SPRINGBOKS BEAT BAY OF PLENTY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 49, Issue 7781, 25 August 1921, Page 3

SPRINGBOKS BEAT BAY OF PLENTY

vjSE FOOTBALL BY BAY forwards.

The long expected football event, so far as the Bay of Plenty is concerned, took place at Rotorua yesterday afternoon wlun the South Africans met and defeated the Bay of Plenty representatives, but not by such a substantial majority as was generally supposed would lx* t l,e case. Very few expected that the Bay could win, and few expected them to put up such a creditable performance as they did against their doughty opponents. Two factors contributed to keeping the Springbok’s score down-the fine performance nf theßay forwards and the solid defence of the backs. Bo roll fully justified his inclusion in the Bay team. He was responsible for all the points, and narrowly missed on three other occasions. His try was The result of a niqe attack initiated by lies. The superior weight of the Springbok forwards, in the second spell told its tale. Again and again they simply walked over the Michau promptly sent on to his speedy backs, and that they did not score more often was entirely due to the splendid defence of the Bay backs. There were many breaches of the rules, particularly by the Springboks and they were fortunate in not having a greater score registered against them as a result. The game was controlled by Mr. Mull, of Palmerston North, who „ave his decisions promptly and impartially. The game was witnessed by about 5000 people. The teams as (hey took the field were: - South Africa (dark green).-Full-back, J. D. De Villiers; threequarters, H. Morkel, W. Seudiu, J, Weepener; five-eighth, A. Van Heerdeu; halfs, C. du P. Meyers, J. Michau; forwards, T. Kruger, N. Du Pbssis, Roy Morkel, H. Scholtz, J. Olivier, F. Hellish, M. Ellis, J. W, Van Rooyen. Bay of Plenty (blue and gold). ‘Full-back, Stewart; three-quarters, Mexted, lies, Borell; five-eighths, Wilson (Capt.), Mehrtens; half, Montgomery; rover, Hutchings; forward?, Kororiko. Mitai, Oncone, Chippies, Gaclick, Baltic, Tangitu. The bay won the toss and De Villiers kicked oft' with the sun in his eyes,, but a slight diagonal wind in his favour. The ball went out on

the full and a scrum was ordered

half-way. South Africa secured and '' Sendin found the line at the 25. A forward rush by the Bay found the Springboks line in danger, but a free for handling in the scrum relieved the pressure. The kick went to half way, but Stewart fielded nicely and returned to the 25. A South African knock-on, which passed unnoticed, found the ball in ' Montgomery’s hands. He gave a nicely timed pass to Borell who was thrown out when within striking distance. From the throw in Van Rooyen got away but was well grassed by Wilson. Another determined rush by the Bay forwards carried -play to the 25, but a free , to South Africa for off-side play enabled De Villiers to find the line at the Bay 25. But the Bay fprwards, who were playing like Trojans, carried the play back again. Montgomery secured the ball in the open, and sent it on to Wilson who found the line in a good position. From the throw in loose play followed, and Van Rooyen got off-side on the 25 line. Borell placed a lovely goal, and the crowd wore well pleased. Prom the kick out the Bay forwards were at it again, Tangitu standing out prominently. ■"From a scrum'Michau sent the ball to Meyer, to Sendin to Van Heerden, who was getting well under way when Borell tackled in splendid style,. Van Heerden injured his knee and took some time to recover. Another passing rush by tjhe Springbok backs was spoilt when looking dangerous by Van Heerden knocking on, and almott immediately a renewed attack was Upset by Hutchings cutting in prettily. ,He took play to the 25, where Michau found the line. A hard tussle near the line was relieved by a long kick by De Villiers, but Stewart returned and a freekick to the Bay on the 25 line gave Borell another chance to goal, which he narrowly missed. The Bay then took a turn at passing, but Mellish intercepted, and De Villiers cleared with another of his long kicks, and Stewart, pressed, had to find the line. A. scrum followed the throw in, and South Africa were penalised for handling in the scrum. Borell had a shot at goal well across on the half-way line, but the ball fell short. A passing rush by the Springboks went across to li. Morkel' on the whig, who was well taken by Ties, who secured the ball, but was penalised for playing ii off the ground. De Villiers lauded a nice goal - three all. From the kick off an exchange of kicks found the ball out at the Bav 25. Off-side play by the greens brought relief and Mexted kicked well down. Sendin fumbled and a green forward hung on too long and was penalised. Borell placed an ease goal. Bay G, Springboks 3. Give and lake play followed, Kov Morkel marked, and De Villiers dropped a nice goal b all. Over anxious to get the ball from the scrum the greens were again penalised and Borell had a , shot from just inside half-way, but the ball hit a green forward. ’ Give and take plav followed. Kruger potted at goal and narrowly miss- , cd, and the Bav forced. The kick out was followed immediately by a nice passing rush bv tlu- greens.

Hooycn >e<nired and sent on to Hoy Morke!, to Sondin and Vf n ' Hfrrdein Thi- iiiu'/t im'iit was tno quick t«. i-n.diii Siou'aii to c“i - across and Van 11.-ukn ran round and scored behind the posts, D*'

Villiers adding the major points Springboks 11, Bay 6. The Bay forwards then had another turn at attacking, well led by Cripples, Tangitu and Oneone. Borell had another shot from a tree kick, but failed to goal, and half time sounded.

On resuming the Bay had the benefit of a slightly stronger wind. The greens commenced attacking immediately. The opening stage gave the spectators some excitement. A long kick had the green line in danger and Wilson and De Villiers had a great race for the ball, the former narrowly missing a try, the ball going out beyond the dead ball line. The green forwards worked the ball down, but the Bay men were playing a sterling game and cleared their line. From a scrum, however, Michau secured, whipped the ball to Van Rooyen, who sent it on to Henry Morkel, who fell over and scored as Stewart collared him. De Villiers kick fell short. Springboks 14, Bay 6. .From the kick out an exchange of kicks resulted in the Bay forcing. A free to greens for obstruction had the Bay again busy defending. Van Heerden got away, but was neatly taken by Mexted. He passed to Seudin, who knocked on and lost a certain try. The Bay then took a turn at attacking, and Mehrtens by fast following up made the hopes of Bay supporters run high. He ricked his knee, however, and fell. Tight play at half way was broken up by a free kick against the greens. Then came a sparkling piece of passing among the green backs, 'who were taking the Ball quick and clean. They carried play to the Bay 25, where Borell secured, and got in a long kick. Meyer fumbled but recovered and returned to half way. From the throw in, Kruger secured, and the ball went across to Sendin and Henry' Morkel, and back again to Sendin who scored a nice try. De Villiers kick went wide South Africa 17, Bay 6. Time was drawing near, and the chances of the Bay crossing their opponents line seemed small. On the line out play the greens were getting decidedly the best of it principally through leaving Roy Morkel (6ft 3in,, 17st. 21b) unmarked. Following a throw in the greens were penalised and Borell took a splendid kick from half way, but just failed to find the bar. Give and take play gave Montgomery a chance. He sent the ball across to lies who openeo up splendidly, and the ball came across to Borell, who scored near the corner. It was the best piece of passing that the Bay had indulged in, and Borell put the finishing touch to it in splendid style. His kick at goal failed —South Africa 17, Bay 9. From the kick off greens pressed, but Montgomery snapped a good mark which brought relief, and an exchange of kicks left the ball in neutral” ground when time was called. The superior weight of the Springbok forwards told throughout. They did not hook from the scrum biit using their weight walked over the ball repeatedly, and their backs were quickly m motion. The weight and speed were irresistible and the Bay team put up a really good performance. Few opportunities came Montgomery to get his backs going, but ho opened up. the game on every’ available opportunity. Stewart was safe at full, and Mexted, He* and Borell made a good threequarter line. Tlu forward line would base been hard to improve upon, and Hutchings as rover played one of his best games. On their performance, one feels very doubtful whether tin Springboks will win anv of the tests.