STUDENT PLAYERS WAGE BATTLE ON WET GROUND

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 173, 23 July 1931, Page 15

STUDENT PLAYERS WAGE BATTLE ON WET GROUND

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, July 22. The annual match between Otago University and Canterbury College was Played at Hogan Park this afternoon and resulted in a win for the visitors by 6 points to 3. The ground was wet and greasy and the ball soon became difficult to handle. A poor game was the result, Canterbury adapted themselves to the conditions better than did tlie home side and their handling was surer than that of Otago. Moreover, Canterbury gave Otago a lesson in backing-up. The Canterbury forwards were generally handy to come through or save when the passing of their backs had broken down and in the loose the College forwards held the advantage. The Otago inside backs were fiot impressive, their play lacking resource; and both Cook and M’Kenzie were caught far too often with the bail. Andrews, the Canterbury wing forward, was always quickly away from the scrums to break into the Otago passing Neither Smith nor Thomas saw much of the ball. Williams and Symes played very serviceable games for Canterbury and Pease was very solid in tight Canterbury had the advantage of a strong south-west wind and at o nee carried play to the Otago twenty-five The passing went out to who tried without success to pot. Williams was then stopped by Hush close to the line. The Canterbury backs were throwing the ball about but Otago were tackling well. A Try to Otago. Canterbury had been getting most of the ball from the scrums but the Otago hookers now began to got a share of it. Play went to the Canterbury line where, after the Otago backs had twice failed in passing movements, Thomas dribbled through and scored. Hush

missed with the goal kick. Otago Varsity 3, Canterbury College 0. Scrummaging followed in front of the Otago goal and the ball was kicked to Williams, the Can-

ter bury wing three-quarter, who raced along the left wing and threw in-field. The ball went out to him again nnd he went over near the corner. The kick at goal by Williams missed. Otago Varsity 3. Canterbury College 3. Gifford started a promising passing rush, the ball going out to Thomas. and play rested at the Canterbury twenty-five. Canterbury came back and a good chance Was lost, by a pass forward to Bean, who went over but teas called back. Tiie half-time whistle went with Canterbury on attack and the score; Canterbury College 3, Otago University 3. The Second Half. Bush stopped a rush started by Hllgendorf and then bad kicking put Canterbury on defence. M’Kenzlo being almost over. Williams, Pease and Gray gained ground in a good bit of passing and Canterbury were given a free kick at the centre line, play going to the Otago twenty-five. Weak collaring let Gray away from the scrum and Otago were defending. Watts fielded well in the face of an Otago forward rush and the Canterbury forwards continued to give their backs plenty of the ball. Andrews dribbled through to Gray and Canterbury broke away in a dangerous passing movement, Smith checking the attack. Hilgendorf went off and Rlordon came on Canterbury were keeping the opposition very busy and trying to open up the game A good punt by Moorhouse i went across to Bush, who dribbled out , with Hiordan behind him near his corner j flag. From the throw-in Pease scored. The kick at goal failed. Canterbury College 6, Otago Varsity 3. The Canterbury backs were now handling the ball well and very good collaring wq.s keeping them out. The final whistle went with Otago on defence and the score:— CANTERBURY COLLEGE 6 OTAGO UNIVERSITY 3 Mr N. Reardon was referee.