THE RUGBY TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1930, Page 3

THE RUGBY TOUR

DUNEDIN, June 14

Otago enjoys the dubious distinction of having suffered the severest drubbing to date at the hands of the British Rugby footballers. Before a crowd of about '23,000 at the Carisbrook Ground, the home team was beaten by 33 points to 9 in a game that was fast and spectacular, for all its one sidedness.

The cause of Otago's convincing defeat was not difficult of apprehension. The local forwards were rattled in the first few minutes, and from that time they were hopelessly out hissed. The result was that the Otago backs could do nothing, and since they, too, were more or less stampeded by the whirlwind tactics of the Britishers, there was a debit of 15 points against the Jiome team before the crowd realised that Oago was not likely to he in the hunt.

Later in the game, Otago’s defence improved, and the crowd responded appreciatively to some strikingly effective tackling when Reeve with his powerful and impressive lope set off for the corner with the ball under bis arm. and beat Stevenson with such ridiculous ease, he brought the crowd up to their toes, and at the same time- indicated the opposition that Otago had to lace. RcCve was brilliant all day, and he made many fine runs. His acceptances were perfect, and he ran as straight as an arrow. Spong was a heartbreak to both the 'forwards and backs of Otago. He jinked, wormed, side-stepped and dodged everywhere, heedless of high tackles that were directed at him, and, what was more to the point, there was always someone there to carry on when he was stopped. Murray was scarcely less impressive than Spong.

Aarvold proved himself a centre of centres.

Morley, on the English wing, was unlucky in not getting a great many chances, but he showed' a fine touch of speed and expert handling.

Bassett was unshakable at full bade, and be gave a great display of line kicking. Bowcott was less conspicuous than the other inside backs, but he was always there when wanted. The British forwards were a great pack compared with Otago. Beamish and Tvor-.Jones were always prominent. Black’s kicking was a feature of the game.

Of the Otago team, only Francis, the University half-hack, and Lindsay, the University full-back, were worthy of mention on their game to-day. Stevenson was not comfortable for long at a time, and he did little good at the full back position. He vacated it in favour of Lindsay at half-time. Lindsay’s tackling, both at wing and at full back, was a delight, but his goal kicking was far frtmi up to standard. Francis was always a worker, and he did as much for his backs as his forwards allowed. On the defence, he was exceptionally sound, and his linekicking proved invaluable. Fookes, at centre, had few chances, and both Wilson and Stevenson suffered from a similar lack of opportunities. Whenever Otago backs got away they gained little ground, and they were soon brought to a ;stop. Spong and Murray were deadly, and the forwards were great spoilers. The less said about Otago forwards the better. They were beaten in every way, and the pity was that they knew it too soon. The teams were a;s telegraphed. Following are the details of the play.

THE FIRST SPELL

Britain won the toss, and Bramlanovich kicked off for Otago against the sun. Beamish secured the ball, and ho imediately started a passing movement, which ended with the ball going out. Tbe visitors secured again, however, and the game had been only two minutes in. progress when Aarvold gave the ball to Reeve, who started on a run from half-way. He completely beat Stevenson, and he scored well out. Black converted with a great kick.

Britain 5; Otago 0

A few minutes later Aarvold was again prominent and when taken by Stevenson h e passed to Black, who transferred to Reeve in time. The fast winger than ran round and scored be-

THE BRITISH VISITORS DEFEAT OTAGO EASILY RAPID SCORING AT START DEMORALISES OTAGO PLAYERS ,'By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

Britain 10; Otago 0

Britain 15; Otago 0

Britain 15; Otago 3

Britain 15; Otago 6

Britain 20: Otago 0

SECOND SPELL

tween the posts. Black’s kick added two points.

The blues with handy line-kicking, then transferred play to the British 25, hut the visitors were breaking up the forward formation. Aarvold, Bowcott and Spong started another rush, which looker I dangerous, but a bad pass put Reeve oif. A few mi mites later, Bowcott dazzled the crowd with an exhibition of side-stepping and cutting-in, but crowding on the line cramped’ Reeve. From a scrum, Francks secured and he found the line with a kick that gained 50 yards for his side. Spong had the crowd on their toes with a brilliant run right across the field, and then forward, he finally sending Reeve on to meet Stevenson, whose crumpling tackle closed the effort. Wilson picked up from a scramble in the visitors’ half, ai d made a serviceable run until the ball was knocked out of his hand. A free ki k was awarded to Otago, but Stevenson’s kick went wide. Bassett secured the ball, finding the line. A nice back passing rush ended when Reeve was taken by Lindsay, but the winger was up again before the balloon Id be taken, and, with a clever kick, he centred. 'I he ball went past Stevenson and the black and white forwards then came up. The ball rebounded from the post, but Beamish got up to ground it beneath the posts. Black again converted.

The Otago backs were getting little of the ball, although Francis at halt was playing a- great game. The British rorwards, for the most part, were setting a span-king pace, and were maintaining it remarkably. Lying on the ball cost Britain another penalty ten yards from the line, and this time Lindsay made no mistake with the kick.

Finlayson and Ho re led a determined forward rush to British territory and then the Otago backs were seen in the best concerted move to date, Wilson being brought down on the sideline. Spong got offside, and Lindsay had anottier place kick at goal from wellout, but the ball went wide again. Britain did not force, kicking out. A few minutes later Bassett was caught on nis own line by muds ay, after he and Firaincis bad exchanged passes, and finally Francis touched down to score. Lindsay’s kick failed.

From a scrum, Spong sent Bowcott and Aarvold away for the corner, but Wilson tackled well and relieved an awkward position. It. was apparent that the visitors had Otago rattled eairly, but tbe home backs by now had begun tackling seriously, tipping up their opponents in a manner that delighted the crowd. Lindsay, in particular, seemed to have Reeve’s measure. From a scrum a few yards from toe line, Spong sent his backs away, but Scott took Morley right on the corner. From the line out the Otago forwards got away, but Bassett came right through them. A great kick by Lindsay from a penalty found the line well down. The visitors came away again, and the ball went from Spong to Bowcott, and to Aarvold, who was well taken by Stevenson. Morley came through, however, and passed to Ivor Jones, who scrambled over to score the final try of the .spell, which Black converted with a great kick.

In the second spell, Lindsay went to full back. Stevenson taking his place on the wing. Morley and Aarvold opened up the play, the latter running clean through the opposition and short punting over Lindsay’s head, blit he failed to get up to ground the ball, Otago forcing. Wilson gained 30 yards with a line kick, and then Francis sent his backs away, Fookes transferring to

Stevenson, who passed infield when

<;il _ flie British forwards then smothered the movement. Spong, Bowcolt and Aarvold then moved off, and !,ali went out to Reeve, who quickly <rot into his stride, hut he found bis match in Lindsay. Good lollowiug up, however, kept'the effort alive, and it was only alter a wild set amble t.-iaf dago forced. By dint of hard battling file Otago forwards fought their wa>,\ half way, where some hard plaj Vi] lowed. The visitors were getting practically all of the ball from the scrums, and botli Spong and Murray were practically deadly in breaking up Otago’s offensive moves. Collett am! Flore showed out with the ball at their toes, lint Ivor Jones picked up, ana started a counter movement. Francis foulied the line well down, ’but the ball came back hard off the boot of Bassett and the British forwards were again on top. A loose scramble between the opposing forwards gave Giles his chance. He broke through with tinball at bis feet. and. in spite of speculating too bard, be was fortunate enough to get up in time to score in a. good position. Stevenson’s kick was almost straight in front, hut the ball went wide.

Britain 20; Otago 9.

Francis and Lindsay were getting all the laurels from the crowd on the Otago side. The latter at full back was deadly. Spong cut through in brilliant fashion just in front of the Otago goal, and although pulled down, lie had penetrated far-enough to score. Black’s sure boot added the extra points.

Britain 25; Otago 9,

Otago were awarded- a ; free kick a minute later, ami greatly to the crowd's delight, Lindsay attempted the impossible limn nearly half way. The kick went wide. Th - > from a line out, Murray got

e ball at half way, and he completely outwitted the defence, reaching to the Otago Fne, with Ivor Jones in close attendance. A neat pass to the i then resulted in a try, which Black failed to convert.

Britain 28; Otago 9

Giles made a nice opening, which gave Fookes a chance to get, away, but Stevenson was pushed out ten yards Iran the line-. Another free kick to Otago -saw Lindsay miss with a badly directed kick. Lindsay returned a short punt by Murray to find the line 1 °0 yards away, and for some time the light blues held their-opponents round about midfield. Then from a scrum the : ball went from Murray to -Spong, to : Morle-y, and then to Reeve, who just about hurdled the.waiting Lindsay to ;score well out. Black’s kick drew an 1 admiring gasp from the crowd.

Britain 33; Otago 9

The Otago backs could not get moving, and "the home forwards were' outclassed. Collett and Dunn broke through, but the defence was too good. The visitors threw the ball’about disconcertingly, jiud the home men were unable to compete. Spong’s darting slithering figure was everywhere. He : nked his way through a seemingly impenetrable mass, and 10 yards from the line lie passed out, Black finally being grassed to allow Otago to foice. Stevenson was again pushed out after a strong run, and Bradanovich was pen alised for lying on the ball, but Lindsay returned the kick well up the line. Wilson and Collett got away, but a forward pass saw another scrum, from which Francis secured, passing to Bradanovich, who transferred to Mokes, who found the line near the corner. Shortly afterwards Francis sent his backs away, Bradanovich, 'V'kes and Wilson handling, the last named in passing to Fookes, whose nass to Bradanovich was intercepted bv tbe inevitable Spong. Bowcott Aarvold and Morley made a bold bid for tbe line, but Morley was well grassed by Wilson. With two minutes to go Giles had an unsuccessful attempt to pot, and a minute later the crowd was electrified by a brilliant dash down the line by. Morley. whose progress was stopped when Lindsay threw him out of the fielcf. Tbe final score was: — BRITAIN 33 OTAGO ••• 9

THE GATE RECEIPTS

DUNEDIN, June 15. The correct takings at Saturday’s by match amounted to £1929, this representing an attendance of about seventeen thousand people.