RELENTLESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 137, 13 June 1938, Page 15

RELENTLESS.

SOUTH ATTACK. COMMENT ON PLAYERS. - Masters and camerom fail. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON", Saturday. Taking a. bare five minutes to settle down in earnest, tlie South Island from then on dominated nearly all phases of the play in the annual Rugby match against the North Island and swept on, relentlessly to an unexpected victory by 23 points to 3. South's points' came from six tries, one converted, and one penalty, and North's from a penalty. It was one of those rare occasions on. which the North failed to cross their rivals' line. In fact, they were within % striking distance of scoring only three or four times all through. •' ' . ' Perfect scrum work, heeling with precision, snappy half-back play, sharp penetration bv a top-notch five-eighths, and better handling all round were factors in South's superiority. To that can be added greater vim, fitness and backing up. The backing up especially deserves a high-tribute. . Frequently when the line of South's backs broke away two, three or more forwards were to be seen hustling along with them or only a few yards in the rear. Against these, sustained tactics North had very little chance to. cause South concern. Their scrum was ragged j by comparison* -real-loose rushes:■ ..-were--

missing and too many of the backs failed to field the heavy ball. They were mostly, out of their element in tlie mud. Even when "fcorth managed to hook the,ball, their half-back, Russell, mostly failed to send it 011 smartly, and as a result Crossman, Cameron and (Sullivan 1 had little opportunity to snap into action. Yet Russell played a plucky! game. Probably a knock affected him, and he retired at half-time. Crossman I then went behind the scrum and Barton, of Wanganui, took up. the centre-three-quarter position. The line now had fewer gaps in it, but speedy movement .was out of the question in the second spell. Forwards Shine. Where the North forwards did thelT most effective work was in the lineouts. ' Here. Wynyard, Lockington and McKenzie stood up to things, manfully, l and worked all they knew to drive a wedgointo South's line. Dalton was prominent at all stages of the game, and Bowman and Carson gave him full support. Carson, in fact, played a splendid game. Pearce was not up in the way as much as he should, have been in the first spell, but he displayed more energy in the second. South's best forward was Quaid, but the whole pack were always 011 the ball. .Their compact scrum work was one of the secrets of their, victory. Saxton, the half, Berghen _ and. Taylor were a wonderful trio for the Southerners. Considering tho muddy conditions, they played above themselves. Berghen can be put down as the "find" of the match. Sullivan, was easily North's best back. .Masters was not up to Taylor's standard. All-; four wing-three-quarters had very ; little opportunity. Mitchell was probably the best of the auartet: Tries for the South" Island were scored by Morrison (2), Quaid (2), Roberts and Mitchell: Wesney kicked a penalty goal and "converted a try. - Masters scored the North Island's three points by landing a penalty* sfaot-fronr an easy--position.- ■"