RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23411, 19 August 1941, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TIMARU BEATS SOUTHLAND

HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETE IN ANNUAL MATCH

(F.0.0.R.) TIMARU, August 18. By fielding a more balanced team, which maintained steady pressure in all departments of the game, Timaru Boys’ High School beat Southland Boys' High School by 16 points to 9 when their annual Rugby match was played at Fraser Park, Timaru, to-day. The football was well up to inter-school standard. Timaru’s victory was by no means easily won. A strong wind earlier in the day had dried out the ground considerably, but although the surface was still muddy, the ball stayed dry during most of the game. Conditions underfoot made the task of the backs difficult. The game was played in wintry weather and before a fair attendance.

A feature of the game was the constructive play of the Southland forwards, the visitors fielding one of the finest packs seen in an inter-school game in Timaru for many years. Although shaded in most of the set scrums by the heavier Timaru pack, their work in the loose was most spectacular, and they continually harried the opposition with formidable dribbling rushes. The principal ' factor in South-: land’s defeat was the slowness . of their backs, who, although very sound on defence, could not produce- sufficient paceto keep right up with the game when the forwards most needed their support.

The performance of the Timaru side was marked by the stolid work of its forwards and. the speed and penetration of its backs. Conditions were against the backs producing such movements as they showed themselves capable of in the re-: cent match with Waitakl, and they were confined to hard, straight running, which more often than not only put. them Into the waiting hands of the Southland backs. They were well served from the set scrums by the forwards, who hooked the ball consistently, particularly towards the end of the game. The forwards put insome good team work in the second half.: when they exploited the strong wind. The run of the play In the first half favoured Southland, and at half-time the visitors led by 6 points to 5. Tries were scored by Mi Murray and O. Hunter for the visitors, and for Timaru D. M. Gibb scored a try, which was converted by A. A. Fisher. In the second half R. C Halliday. N- A. Bracefield, and A. H. Marshall scored tries for Timaru, one being converted by J. H. Langford. I. Gilbertson kicked a penalty goal for Southland. Beferea: Mr J. Lewis.