Duff, J. Churton, Wright, Rogers, N. McEwan, A. Knight INVERCARGILL: A. Breen, P. F, Johnston, R. G. Mahony, B. L. Tapley, R. Hillis, J. W. Purdue, A. Kynaston, O McKay, R. Sutton, Withington, Pilcher, S. Purdue, A. Grant, A. Baird, Overton. . Pirates made most of the play in the first half, the forwards working hard and giving the backs plenty of chances. Fraser, playing his first game behind the scrum for a long time, was in rare form and opened up the play from all positions in the field. It was not until the half was well advanced that Pirates opened the score, however. Fraser had his jersey torn from his back and he no sooner had pulled on another than he made a break down the right-hand touchline and scored after a 20 yards bust. It was a praiseworthy solo effort and a reward for consistently good play. Beal failed to kick a goal. Pirates 3, Invercargill 0. , Just before half-time Pirates missed some golden opportunities in front of Invercargill’s posts. Peddie also failed in trying to put over a drop-kick. The Invercargill back line was rearranged in the second half, J. Purdue taking up the half-back position and Kynaston playing at first five-eighths. J Purdue kicked an easy penalty goal for Invercargill. Pirates 3, Invercargill

3. The exchanges between the forwards became willing and S Purdue was penalized for illegal tactics. A minute later he was ordered from the field by the referee for allegedly playing the man. A Pirates player was injured m the incident and retired to the sideline for a few minutes. With a quarter of an hour to play Invercargill gained the lead with a dashing try by Johnston Mahony got the ball in a passing rush and short punted across to Johnston’s wing. The latter was into his stride in a flash and, beating Pickering for the ball, raced over for a spectacular try. Purdue failed to goal. Invercargill 6, Pirates 3. The game ended without alteration to the scores. Mr T. Riddell was referee.

BAIRD CUP MATCH ON SATURDAY WESTERN DISTRICT TEAM SELECTED The following team has been selected to play for the Western District SubUnion in a Baird Cup match against Central District Sub-Ijnion at Otautau next Saturday:— Backs. —G. Cleveland; V. Watkinson, M. McKerchar, K. Klemick, L. Ward, P. Eccleton, G. Bulman; forwards, J. Daby. L. Ogilvie, J. Currie, J. Stuck, T. Fordyce, R. H. Ward, A. Smeaton and T. Smellie. Reserves: C. Thompson, L. Brown, J. C. Brown, M. Miller, J. Grindlay and VZ. Jones.