LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 852, 28 August 1933, Page 11

LEAGUE.

Otago Show Poor Form in Second Spell. OPPORTUNITIES MISSED. The second interprovincial Rugby League match between Otago and Canterbury was marked by a striking change of form on both sides, with the Canterbury team in poor form in the first spell. Otago had countless Opportunities to score, but they failed to cross the home team’s goal-line. Canterbury had many anxious moments, but the visitors lacked the necessary thrust. Early j n the second half Canterbury snowed much improved form and during the last twenty minutes they almost completely dominated the play. The forweresein7^1 wit b vim and the backs men ts. Otago’s form, particularly in the second spell, must have greatly disappointed their supporters. The forwards, who put Snap into their work in the early stages of the game, faded awa_y badly and the backs both individually and as a combination were never dangerous in the second spell. Numerous Mistakes. The game, although fairly fast, did hot produce football of a good standard, as both sides made numerous mistakes. able terbUry * B Win by 19 to 4 was creditM. Standeven, the Canterbury fullback, plaj'ed quite up to representative standard. His positional play was good and he fielded and defended safely. C, -Brimble, the speedy Canterbury three-quarter, showed indifferent form on the wing in the first spell, but in the remaining half he was shifted to centre, a position in which be proved much more useful to the side. Brimble used his speed to good advantage, but his passing at times was wild. W. Ralamountain was solid, although not brilliant. His handling was not always sure. C. Merson made many good openings and in the second half combined well with J. Amos. Merson's defensive work was excellent. L. Forbes fully justified his inclusion in the team as half-back. He got the ball away from the scrum smartly and was always well up with the play. His anticipation of the play saved the side on numerous occasions. Good Porward. N, Waghorn was the best forward on the ground. In the tight and in the loose he worked like a Trojan and was rewarded with two good tries. R. Ward also played a sterling game, and A. Stuart was prominent for fine work in the loose. L. Foote, the Otago centre, showed fine form, but he was not well supported. Foote proved himself to be a clever player on attack, while on defensive he was sound. N. Barbara, on the wing, did not get many opportunities, but when the play did come his way he performed with credit. He is a very determined runner., Among the forwards W: Batholomew and T. O'Connor were great workers. COAST’S DEFEAT. High Scoring Match at Auckland. (Special to tile " Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 27. What might have been—this was the feeling at Carlaw Park on -Saturday afternoon, when the Auckland representative League team defeated West Coast, holders of the Northern Union Challenge Cup, by a margin of six points (28-22) in a high scoring game. It was a dazzling exhibition and play swung from end to end of the ground with delightful uncertainty. Auckland did not win easily. The West Coast forwards, a ydung and virile pack, shaded the. northern six all the way. As a set-off the Auckland hacks were infinitely superior to the Visiting back line and occasionally they chimed into delightful combination and scoring sequence. It was a bright, open game all the way, with kaleidoscopic and changeful phases. With an Appleby or a Dufty in their team, West Coast might have won. Many golden points went begging when the cross-bar and goal-posts were in range.

West Coast Games. (Special to the “Star.”) GREYMOUTH, August 27. To-day’s League matches resulted as follows: Senior (Bradshaw Cup)—Runanga 8, Blackball 8 (for Runanga, Maddison and Tnllentvre scored tries, Tallentyre converting one; Kells and Clarke scored for Blackball); Marist 32, Pirates 3 (Pacey (3), Walsh (2), Sweetman, Fleming and Burger scored tries for Marist, Williams converting four: • Pirates* score consisted of an obstruction try). Juniors—Pirates 20, Marist 11. Fourth Grade—Pirates 6, Marist 6. Australian Team Wins. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 26. The Australian League team defeated St Helens Rees by 13 points to 9 after Rees had led 6-3 at half-time.