RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24906, 20 June 1946, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

UNIVERSITY MATCH

CANTERBURY BEATEN BY OTAGO Weight and speed in the forwards carried the day for Otago University in the annual Rugby match against Canterbury University College, played at Rugby Park yesterday. Although the Otago backs were superior to their opponents, it was the forwards who obtained a major share of the ball, persistently worried the Canterbury backs, and gained ground with fine foot and passing rushes. It was expected that the game would be fast and spectacular, and it was so, up to a point. Both sets of backs obtained as much bail as they might normally expect in two or three club games, but nearly every passing rush went almost straight across the field. Otago / fielded a particularly fast set of backs, and it was to these players that the spectators, looked for most of the fireworks. However, the Canterbury j backs stood well up on to them', tackled resolutely, until very late in the game, and effectively bottled up the centre three-quarter, R. Elvidge. Playing conditions were almost perfect, and there was a large crowd at the game. Perhaps the most unusual feature of the match was the large number of penalties awarded—3o—and even more remarkable the fact that Canterbury were given 80 per cent, of them. In the first half the Otago forwards frequently infringed in the scrums, and there were numerous penalties for minor breaches of the obstruction rule. In the second spell nearly all the free kicks Canterbury obtained were given because the Otago hooker persisted in lifting his foot as the ball came in, and deflecting it into his own scrum before the ball had touched the ground. The marked territorial advantage enjoyed by Otago was emphasised by the fact that J. W Kelly, Canterbury’s goal kicker, was able to take only four or five shots at goal from the 24 penalties given his side. The game was played at a rousing pace throughout, and it was evident soon after the start that the lighter Canterbury pack would have a difficult task in holding the Otago forwards, all of whom showed speed, resource, and handled extremely

Although Canterbury obtained a fair share of the ball from the line-outs and scrums, the Otago forwards, working with fine cohesion, repeatedly shot the bail back frcm the rucks, and it was in this department of forward play that Canterbury was quite outclassed. If a loose rush was checked, it was no uncommon sight to see the whole Otago pack behind a leader within a second or two. and the ball to come back quickly and Cleanly a moment or two later. All eight of the Otago forwards were good, but in the line-outs W. Fraser was quite outstanding. In K. O’Connor the side had a forward of exceptional all-round ability, and H F. Drake was another who played a particularly intelligent game. -M. Foreman, who scored two fine tries, also impressed as a forward of very real ability. The half-back, P. A. Ongley, a solidlybuilt player, sent out consistently good passes, and made some good runs from the base of the scrum. Both the fiveeighths. T. Cannon and C. Geary, showed speed, and handled surely, and Elvidge, although carefully watched, was able to give a few indications of his brilliance. The wing-three-quarters. G. Moore and G. Schofield (who replaced I. J. Botting when the latter was injured early in the game), were determined runners. At fullback. T Kawe had little to do. but did it well.

The Canterbury forwards lacked the team work of their opponents, but individually most of them performed with real credit. A. D. McKenzie gave the pack a good lead, particularly in the second spell, and R. Harris and R. Bond were others who worked well Although lacking in weight. E. I. Ellis was one of the hardest workers on the field. R.Monigatti. at half-back, played a fine defensive , game, and got the backs away whenever the opportunity arose L. Cowan, until he was injured and left the field, showed a speed off the mark more comparable with that of the Otago players. and A D Hunter, the other fiveeighths several times saved his side by his anticipation and quickness to seize an opening J Hall, at centre, had few chances of distinguishing* himself, and both the wings, G. A. Drummond and J. W Kelly, made the most of their limited opportunities. Kelly made a number of good runs down the side-line, but was more conspicuous for his grand defence and kicking. C. T. Wilson, at full-back, was not at his best. . He did not take the ball as well as he usually does, and his tackling sometimes left much to be desired. The Play The only score in the first spell was a try for Otago by Geary, who ran down the right wing, passed to Schofield, and took a return pass to score near the corner. Otago started with rare dash in the second spell. After a fine forward rush Foreman scored. Shortly afterwards. Kelly kicked a fine penalty for Canterbury but Otago went further ahead when Elvidge broke through from his own side -f half-way and sent on to Foreman, who scored a spectacular try Drake converted to make the score: Otago 11. Canterbury 3. Otrgo continued to launch frequent attacks, and aft°r a forward rush had been checked, the ball came back quickly, Ongley going on the, blind side to score a good try Another break by Ongley from well on his own side of half-way let Elvidge away. The Otago captain scored after a determined swerving run. Otago’s last points came from a try by Moore, who scored after Ongley ran on the blind side from a scrum. Otago won by 29 points (a goal from a try and five tries) to 3 (a penalty goal) x The referee was Mr C. A. Styles. j