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Chronicle (Levin), 19 August 1948, Page 5

DUNEDIN, August 18. Ou a raiuswept heavy ground with a greasy ball, Qtago played fine-weather football to outclass Cauterbury in the seeond Ranfurly Shield challenge match of the season, wiuning by 31 points to ni'l. . Iu the two shield matehes this. year, Otago has seored 56 points without their opponents seoring a single point. Once again the way to victory was paved by the vigorous forwards who completely dominated play and rueked the Canterbury pack i-nto the ground. The bae.ks handled with preeision and frequenlly carved great holes iu the Ganterbury defence. Without doubt the best forward on the ground was K. J. O'Connor who played au outstanding game in both the tight and loose. It was easily the best performanee this player has giveu this season. In spite of the abseuee of three regular forwards in Dalton, Skinner and Johnstone, the Otago pack was far too strong for Canterbury, with Willocks, McNab and Harvey always in Ihe thiek of things. The ehalleugers had only three good rueking forwards in Herman, Bond and Chandler, the remainder plaving too loose and paeking too high. All the Qtago backs played well'with McNab, Kearney and Elvidge providing the thrust from which the tries resulted. The Cauterbury backs only oeeasionally received the bafi but eveu when they did, they looked inuocuous. . 'At half time Otago led by 12 — 0 and in the sec'ond half took almost eomplete command, Tries werq scored by .Keni'neYy p~d> ; Ha|g, -. jfilvidge^ 'Pmtting'a'pa Wpqdhouse. •• Kearney ,qon-)' •■v^rted?phdMnd' Hh-ig etmverted Spe|aud' Ikicked 'tVfe penal-ti.es: ' • ; t ' ■ , " .