RUGBY FOOTBALL REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26513, 30 August 1951, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

Canterbury Beats Southland

GOOD MARGIN IN FAST GAME Under very difficult conditions Canterbury ana Southland provided a fine game of at Lancaster Park yesterday when the score of 20 points to 6 in favour of Canterbury more than represented the difference in the play of the two teams. A strong south-west wind, which developed just before the game started, made handling of high punts very difficult. The ground provided good foothold, but a light rain made the ball greasy. It was all the more remarkable that the backs on both sides handled the ball so well. There were the odd lapses both in giving and taking passes. Canterbury was the better balanced team and although 11 of the 14 points scored in the first spell came from goals kicked by the Canterbury full-back, K. Stuart, the whole line of backs showed more fire and penetration when playing against the strong wind in the second spell. In the early part of the second half Southland raised hopes that they would overhaul the substantial total made by Canterbury but towards the end Canterbury was calling the tune. There was only a fair attendance, much smaller than might have been expected after the succession of Canterbury victories. K. C. Stuart, the Canterbury full-back, whose form in the early part of the season was not impressive, has risen to great heights in his last few matches, and yesterday's game was possibly the best he has played. His handling was exceptional. for not once in the game with or against the wind, did he make a mistake. With three penalty goals and a conversion in the first spell, he gave Canterbury a substantial lead, and in one of the last movements of the game he moved up with his three-quarters and played the major §art in giving R. Smith his second try. tuart's exhibition at full-back was one of the best seen in that position at Lancaster Park for a long time. Canterbury Baeks Impress R. Smith and w. Langley, the Canterbury wing three-quarters, each played like high-grade footballers, and though the scoring chances went to Smith, Langley’s determination in racing for the line or tackling was well above the average. Smith scored two spectacular tries, the first from a cross-kick by P. Kearney, which was really meant as a line-finder, and the second after an exchange of passes with his full-back. Playing against the wind, Kearney, from the centre of the field, kicked towards the side-line, and the ball looked like falling short, but bouncing out. Smith must have raced at great speed to get to the ball, which he took on the full and went on to score at the corner. It may have been a lucky try. The scoring of it was full of merit. He showed unselfishness when he combined so well with Stuart to score the final try. There was little wrong with the play of the Canterbury back line. The forwards sent the ball back to Vincent, who passed smartly to J. Hotop who, however, found it hard to gain a proper understanding with his outside fiveeighths, Kearney, until halfway through the first half. After that the combination appeared to work smoothly, Hotop had his work cut out to look after the mercurial Southland five-eighths, Wilson, who showed his best form early in the game. The features of Hotop’s play were his splendid backing up and accurate line-kicking. Kearney and Elsom combined well with their wing three-quar-ters, whose ability to switch the attack inside kept the Southland backs guessing and running. The Canterbury backs, however, did not have it all their own way for often the Southland half-back, P. Creedy, secured the ball and sent his backs away in grand style. Creedy and his first five-eighths, Wilfeon, appeared to have a good understanding, and ' only the sound tackling by the Canterbury forwards stopped each in turn from scoring tries. Creedy was very sound on defence and scored a welldeserved try. D. V. Smeaton, at centre, did not receive the chances a player of his ability deserved, and after the inside pair, the best attacking back was the wing three-quarters, R. A. Harper, whose chances were also restricted. Although the full-back. J. T. Millar, did not have the finish of the Canterbury man, his handling of a tricky ball was exceptionally good. He had a trying tinle but proved his worth by his excellent defence, especially in his tackling. It was not his fault that Canterbury scored three tries.

Forwards Evenly Matched The forward packs were fairly evenly matched, although Canterbury seemed to have the heavier eight. In the line-outs G. Lindstrom dominated the position, although in open play he appeared to attempt too much with the result that he mishandled more often than he usually does. R. H. Duff was Lindstrom's main support in the line-outs, and in all other departments A. M. Henderson came into the Umelight, later, and J. D. Stewart and P. Eastgate showed up. C. O. Ballam, considered by many to have been unlucky to miss the trip to Australia with the All Blacks, was the best Southland forward and often he went up in the line-out to get the ball. He was also a fast worker in the loose rushes. W. A. McCaw did not show the brilliance expected of him, and would possibly have been better on the side of the scrum than playing as number eight. F. Boyle was always where the hardest work was being done, and R. Bowen, who replaced T. A. Budd in the scrum, played soundly. Following were the teams:— Southland.—J. T. Millar; R. A. Harper, D. V. Smeaton, J. S. McDonald; L. Ashby. A. L. Wilson; P. Cxeedy; W. A. McCaw, M. B. Harrington, C. O. Ballam, R. Bowen, R. Anderson, A. Fade, A. Woods, F. Boyle. Canterbury.—K. C. Stuart; W. Langley. A. E. Elsom, R. Smith; P. V. Kearney, J. Hotop; P. B. Vincent; A. M. Henderson, R. C. Stuart, R. H. Duff, G Lindstrom, F. HUI, P. Eastgate, D. Young, J. D. Stewart. Scoring Moves Playing with a strong wind in the first spell, Canterbury had the advantage, and after K. Stuart had failed with an attempt from a penalty and Kearney with a pot at goal, Hotop and Smith were caught in possession m quick succession. Millar, Southland full-back, saved several times with long line-finders which were almost matched by Hotop’s long kicks Kearney, Elsom, and Smith were associated in a passing rush which was pulled up when a Southland back played a tackled ball. From an easy position. K. Stuart kicked a penalty goal. Hotop handled twice in a passing rush only to 'see Langley drop the ball, and Wilson left Hotop and Kearney standing when he burst through.' Southland forwards were ruled offside after a dribbling rush, and Stuart kicked his second goal. Smith came into the picture with a brilliant tackle of the Southland wing, McDonald, and after chain-passing by the Canterbury backs. Langley sent infield to Hotop, who scored a good try which Stuart converted. Millar, the Southland full-back, was applauded for good handling. From 45 yards out, Stuart kicked his third penalty goal, giving Canterbury a lead of 14 points at half-time.

Early in tnt second spell Southland attacked wtih vigour and narrowly missed several tries. McDonald gained 50 yards with a line-kick and, from hard forward work on the Canterbury line, Creedy scored. A kick by Harper hit an upright and Canterbury was lucky to retain its good lead which, however, was reduced when Millar kicked a penalty goal after a scrum infringement Canterbury now held the upper hand, and when Kearney kicked across field Smith took the ball racing at top, and after a 35 yards run, scored at the corner. It was a brilliant try. From the fullback position, K. Stuart moved up to the three-quarters line, and handled twice before Smith went over for his second try. Canterbury won by 20 points (a goal from a try, two tries, and three penalty goals) to 6 points (a try and a penalty goal). Mr V. C. Empson was referee.