RUGBY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 47

RUGBY LEAGUE.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. DUNEDIN. A bright exposition of League football was provided by the four Senior Grade teams in the Ellis Cup competition on Saturday afternoon. City went on to the field with the intention of making the game fast and open, and Athletic responded. Many of the City incursions could be classed as brilliant movements and as the side came off victorious it still retains the top position. It was only the determined tackling of the Athletic men that kept City from compiling a larger score. In the match against- Pacific on the Oval, Christian Brothers had a runaway victory. The Green backs were seen in some bright movements.

POSITION OF TEAMS. The following table shows the position of the teams in the Ellis Cup competition: —

CITY v. ATHLETIC.

City exploited the passing game from the outset, but Athletic met their opponents with a determined defence. When play was in Athletic’s twenty-five Luskie seized an opening, but he hung on too long. Eckhoff put City in a good attacking position. Then a rush by Athletic ended in Stewart scoring. M'Donald failed with the kick. After this reverse the passing by the City backs improved. Luskie secured, and scored a try under the posts. Eckhoff put City in the lead by making no mistake with the kick. The game was now fast and spectacular, and in an exciting dash Boreham was grassed just short of the line. City kept up the pressure, and Boreham scored a fine try. Eckhoff failed with the kick. Just before half time M'Donald potted a splendid goal for Athletic. City 8 points. Athletic 5 points. Athletic had the upper hand for some minutes after the game was resumed, the backs showing improved form. Then City took a hand. A passing rush, in which M'Cabe was prominent, ended in Clydesdale scoring. Eckhoff was unsuc-

eessfulwjth the kick. A few minutes Athletic invaded City’s territory, and jvP kicked a penalty goal from a difficult angle. City attacked strongly, but the defence held. The City backs a g am came away, and M'Ghie passed oacK to Clydesdale, who went through an opening and scored behind the posts. Kckhoff again failed to convert. The final scores were: Setb ;• Mr F. Percy was referea CHRISTIAN BROTHERS v PACIFIC. .The play was fairly even after the kick-off, but the Green backs quickly settled down to their task. They were ; some bright movements, and lacifice hne wa 6 frequently threatened. 1 earce and M Kewen figured in a bright movement, and the latter scored wide out. I earce converted. A penalty to Christian Brothers in Pacific’s twentv-five was taken by Pearce, who sent the ball over the bar. A short punt by M’Kewen was fumbled by the Pacific full-back, and t earce, _ racing through at top speed, gathered in the ball and ran over unopposed. Pearce again converted. Pacific removed play to the Greenes twenty-five, where Davies kicked a penalty goal. A fine movement by the Pacific backs gained a lot of ground, but Curran failed to accept a pass when he had almost a clear run. After some hard play on Pacific's line, Kean scored at the corner. He was successful with the kick. The next try tor the Greens was scored by R. Hill. I earce added the extra points.' The half time scores were:. Christian Brothers 22 points, Pacific 2 points. ~Sb° rtl y after the resumption of play M Kewen eent Kean away, but he hung on too long, and a certain score was lost. Reid wae prominent in some fine play for Pacific, but he could not break through the defence. Pollock accepted a long pass trom E. O Connor, and ran through the opposition from halfway to score a splentr,y ’. wb ’ e ’ 1 Pearce converted. Pacific had their opponents on the defence for j. nie time, Pollock again raced through the opposition to score under the posts. The try was not converted. The Greens had Pacific on the defence when the last' whistle was sounded. The final scores were:

Christian Brothers . . 30 points. x acific 2 points. Mr A. Watt was referee. IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND. Devonport 12, Ponsonbv 8. City 10, Newton 3. Marist Old Boys 14, Ellerslie-Otahuhu 3. WELLINGTON. Newtown 23, City 3. Old Boys 3, Petone 3. CHRISTCHURCH. Addington 35, Sydenham 14. Hornby 11, Linwood 11.

Points. Cup P. W. L. D. F. A. pts. City . . . . .... 6 6 76 40 12 Christian Bros. 6 4 2 — 28 49 8 Pacific . • .... 6 1 5 — 42 95 2 Athletic .. .. 6 1 5 — 39 97 2