SOUTH AFRICA'S WIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 214, 8 September 1921, Page 8

SOUTH AFRICA'S WIN.

I NINE POINTS TO EIGHT. AX EXCITING FINISH. (Bj Telegra oh—Press Association.! NAPIER, Wednesday. The match between the Springbok and the Nerw Zealand natives was piayei this afternoon in bhe presence of abou GOOO spectators, and resulted, after i hard game, in a win for the visitors, 9 points to S. In the lirst spell Zeller ecrored from i passing rush, in which the ball went t< Townsend from the line-out, and vt* handled by all the backs, De Villien failed with the kk-k. Tlie Maoris a little later carried plaj to the visitore' quarter, and Tapsel floated from a free kick. Play wae fairly even, but the fiouti Africans' line-out play to their backi was superior, ami they were many timei set in motion. The Maoris tackled well however, and kept them out, the spel ending with the score unaltered. In the second s<pell, with the 'wine behind them, it was expected the Soutl Africans would make a runaway win o the game, but the nativee played witl more vim, and fully held their own Town-send, for the visitors, played a fine half-back game. He repeatedly set hi; backs in motion. From a neat move ment the ball -went from the line-out and was 'handled by all the backs, ant finally van Hccrden crossed. Dc Villier: again missed the kick at goal. Later, Blake apparently marked neai the visitors' goal, but it was not allowed, and Townsend broke away. H.< raced down the field, supported bj Zeller. On reaeliing the full-back lie transferred to Zeller, and the lattoi raced fo r the line. He was overhauled a few yards away Blake, but the bal rolled infield, and Townsend picked uf and dived over, though ap'parentlj pushed into touch before crossing. The kick failed. The Jlaoris rallied strongly and set up a hot attack close to tho Springboks goal. Garliek dashed over, and Turcra gwalod. making the scores 8 to 9. There was much excitement in the closing E-tages, as play fluctuated from one end of the ground to the other. The South Africans were rather better in the closing stages, and time wae called wifch the position unaltered. The Maoris put up a very creditable showing, their play indicating that with a game or two together they would lw a hard side to beat. The backs fielded and kicked well, but lacked effective combination in attack.