BAIRD CUP WON BY WESTERN

Southland Times, Issue 24166, 1 July 1940, Page 3

BAIRD CUP WON BY WESTERN

CENTRAL DEFEATED BY 16 TO FIVE STRONG ATTACK IN SECOND HALF At Holt Park, Otautau, on Saturday, the Central district representative team (the holder of the Baird Cup) failed to withstand the challenge of the Western in the first of the two matches played annually for the trophy. Western won by 16 points (two converted and two unconverted tries) to five points (a converted try by Central). The ground was in good order in the early stages, but became greasy as the game proceeded. Central shaped well in the first spell and led by five points to three at half-time. It held a territorial advantage up to this stage, but in the second spell Western turned the tables, both forwards and backs combining in better style. R. Ward and T. Fordyce were prominent in the Western pack, while M. McKerchar was seen to advantage in the back division. For Central, D. Chilton and I. McDougall Jed the vanguard, and A. Marshall and R. Thornbury were to the fore among the backs. The teams were:—

WESTERN: G. Cleveland, V. Watkinson, M. McKerchar, K. Klemick, P. Eccleton, L. Ward, G. Bulman, J. Daly, L. Ogilvie, J. Currie, J. Stuck, T. Fordyce, R. H. Ward, A. Smeaton, T. Smellie.

CENTRAL. —H. Hammond, R. Pettitt, J. Wood, R. Gibb, R. Thornbury, A. Marshall, C. McKenzie, C. Kettle, D. Chilton, M. McDowell, F. Kitto, J. Sands, I. McDougall, R. White, F. Casey. Western opened the scoring when McKerchar crossed, Currie missing with the kick. Western 3, Central nil. Central quickly returned to the attack and kept up the pressure, for Sands to go across the Western line for a try in a handy position. Marshall converted. Central 5, Western 3. Play was centred at half-way when the half ended.

Western was better organized after resumption of play, and Fordyce put Western ahead when he scored near the posts. Currie converted. Western 8, Central 5. Thornbury and later McDowell retired injured from the Central ranks and were replaced by L. Pearce and L. Grimwood.

Western kept hammering at the Central defence, and from a scrum Bulman scored, Currie converting the try with a good kick. Western 13, Central 5. Western continued to attack and from a melee near the Central line, Stuck went across for a try. Currie failed with the kick. Western 16, Central 5. Full time was sounded almost immediately afterwards. Mr R. Ferguson, of Invercargill, was the referee.