SOUTH CANTERBURY BEATS AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25271, 25 August 1947, Page 5

SOUTH CANTERBURY BEATS AUCKLAND

MORE THAN 5000 SPECTATORS AT TIMARU MATCH Mainly through the efforts ol the South Canterbury forwards in opening up the match for the speedy backs, the strong team fielded by Aucklarid was well beaten on its merits by 24 points to 8 at Fraser Park, Timaru, on Saturday. Played on firm turf, the match was watched by more than 5000 persons. This was the second occasion on which Auckland had played at Timaru, the first being in 1922, when South Canterbury beat the tourists.

Although it held the home pack in the first half, the Auckland team had few opportunities late in the match, the South Canterbury forwards and backs combining in some brilliant movements. Five tries, three conversions, and a penalty goal comprised the winning team’s score, while Auckland’s score was made up of a converted try and a penalty goal. Auckland was slightly superior in the scrums and line-outs, but nad no counter for the quick breaking of the South Canterbury scrum, and often tried to pick the ball up from a forward’s .toes, instead of going down to it. By its tactics South Canterbury carved its way through the opposition times without number. The visitors packed well in the set scrums, but because of slowness in following up. the South Canterbury full-back, J. Goddard, usually had time to clear when his side had been caught by a stab punt. The South Canterbury forwards worked hard in the tight. It was in the loose rucks that Auckland failed. South Canterbury was prepared to hook man and ball when a player was caught lying on it. Auckland only made half hearted attempts, and the home forwards .were on top with their swift breaking. The tackling was hard on both sides, with the 'Auckland inside backs trying some tricky manouevres in an endeavour to find the gaps. Often the backs ran into trouble, and there was always a home forward backing up to catch any opponents cutting in. There was no doubt about the speed of the Auckland backs, and they threw the ’ ball round in a manner which delighted the crowd. Their tactics made for bright Play; yet it did not provide any counter for the solid dribbling rushes and orthodox back movements of their opponents, who scored rapidly in the last quarter ot the match. The South Canterbury forwards rattled the visiting backs, and the forwards, rucking smartly with quick heeling, gave the backs plenty of the ball. For ’South Canterbury, Moore scored two tries, M. Goddard, Comer, and Pratt each scored one, and Prattley kicked a penalty goal and converted three tries. Auckland’s try was scored by Deas and converted by Beattie, who also kicked a penalty goal. The referee was Mr R. R. Beattie. The teams were:— Auckland.—R. T. O'Callaghan, R. Fox, L. W. Deas, J. R. Sherratt, D. J. Ewert, R. L. Dobson. G. Kearney A. R ; Storey, P. J. Crowley, C. Don, M. J. McHugh, L. Tregoweth, A. J. West, M. C. Castle, and W. J. South Canterbury.—J. Goddard, R. Prattley, M, Goddard. R. Comer, T. Doherty, A. Moore. D. Parsons, T. Ellis, J. McConnell, L. Grant. J. Bryce, P. Morgan, J. A. Patrick, G. O’Hara, and I. PaterThe South Canterbury second fiveeighths. Doherty, suffered a broken collarbone and was admitted to the Timaru Public Hospital. His condition yesterday was reported to be satisfactory. OTAGO BEATS MANAWATU (P.A.) PALMERSTON NORTH. Aug. 24. In the first match of its northern tour, played here on Saturday, the Otago Rugby team decisively beat Manawatu by 21 points to 3. Keeping the ball in the Tight and hunting in a pack, the Otago forwards completely dominated the play, and they were well supported by a fast set of backs. Otago’s points came from unconverted tries by Hellyer (2). Murdoch, Dotting, and Aitken, and Murdoch kicked two penalty goals. Manawatu, H. Richardson scored a try. WANGANUI BEATS WAIRARAPA (P.A.) WANGANUI, Aug. 24. The Wanganui representative Rugby team had its third successive win this season on Saturday, beating Wairarapa by 14 points to 6. Wanganui deserved to win. fielding faster forwards and more resolute backs. A. W. Blake, the former Kiwi player, played soundly for the visitors in ■ the scrum. B. Couch, the All Black, was safe at first five-eighths, but was well marked by M. Hunter, a son of the 1905 All Black. Wanganui scored four tries, one of which- was converted, to a penalty goal and an unconverted try. COUNTRY TOURING TEAM SELECTED The Canterbury Sub-Union’s country touring team has now been selected. Because .of seasonal work on the farms several men were not available. The team will leave Christchurch on August 28 and will play Kaikoura in the afternoon. Other fixtures are:—Saturday, August 30: match against Golden Bay-Motueka Union, at Motueka; Wednesday, September 3: 'match against Buller (Seddon Shield holders), at Westport; Saturday, September 6: match against West Coast, at Grey mouth. The following players will make the tcur:—backs: T. Richards (Mai.), D. Masefield (Pen.), J. Laugeson (Hur.), C. V Rowlands (N.C.), R. Perry (Ell.), A. Richards (Mai.), L'. McNally (N.C.), K. Burrows (Hur.), R. Coleman (Ell.). Forwards: A. Chapman (Pen.). A. Richmond (Ell.), >. D. Stewart (Ell.), M. Kay (Pen.), H. Hartley (Pen.). A. Loffhagen (N.C.), G. Parsons (Hur.), M. Henderson (N.C.), D. Mould (Pen.), and E. Pulley (N.C.).

NORTH CANTERBURY SUB-UNION

With only one round of games to be played. Amberley is in the leading position ii> the North Canterbury Rugby SubUnion’s senior competition. Kowai and Amberley were at the head of the ladder before Saturday’s games., but Kowai was beaten by North Canterbury on Saturday at Sefton.

The position of the teams is as follows: Amberley 11-5. Kowai 10J, North Canterbury 94, Glenmark 8, Oxford 6, Nga-tu-Ahuriri 4|. Cust 1. Woodend 1. A fine try by G. Chambers (full-back) gave North Canterbury a three-point lead ever Kowai in the match at Sefton. Chambers ' kicked through the defence, followed up quickly, and snapped up the ball to score. Kowai missed one fairly easy penalty goal, but came no closer to scoring. Both sides defended stoutly, and all movements were neld up short of the line. North Canterbury won by 3 points to 0. Glenmark beat Cust by 15 points to 3. Oxford beat Woodend by default, and Amberley beat Nga-tu-Ahuriri by default. Junior Grade Junior games resulted: — A Grade. —Oxford 6. Loburn 3: North Canterbury 9. Southbrook 5; Ohoka beat Nga-tu-Ahuriri by default. Kowai had a bye. B Grade.—Woodend 11. Oxford 9; Amberley 9. Cust 3; Glenmark 11. North Canterbury 6. DRAW FOR SATURDAY The following is the draw for next Saturday:— Seniors.—Ko v. Glen (Mr A. Cameron); Am v. Ox (Mr M. Cusack); Cu v NC (Mr K. Denton); Nga v. Wo (Mr C. Robb). Junior A.—Oh v. Ko (Mr J. Loader); Ox v. Sb (Mr S. Cowens); Lo v. Nga (Mr J. C. Jones): NC a bye. Junior B.—Glen v. Cu (Mr F. Quiglev); Wo v. Am. (Mr R. Burney); Cx v. NC (Mr A. Inch) (1.30 p.m.). Advt.