RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 193, 19 September 1914, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

OTAGO DEFEATED. ~-. ~

"WELLINGTON'S EASY WIN. Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 10. " The annual representative match between Otago and Wellington was played at the Athletic Park this afternoon in the presence of between iJOOO and 4000 spectators. Witli a fair northerly breeze against them, Otago took the kick, but were quickly thrown back into their own country, a kick by Fisher counteracting an attempted invasion. A breach by Wellington was advantageous to the visitors, and, headed by Brown, in a loose rush, Otago further improved their position. A strong forward attack by Wellington took play to the other end, when two. or three rushes by the local backs were intercepted. They continued their snappy passing tactics, and, at last, Algar was enabled to get over, Jjeing assisted by Fisher and Brown. , Evenson 's kick failed. Wellington .'3, Otago 0.

A fast sortie by Otago, in which Irvine and Denham were prominent, had the home team hard on the defensive, but Roberts, the Wellington half back, got the ball away, and opened up the game again, the ball rapidly changing hands, and then remaining at Otago-s •twenty-five for some time. A penalty was awarded to Wellington, and Roberts, from near the half-way line, sent the ball beautifully over tlie crossbar. Wellington 0, Otago 0. ; . Otago were playing strongly," but were unable to assume the aggressive. From another penalty Roberts made a further effort to kick'a goal, but this time he failed, and a long pot by Evenson immediately afterwards met the same fate. Jin the third attempt, as the result of afi infringement by Otago, Roberts was successful, a long-range shot passing between the .posts. Wellington 9, Otago 0. • A solus, run by Evenson was neatly foiled by AVatson, but Otago were once more penalised, and again Roberts kicked a goal from hear half-way, and the score was: Wellington 12, Otago o. Second Spell.

Upon resuming, Otago set up a warm attack, and a .scrum right on Wellington's line resulted in Roberts getting the ball away, and, after a spectacular passing rush, which carried the ball right to the other eiid, Wilson scored for Wellhigtou. ' Roberts kicked a goal. Wellington 17, Otago 0. Otago resumed the pressure, but- the wind carried the ball too far, and a touch in goal'was ail that resulted. With their opponents' goal-line in such close proximity, however, Otago were not to <b& denied, and some hot scrambling eudSed \n Denham failing over and scoring "The-visitors' first try. Watson, converted. Wellington 17, Otago 5.

Once more Wellington took the offensive, and E. Ryan was successful in carrying play to Otago's twenty-five, relief coming to the visitors owiug to # mark by Watson. With the play in their favour, Of;ago were awarded a kick, and Patterson kicked" a magnificent goal. Wellington 17, Otago 8. The visitors were now putting a great deal of dash into their efforts, and the game became very fast for ,a while. T.he Otago forwards got tinder way in great style, and all efforts to avert their attack were unsuccessful.

Tliere was a sprint by several members of both teams'as the ball shot over Wellington's line, but it eluded an Otago forward who tried to fall on it, and it bounced to the dead, ball line. Otago continued to press strongly, and the home line was continually menaced, until from a scrimmage right on the line Tansey, an Otago forward, scrambled over. The kick failed. Wellington 17, Otago 11. The home 'team rallied again, and the game became 'very* fast. Otago swarmed forward once more irresistibly, but, with an increased effort, Wellington beat them back to their twenty-five and Wilson dashed' over, Roberts converting. . Wellington 22, Otago 11. Just on time Bell scored Wellington's last try, which was unconverted, and the game ended:— , . Wellington .... .. 25 • Otago ... .. ..• u 11

WINS BY DEFAULT. Only two'fifth grade Rugby' matches were set down for decision to-day, and in each case a win by default was recorded, the winners being Northern and Waltham Marists, to whom Lyttelton and Western respectively defaulted.