AUSTRALIA WINS AT BLENHEIM

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25903, 8 September 1949, Page 6

AUSTRALIA WINS AT BLENHEIM

COMBINED TEAM’S GOOD SHOWING

POINTS EVEN IN FIRST SPELL

(New Zealand Press Association.) BLENHEIM, September 7.

The touring Australian Rugby team met unexpectedly strong opposition in its .■natch against Marlborough-Nelson-Golden Bay to-day. Australia won by 14 points to 8, and deserved to, but it was not until near the end that the issue was beyond doubt

Territoi ially. the first spell was much in favour of the Combined team, whose oustiing loose rushes prevented the Australian backs from exploiting their superiority in speed and understanding. The score at half-time was 3-all. Australia’s points had come from a try by Broad alter a brilliant run by Solomon had broken the defence. Taylor kicked a penalty goal for the Combined team. In the latter part of the first spell, the Combined team was consistently in Australian territory Jensen and Raymond were outstanding in loose rushes and Taylor, a member of the Maori team that toured Australia this year, and Hobson played exceptionally well in the backs. The Australians were quick off the mark in the second spell but could not quite produce the finishing touch. For a lime the game was more willing than scientific, but then came a brilliant exhibition of speed and good handling, when Cawsey came up into a passing rush and made a fine opening, which Allan finished with a try. The Australians at this stagehad a definite advantage in the scrums and launched a succession of back rushes. Burke received a long pass from a forward melee near touch and cut through brilliantly to make an opportunity for Brockhoff, who scored well out Allan converted.

Combined replied with a bustling forward rush from which the ball went from Raymond to Garguilo and Taylor. Tayloi made a tricky run to score near the posts. Hobson converted, making the score: Australia 11. Combined 3. With only a few minutes to go the pace was again hot, with the Australians producing bewildering speed. An especially fine movement was finished by Allan, who scored a great try