GREAT RUGBY GAME

Evening Star, Issue 19661, 14 September 1927, Page 13

GREAT RUGBY GAME

OTAGO-AIiCKLAND MATCH [Si-kcul xo ms ‘ Stae.’] , % AUCKLAND. September 13. ' The 1 IJ ora Id. 1 commenting on Satin - day’s great ' Rugby game, says: •• Otago’s first try was the best of the inn toll. Lindsay got possession of the ball in midfield and raced up towaid Paewai, and Webb ranged up alongside Lindsay in readiness to receive a pass. A couple .of Aucklanders rushed lo Paewai's assistance, with all eyes on Webb. Lindsay, - however, heard a call from infield, and quick as a flash he whipped the ball inside to Peterson, who look the pass, and went round unopposed between the poets. 1 1 was a movement worth all the applause widen greeted it. Otago’s other two tries were the result of splendid individual eiforts on the part of its threequarters, Stewart and Webb. Stewart lielded the ball about the halfway line and shook himsglf free of Hook’s tackle. There was then only Paewai between lbs Otago man and the line. Stewart put on speed and left the Auckland full-back standing with a beautiful swerve, and he dashed over the line with one of the defending baeks holding on to him. This effort showed what a dangerous .scoring man Stewart really is. The other solo try was .scored in the second spell. Webb kicked the hall along the ground from tho vicinity of his own twenty-five. He raced after it, and got there just ahead of Paewai, past whom ho kicked tho ball. Here Meyer joined in the chase with Webb, who. however, kicked the ball on over the lino, and then outpaced Meyer to it. Webb is clever with his feet, and, like Stewart, is gifted with plenly of speed, Auckland’s first try was its best, a.s tho ball passed t lrvuigh Ihe hands of tho hacks without a. mistake from MvManns to Hook. It was Porridge who really paved tho way for tho try, as when Lucas got the hall ho had only to run up to the full-back and pass it to Hook, who bad a clear run in. The other two tries scored by Auckland wore the result of mistakes by its opponents. The second try was made easy by Peterson, who ran hack to ward his own goal with the ball instead of going down with it. When lie gob across the line Keene took the hall nut of his arms and fell over with it. Successive speculators by Webb and Hnn/.lowood made Cathcart a present of the third try. ft was miserably weak defensive tactics.

“ When the score was against them tho Otago forwartki never lot up lor a moment. Their loose rushes gave the Auckland .supporters and team several anxious moments. The footwork at times, attained brilliancy, particularly that of Himlcnacli, who ranks as one of tho finest loose forwards seen in Auckland for years. Playing the ideal wet weather game, the Otago forwards kept the ball at their feet, and exercised wonderful control over it. Once they got going properly they 7 took a lot of stopping, and they had the home team thinking hard in tho last quarter of an hour. Auckland’s supporters were not. sorry to hear the. bell ring. The Otago pack held its own well in the scrums and line-outs, but it was in the loose that it excelled, ilindenaeh, Sonntag, ami Marslin were very much in the picture, but this trio had able support from the others in developing their fan-like rushes. “The Otago hacks wore all products of the University with tho solo exception of Hoazlewood. the full-back. Jbo result was a perfect understanding between them, although the opportunities for attacking movements on such a day were few and far between. A good deal had previously been heard ol Holden’s a bilily as a half-back, and he lived right up to his reputation. Jt was a treat to see him go down to forward rushes. Lindsay is another great rush-stopper, and he did great work in this rcsncct throughout Saturday’s game, lie is powerfully built and a great kick. The wiug-threeuuurters were both very impressive, though Webb marred his display by the speculator near tho end of tho game.”