SENIORS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 25, 3 September 1920, Page 9

SENIORS.

SOUTHLAND (9) v. OTAGO (9). (Maroon) (Blue). The team s were : — Otago : Backs — Niven, Robertson . Irvine tcaptain), Cunnirgham, McGratb, Ball and G-i'es. ; forwards: Allen, Kindley, Murray, Ashby, Bums, MeClusky, llore, Churchill Southland : Backs — Broad, "VVilson, Calder, Kennedy, Thomas, Padget, Melvin ; forwards: McLeod, Hamil, Hodge, Lee, McPherson, O'Neil, Graham, McNamara. Southland kicked off and got into passing, their position being. better than that of the junior side in the backs; but the full was at least 20 yards too far away fiom his centre, the fault having much to do with many of Otago's gains,- their very cleverly tvained team taking full advantage of the big gap, and the Southland goal-keeper always coming up for the hop. Bnt for this the lad was more than good. Otago began to throw the ball about, and the work on each side was smart, the visiting first-five, Ball, showing sound defence. The Blues appeared to be over-coached, their passing not being so frequent as their line work, the tendency to find the line making the play uninteresting. The visitors showed better football, and had most of the first spell advantage, though the Southiard forwards were better in loose rushes, Hamil, leading nearly all ihe attacks. Otago were often in the home 25 and forced Southland. A periocT oi' panic came to the Maroons, and a defence pass was mulled, Otago's first-five seeur-ing and runmng around, Churchill ending the movement with a score. Otago 3. Two Maroons had failed to tackle. From the 25 the visitors set their backs going, and ihe second-five nearly got over, the fibme backs showing no inclination to defond. Again Otago passed well, and the centre' ran across to his wing, who comirg at top scored wide and untouclied. Otago 6. Southland kicked the 25 feebly, and Blu.s attackcd demoralised backs, the Maroon forward slightly checking. Otago's. half, Giles, picked up in a scramble and cleverly in-kicked, the Blue rush ending. m a score by Cunningham. Otago 9, Southland nil. Half-time came. The Southland coaclies hadn't noticed their • full', s position as he was farther from the play than ever. Otago got mto back attack, but failed to continue, and the Southland forwards took charge, Hamil leading. Ihe visitors did not do ground work, and three passing rushes by Maroons looked fair, their forwards continuing by walking over Otago, who forced. The home lads scrummed them back and in the 25 secured well and smartly -from a set-scrum, the pass going from half i:> fives, a jink allowing Kennedy to score near th,e corner. Ota-go 9, Southland 0.

Exchange of kicks was to Otago's advantage, but a long, determined Maroon rush came to Otago's 25, where a mull lost a score. However, the forwards continued to beat Otago, and an offside allowed Calder to kick a good goal. Otago 9, Southland 6. Right away, Southland passed and kicked to nearly 30 yards from Otago's line, where' the excellent pacinng, heeling, and kicking of the visitors cleared them to the press table, Wilson secured an unlined punt, and the forwards carried cn the good work, dominating the game for a time. A heel saw Melvin feeding on the short side, Wilson cannoning the corner flag with his head and receiving fatherly treatment from Mr Stalker. The resumption of play put Southland into attack, the ball moving across Otago's goal, Hodges securing and crossing very-wide. Calder hit the post in a difficult kick. Ota-go 9, Southland 9. Attack continued, anl Otago wm'c lucky to force. T'hen the visitors rallied, and from three lines kicked into Southland 25. There the play was not varied, the backs lacking initiative and the half refusing to open the game, evidently through fear of the deadly Maroon forward rushes. Otago's full was excellent in-take and in securing full line value for. his kick. Time came with Southland in Otago's 25, and the score Otago 9 (three tries), Southland 9 (two tries, one penalty goal). Mr Stalker was most judicious in keeping the game fast. The draw is all the more meritorious as Otago have a stone heavier limit in their senior competition, and some of the Southland lads have not been availahle for the inter-scBool matches here, An endeavour should be mad© to even the handicap.