RUGBY WIN FOR SOUTH CANTERBURY

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22044, 18 August 1941, Page 8

RUGBY WIN FOR SOUTH CANTERBURY

Representative Game With North Otago Difficult Conditions Playing through intermittent showers on a sodden ground swept by a bitter southerly, the South Canterbury representative team at Fraser Park on Saturday defeated North Otago by 11 points to eight and avenged the defeat suffered at Oamaru in the first match of the season. In spite of the unfavourable conditions, the game was contested at a smart pace, and there was plenty of incident to satisfy the gallery of 150 spectators as the forwards attacked and counter-attacked in thrilling loose rushes and the backs tried to throw the ball about in defiance of the treacherous foothold and slippery handling. There were also many amusing sidelights as the ball and ground played tricks, particularly as several quagmire parts of the ground were strangely popular. Well into the second half the home team Lad an 11-0 lead and appeared to be riding easily, when North Otago came with a late run and snatched two tries, of which one was converted. On the run of the play the points were well deserved and the final score was a fairer indication of the merits of the teams. The highlight of the match was the fine performance of the South Canterbury forwards in the loose. Outweighted in the scrums and bea’ n consistently for the ball, they revell d in the open field, harried the North Otago insides and frequently claimed chunks of territory with sweeping rushes. Their defence was solid also, and needed to be. Playing a tireless game, F. Garty was the spearhead of the forward attack and he was well supported by L. Campbell and P. Fitzgerald. The strength of the North Otago pack was in the tight where they made the most of their weight. Their solid packing was an object lesson to the shiners and, while some of the heavier members did not seem at home on the slippery ground, their occasional hand to hand passing bouts gave some indication of what they might have tone on a drier ground. ,R. Twaddle, P. Chappell and L. Blanchard were the most prominent. Although the day was an outing for the forwards, the backs were well in the picture. Finished movements were practically out of the question, but both rearguards handled surprisingly well and North Otago, particularly in the opening stages, went away in bold moves as if the moisture did not matter. The outstanding game on the field was played by the South Canterbury full back, J. Goddard. He handled with uncanny accuracy and, lining splendidly with the wet ball, he repeatedly got his side out of trouble and saved his forwards a lot of running about. His solo try was a fine effort, and while he appeared to have had time to get rid of the ball when the visitors got their last try, the incident detracted little from a sterling game. R. Lundy also played one of his best games of the season and with a sure pair of hands and tricky manoeuvring on the wet ground frequently jigged his way through to make openings. It was his opportunitism in the home 25 which paved the. way for South Canterbury’s most spectacular try. L. Goodson, s behind the scrum, had a torrid time, but sent his passes out well. The North Otago backs missed the hard kicking R. Hammill, whose versatility would have been most welcome on the day. The Yellows, did not lack enterprise and well served by I. Paterson from the scrum tried to keep

the ball off the ground. They called the tune in the first quarter when B. Robertson, J. McKone and G. Reid went very close, particularly when Robertson swung Lie movements back into the forwards. As the game progressed the rai i and the spoiling tactics of the Green breakaways kept them relatively quiet. The Play North Otago kicked off into a sf.ff wind and F. Butler found touch in midfield. With play in neutral territory the Yellows were making good use of their weight in the scrums, with Twaddle and Chappell hunting in the loose. D. Stewart had an early chance at a penalty about 13 yards Inside halfway. Using the line the visitors went first to the attack, but were sent back by a penalty. L. Grant had to leave the field injured and was replaced by G- Scott. North Otago returned to the attack after finding the line at the 25 from a penalty. Securing from the lineout, Robertson broke through and passed in to the forwards. The Yellows hooked from a loose melee under the posts, but the pass went astray and Fitzgerald dribbled to halfway, took possession from the full back, Parker, and sent to Garty, to Goodson, who found touch near the opposing 25. It w..s a great save. Fitzgerald shortly afterwards failed to land a penalty from a difficult i -sition. North Otago took play back to halfway with a forward hand to hand m. cement. Fitzgerald was again in the picture when he broke from a lineout on the half, took possession from Robertson and went through with the ball at toe. Hodge speculated desperately from the field for the deadball line and Parker forced. Fitzgerald was again beaten to the force after the Greens had taken a loose rush to the line. Then the North Otago backs, undeterred by a heavy shower, went away. Robertson, McKone and Reid handled and went close, but Goodson forced. After a period in mid-field, Goddard snapped up the ball from the feet of the Yellow forwards in South Canterbury territory, sent it high up and under and streaked after it. He kicked the ball from Parker, who failed to field cleanly and, recovering posses, on, ran round behind the posts. Lund, converted. South Canterbury 5. North Otago 0 The South Canterbury backs again went away in a passing rush, which was carried on by the forwards led by Garty and Campbell. Garty was forced off the ball in goal. Then the Green forwards staged a loose rush from a scrum on the 25 nd Butler touched down in the corner. Fitzgerald made a good attempt at co-'v-'-sion. South Canterbury 8, North Otgao 0 Shortly after resumption in the second spell, Robertson failed to take a pass from the scrum and Goodson, Kelly and Vucetich went through to the 25. The Yellow forwards returned to South Canterbury territory and kept up the pressure for a long period. They were sent back by a free kick, a force down and a breakaway by Lundy, Garty and Fitzgerald, but returned resolutely to the attack. The play swayed laterally in the 25 and it semed that the North Otago efforts must be rewarded. Then came the surprise. In the South Canterbury 25, Lundy snapped up the ball from the ground, darted through an opening and sent to Vucetich. to Stewart, who centred, recovered the ball and threw in to Kelly, who scored. It was a move worthy of a dry ground.

South Canterbury 11, North Otago 0. North Otago returned to the offensive and were rewarded when Blanchard crossed from a lineout in the corner.

South Canterbury 11, North Otago 3 South Canterbury took a turn on attack and a loose movement carried to the posts, but the Yellow forwards cleared to halfway. North Otago were given a penalty on the South Canterbury 25. Goddard fielded on the line, but Twaddle grabbed the ball out of his arms and forced. McKone converted, making the final score:— South Canterbury 11, North Otago 8. Mr D. McKay was referee.

Fourth Grade Match The only other competition match played on Saturday was the fourth grade fixture between Celtic and High School. Celtic won by 15 points to T. IN OTHER PLACES AUCKLAND Army was successful in the first section of the Auckland Rugby Union s first division championship, and will meet Manukau, the second section winner in the final to decide possession of the Gallaher Shield. Results were: Army 12, Takapuna 8; Manuk u 11, Ponsonby 11; Marist 12, Suburbs 0: Grammar 6, Otahnhu 3; Training College 13, Technical 8; Grafton 13, University 9. Soccer: Comrades 4, Air Force 2; Mount Albert 8, Onehunga 2; Eastein Suburbs 2, Metro College 2,; Ponsonby 6, Abels 5; North Shore 4, Thistle 2. League: North Shore 10, Richmond 3; Ponsonby 10, Mount Albert 6; Papakura 5, City 2; Newton 11, Marist 9. HAWKE'S BAY BEAT WELLINGTON (P.A.) NAPIER, August 16. In brilliant weather, 4000 spectators saw a great match between Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, the first spell producing particularly fine Rugby. Contrary to local expectations Hawke’s Bay more than held their own as the game progressed. Soon after the start an exciting race behind the line ended in Cooke scoring and Brady convertfor Hawke’s Bay. The following play was very fast and exciting, both sides having close calls. Intercepting a pass Blight added an unconverted try to the Hawke’s Bay total. Just before the interval Bowman (Wellington) scrambled over from a scrum. Dance converting. Hawke’s Bay attacked strongly at the opening of ,the second spell, Brownlie scoring an unconverted try, and a little later sent Reid over from a scrum, Brady goallng. For Wellington tries by Jackson and Pocknall, one converted by Dance, made the final score 16-13.