SPRINGBOKS BEAT SOUTHLAND

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22193, 9 September 1937, Page 15

SPRINGBOKS BEAT SOUTHLAND

Brilliant Passing by Visitors' Backs

ADVANTAGE IN WEIGHT AND SPEED

Home Team Gives Fine Exhibition Of Defensive Play

ITHE PRESS Special Service.] INVERCARGILL, September 8. A crowd estimated at more than 12,000 saw the Springboks defeat Southland, the champion Rugby province of New Zealand, by 30 points to 17 at Rugby Park. It was a game of brilliant football. The Springboks were favoured with ground conditions very much to their liking, and for practically the whole 80 minutes of play they revelled in wave after wave of chain passing rushes which, but for the good defensive play of the Southland backs, must have resulted in a colossal score. The Springbok back division was well nigh irresistible. Receiving a first-class service of the ball from the forwards, the backs swung into action time after time. Never before has a Southland crowd seen suoh a battery of rearguard movements, all more or less perfectly executed. It was modern Rugby played by a team of highly-skilled handlers at its best. Southland faced the Springboks as the champion province of New Zealand. Although decisively beaten, it was not disgraced. The big advantage in weight, size, and speed of the Springboks was a handicap which no team could concede. Forward the Springboks were more than a stone heavier a man than Southland, and in the backs they were yards faster all round. Not one of the Southland backs was as fast as the slowest Springbok.

For this reason the South Africans were able to score the majority of their seven tries on the flanks. More often than not they ran round the Southland wings. P. J. Lyster, a wing three-quarters who has not played in many games on the present tour, was the star wing of the game. He displayed plenty of pace, but appeared tp be very much faster than his markers by the use of an effective swerve. He was opposed to A. G. Sutherland, Southland's crack winger, who was expected to do more than hold his opponent The reverse of expectations happened. Lyster outplayed Sutherland, and In addition to scoring three tries played a big part in holding Sutherland in check. Notwithstanding the disadvantage under which Southland played, it made an excellent foil for the Springboks, and because of a stern resistance for the greater nart of the game, the spectators were able to see the visitors at their best. Southland's forwards played magnificently. Although beaten in the scrums they stuck to their task, and at times were able to place Southland ,on top. There were parts of the ' second half when Southland played all over the Springboks, and showed that once their forwards were subdued the backs were more or less easily bustled. Still, that achievement never produced a feeling of security about the following exchanges. The Springbok backs were so quick in their recoveries that no sooner had the Southland forwards established the team on attack than the Springboks countered with lightning passing, and so got themselves out of trouble, Attacks from Rucks There was not a phase of the play in which the South Africans did not excel. Even in loose. forward rushes they showed more ability than in past games, but good as was their play in this department, they were second to the Southland pack. In rucking, too, they could not outplay Southland. It was from the rucks that the Southland backn were able to launch their attacks. Had the Southland forwards not succeeded here it would have been a black day for Southland. Southland won at least one distinction in the game. It scored more points against the Springboks than any other team in New Zealand. Southland crossed the South African line three times, and A. W. Wesney scored the rest of the points (eight) with his kicking. In the first half Southland, playing with a strong wind at its back, and also the advantage of -the sun, although not getting a third of the ball from the scrums and lineouts, easily had the advantage territorially. Indeed, it would not be unfair to say that Southland was, on the trend of the play, entitled to the lead at the interval. The score then was 15 to 9 in favour of South Africa. Lyster and G. P. Lochner had scored three tries between them, and G. H. Brand had kicked three magnificent conversions into the wind. Southland had scored two penalty goals and a try scored by Sutherland. Two Easy Tries Two lapses on the left flank let the Springboks score two gift tries. This 10 points made all the: difference, yet it showed how well equipped were the three-quarters in the Springbok line to play opportunist Rugby. The anticipation shown by Lochner and Lyster in scoring the first tries was admirable. To many it must have been clear that the Springboks had shown sufficient of their brilliance in the Urst half to suggest that with the wind and sun behind them they would put up a big score, and the first 10 minutes of the second half quickly confirmed that impression. The backs simply raced about in delightful moves, and three tries were scored in this period. De Villiers was in wonderful form behind the scrum, and gave his backs every opportunity to get moving, it was fortunate for Southland that Brand was unable to repeat his first spell successes with conversions of tries, otherwise the score must have mounted alarmingly. AU After this orgy of try-getting the Springboks became careless, and aoutn- , land was able to reduce the lead with V j a brilliant try by P. Grace after J. Hamilton had bustled the Springbok backs into fumbling. From then on, with the scores at 24 to 14. Southland managed to hold the Africans, but could not prevent their flying backs from breaking through. Southland s reply to A. "D. I^awtona . second try was'the final Ihrill m an "~**og game. i I A Scoring Machine | } Springbok three-quarters linej fe near the perfect scoring mai/Vas it would be possible to get. Itochner displayed surprising pace 'dash, and even though inclined Iselfish, he made some beautiful fits for his wings. All seven tries Cored by this trio. J. White, at Jcentre, was an ideal link. He »ev«n. hesitated to get the flying threequarters moving at top. All of the toe handled well. Their passing at top •Dwd was almost amazing, and it was ' JJttprlsing that there were not more wan a few breakdowns in handling. 1 At backing up. too, this line appeared w have a wonderful understanding of i J*ch others' play. It is hard to believe Jhat the test three-quarters line is a Batter one. ; JKearer the scrum, D. F. van der «Mt ft* flfcfealt and a,..ds y_m&2*i

I half-back, played at the top of their i form. De Villiers was exceedingly smart, and gave good passes. All of the forwards showed up at one time or other. G. H. Brand showed himself to be a clever and resourceful full-back. To the whole Southland pack all praise is due for a magnificent display of bustling play. A. W. Wesney the centre-three-quarters was by virtue of his determined tackling and good kicking, the best of the Southland backs. Sutherland scored probably the best try of the game, but he lost some of his reputation for tackling by his failure to get Lyster. Too often Lyster or Lochner was allowed to trick him. His try was typical of several he has scored this season, and showed that as an attacking player he must be ranked with the best. The game will be remembered for the brilliance of the handling bv the Springboks, thft dash of the Southland forwards, and the wonderful recovery of the weather. The Play The teams were:— SPRINGBOKS Full-back—G. H. Brand. Three-quarters—A. D. Lawton, J. White, G. P. Lochner, P. Y. Lyster. Half-back—D. F. van der Vyver, P. de Villiers. ■ Forwards—"Fanle" Louw, J. W. Lotz, H. J. Martin, L. C. Strachan, P. J. Nel, M. A. van den Berg, G. L, van Reenan, B. du Toit. SOUTHLAND Full-back—G. Sylvester. Three-quarters—A. G. Sutherland, A. W. Wesney, E. Calvert. Five-eighths—G. P. Thomas, P. Grace. Half-back—J. Purdue. Front row—C. George, J. Mattlngly, V. L. George. Middle row—E. R. Chesterman, N. R. Irwin, R. H. Ward, J. Hamilton. Back row—W. L. Crawford. Southland began well with a strong westerly wind behind its back, and after five minutes play Wesney opened the scoring with a penalty goal from a sharp angle. Southland 3, South Africa 0. The Springbok forwards won three successive scrums, and treated the crowd to sparkling passing. White varied the attack by kicking through, and Lochner, outpacing the defence, dived on the ball in the corner for South Africa's first try. Brand kicked a magnificent goal into the wind. South Africa 5, Southland 3. The Springboks were winning every scrum, and the backs set up attack after attack, but the defence held until Lyster sped round Sutherland after Wesney had foiled Lochner's attempt to cut through. Brand again kicked a great goal. South Africa 10, Southland 3. South Africa immediately started another passing bout, van der Vyver swerving through, but Lochner ran too far, and Southland saved hastily. Calvert, the Southland wing, made a great break down the touchline, and inpassed to Grace, but the'five-eighths, with only Brand to pass, chose to attempt to pass in, and the South Africans cleared. Ward and Irwin raised Southland hopes when they took the ball over the Springbok line, and had Brand bustled; but an infringement nullified the movement. Southland continued the offensive, and after 25 minutes play Wesney kicked a second penalty goal from 50 yards out. South Africa 10, Southland 6. Southland now rose to great heights, and after a devastating forward rush, Southland won a scrum. Purdue gave the backs a run, and Wesney, though tackled, was able to pass to Sutherland who broke two tackles and scored beside the posts. Wesney missed a good chance to put Southland ahead. South Africa 10, Southland 9. The South Africans returned to the attack with short passing by the inwards, which Southland found difficult to check Three minutes from halftime South Africa, after a steady barrage of forward rushes, gave the backs two bright runs, from the second of vJhich Lochner scored after a scissors movement, in which Lyster co-oper-ated Brank kicked his third great goaL Half-time score: South Africa 15, Southland 9. The Springbok forwards began the second ffl *uU of vim, and a long S by Brand put them on the Southland line. De Villiers sent the backs into action, and Lyster, who was too fast for Sutherland, scored well out Brand had his first kicking failure of the day. South Africa 18, Southland 9. Southland now seemed to have wiltedl suddenly, and the Springboks Sred again within two minutes, Lochner cutting inside Sutherland and ££n£g across for an easy try. Brand missed again. South Africa 21, Southland 9. The South Africans, with If P°*nts to spare, loosed all their brilliance m a series of scintillating passing rushes, fn which the backing up was faultless. Th<? defence was equally worthy of aVmaule? until it crumbled before a tricky run by Lochner, who gave Lawton an opening down the touch-,

line. The speedy wing left his marker standing and scored near the posts. Brand's kick was charged down. South Africa 24, Southland 9. The Southland forwards rallied splendidly, meeting shock with shock, and tor five minutes had South A±rVca beaten. Van der Vyver missed a pass, and Hamilton, the fast Southland forward, was among the Springboks in a flash. He gathered the ball and threw it out to Grace, who dived across for a try, to the accompaniment of joyous cheering. Wesney's conversion gave Southland the distinction of the highest score against the Springboks on the present tour. South Africa 24, Southland 14. South Africa attacked resolutely, but was penalised twice, and Southland, whose forwards were now securing a good share of the ball, returned to halfway. Van Roenan broke away from a line-out and, though he just failed to score, South Africa gained another three points when Brand kicked a penalty goal. South Africa 27, Southland 14. The Springbok forwards temporarily mastered Southland, and Lochner was nearly across after a strong run. South Africa penned Southland in the twenty-five for 10 minutes, and Lawton scored a second try after a dazzling run, which completed a passing rush initiated by du Toit. South Africa .'!0, Southland 14. Southland refused to admit defeat, and in the last two minutes of the game Ward and Chesterman led a great forward rush, Chesterman throwing himself over the South African line for ja final try. Wesney's kick failed, and the game ended: South Africa .. .. 30 Southland ... ..17

CAPTAINS' COMMENTS ON GAME

tfIMM ASSOCIATION T1LI0BA1C.) INVERCARGILL, September 8. "It was a good hard game, and we enjoyed it. The ground played better than I expected," said the Springboks" captain, P. J. Nel. G. P. Thomas, captain of the Southland team, said he was pleased with the way the forwards played, and he thought that if they could have got a little more of the ball they might have put up a good showing. The speed of the Springboks' backs was a big factor. "They are a great team, said Thomas. The gate takings were appioximately £I6OO.

PROTEST AGAINST CHARGES

PRICE OF ADMISSION TO SPRINGBOKS' MATCHES

The Canterbury Rugby Sub-Unions' Committee at its last meeting decided to enter a protest against the charges for admission to games against the Springboks. The Banks Peninsula Sub-Union wrote protesting against the changing of the Country team after the practic* game against Sunnyside had been played. After a discussion, it was decided to write to the Canterbury Rugby Union asking that the Town v. Country match be played on a Saturday. There were present at the meeting: Messrs H. Saundercock (chairman), W. Mockett (Hurunui), W. H. Candy and T. Piki (North Canterbury), J. W. Calder and F. J. Miller (Ellesmere), R. T. Masefleld and V. Craw (Peninsula), and C. H. Perkins (secretary).

NORTH OTAGO BEATS WAIRARAPA

MARGIN OF THREE POINTS

(paisa ASSOCIATIOK TBLXOBAII.) MASTERTON, September 8. Erratic handling by the backs and the.failure of the forwards to maintain control of the ball after breaking clear from rucks contributed very largely to the defeat of the Wairarapa Rugby representatives by North Otago this afternoon. The visitors won a fast and fairly bright game by 19 points to 16. Their superiority was represented by their winning margin of three points. Wairarapa had all the better of the opening exchanges, but a series of dropped passes let North Otago through, and they received a gift try early when McKenzie scored after a Wairarapa player had failed to touch down. Easton converted. Wairarapa equalised when Percy started a movement from 60 yards out. Holland, McGregor, and Whiteman handled before the last-mentioned raced across, Walker converted. Then Holland side-stepped his v/py through, and handed to Percy who carried on to the line to send Joblin across. Walker again converted. Easton reduced the leeway when he kicked a good penalty, but Wairarapa consolidated the position when Walker goaled from a penalty. The game then underwent a sudden change, and tries by Souness and Carrington, the latter being converted by Easton, gave the visitors a lead otf 16 points to 13 at the interval. Wairarapa attacked on resumption, but they ran into resolute defence, which, together with their own errors of handling, prevented them from finishing off likely scoring movements. A period of North Otago supremacy ended in Carrodus scoring, and Easton missed. Walker failed with two handy penalties, but good play by Howard resulted in Whiteman scoring. Percy missed. The standard of play deteriorated in the closing stages, and the game ended without further score.

AUCKLAND BEATS MANAWATU

RAGGED PLAY BY BOTH SIDES

OSBSS ASSOCIATION TKLEGBAM.) , AUCKLAND, September 8. | The Auckland Rugby representatives [gained a narrow victory over thetour'ing Manawatu side by 18 points to 14. Conditions were almost ideal, but the game did not measure up to the best provincial standard, being a ragged exhibition, in the first spell especially. After the interval, however, play brightened considerably as a result of improved form by the Auckland team, both back and forward. There was little spectacular open back play, although the try with which Auckland secured the lead right on half-time was one of the best scored at Eden Park this season. Although the home side deserved its victory, the match was disappointing from Auckland's point of view. The forwards were again outplayed in practically all departments, except in the loose, and even here the fast Manawatu pack held a decided ad-

vantage in the first spell. In the eecond spell, the Auckland forwards reached brilliant heights at times in the loose, but this just served to emphasise the side's weakness. The visitors were far superior in line-outs and rucks, and in addition the Manawatu forwards secured a large share of the ball from scrums. Tries were scored for Auckland by Dick, Bond, and Bellls (2). Hare converted three. For Manawatu Fleming scored a try, which Betteridge converted. Betteridge also kicked three penalty goals.

HAWARDEN-WAIKARI CLUB An A and B team will be picked from the fol -iwlng players to represent the club at the seven-a-side tournament on Saturday, September 11: R. Dalzell, A. Forster, H. Saundercock, C. Saundercock, N. Bouterey, G. Morrison, F. Rutherford, G. Lockhead. L. Qulgley, J. Gardner, P. Talt, D. Power, F. Forrester, E. Millar, J. Blakely. W. Gale. Any player unable to attend please communicate with F. Shadbolt. —1

ASSOCIATION

ENGLISH CUP

SEMI-FINALS TO BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY

[By NESTOR.] The semi-finals of the English Cup competition will be contested on Saturday. Three senior teams, Technical, Western, and Thistle, and one reserve team, Linwood, will play to decide the finalists on Saturday week. Western is again favoured in drawing Linwood, a team which, of the clubs engaged, is likely to present the least opposition. Nevertheless, Linwood has some promising material and led by Thomas, Goddard, Swann, and Chappie, last year's champions will have to produce good form to win. Western has spoilt this season's chances of gaining the Hurley Shield by changing the side too much, so that it had little chance to work up a strong combination. The match that will hold the greatest interest will be played at English Park between Technical Old Boys (this season's Hurley Shield winners) and the strong Thistle team. Previously this season Technical has won two out of three games, the goal advantage being 8 goals for to 5 against. There is very little actually between the teams, and the result will depend upon the solidity of the Technical backs and the speed of the forwards, as against the consistent combination of the Thistle men. It is likely that the team that wins the game will win the English Cup final. The possible abandonment of the second Jones Cup game at Dunedin must be deplored, and can only be the result of the lack of enthusiasm of both the Canterbury and Otago associations. There must surely be something wrong when chosen men appointed to further the code in the South Island show such little interest in one of the most important matches of the season. Furthermore, the Canterbury Association has dropped one training day a week, in the face of a strong Auckland challenge for the Football Association Trophy. Perhaps the Canterbury team has shown first-class form somewhere, but not at English Park this season. % , The standard of play leaves much to be desired, and the representatives will have to do much better to hold the coveted trophy. The Technical College Old Boys' team, by defeating Nomads 8-2 last Saturday, have won the Hurley Shield after 10 years. Practically all the Technical team played in the reserve | grade last season, and their performance in carrying off the championship reflects much credit on the coaches and | on the players themselves. The winning team consists of L. McKenzie, A. Porter, T. Muir; Kichardson, T. Lennon, G. Browne; A. Almond, R. Smith, W. Mitchell, C. Adie, and E. Collins. Others who have assisted during the season are H. Sherwood, L. Fleete, and A. Scott. This year the St. Albans Club will hold its silver jubilee celebrations. .These will begin on Saturday at 1.30, when past and present teams will engage in a match. A social evening will be held in the Veterans' Hall in Oxford terace, commencing at 8 o'clock. On Thursday, September 15, the grand jubilee ball will take place at the Mayfair Hall, and on Sunday at church parade will be held in St. Matthew's Church, where the Rev. J. F. Feron. will give an address.