SOUTHLAND 13, FIJI 8

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28362, 22 August 1957, Page 5

SOUTHLAND 13, FIJI 8

Play Affected By Heavy Ground

tNen Zeuiuna t'tetu- Associnitont INVERCARGILL, August 21. Strong forward play laid the foundation for Southland’s L 3-8 win against the touring Fijian Rugby team at Rugby Park, Invercargill, today. Playing on a ground soaked Dy overnight rain, both sides made many mistakes and the uncertain footing took much of the expected sparkle from the game, but the crowd of about 17,500 was given a display of fast, open Rugby. The Fijians opened up play at every opportunity. W. R. Archer, the Southland captain and first five-eighths, kicked far too much, and the other home backs saw Little of the ball. The Southland forwards, although matched by the Fijians in the scrums and lineouts, enjoyed a marked superiority in racking largely because of the Fijian forwards’ disinclination to retire after taking part in a movement. The Southland players did not compare well with the Fijians in tackling, only K. Laidlaw (centre) and G. S McKenzie (full-back) giving consistent displays. O. Dawai, K. Bose and J. Mucumbita were outstanding Fijian backs, and N. Na bora and J. Saukuru showed up among the forwards. Southland was without five of its originally selected players. A. J. Soper, and J. R. Watt, 1957 All Blacks, withdrew oil the day of the match with influenza. For Southland, tries were scored by K. Laidlaw, A. McMeekan, and G. Erskine. G. S. McKenzie converted two. N. Naboro and S. Domoni scored tries for Fiji and K Bose converted one. The referee was Mr L. S. Kirk 'Christchurch). SUB-UNIONS’ WIN First Game Of Tour At Greymouth (From Our Own Reporter/ GREYMCUTH, August 21. The Canterbury Sub-Unions’ Rug v y team made a good start to their tour of Seddon shield districts by beating West Coast at Greymouth this afternoon by 3 points to 0. The three points came from a try late in the first spell by E. Murray. The game was transferred from Rugby Park after heavy overnight and morning rain to preserve Rugby Park for the Seddon shield challenge match next Saturday. The ground at Victoria Park was covered with sheets of water in parts and under such conditions both teams gave a reasonably good exhibition. The weather was fine but the game was watched by only 500 oi 600 spectators. From a territorial point of view neither team was dominant, but the Canterbury side, more especially the forwards, adapted themselves better to the conditions. They had some fast-following raking forwards who continually harassed the defence tn line-outs and scrums. Both sets of backs tried up and under and grubber kicks, but usually found th? defence equal to the occasion. One of the features of the match was the consistent long line kicking by D. Hendry. West Coast’s fullback. L. Lundy, at full-back for the touring side, handled equally well and proved just as reliable, although his kicking lacked the length of his opposite. The West Coast forwards were unable to adapt themselves to wet weather play as well as their opponents, and for this reason the backs suffered from a lack of opportunities. E. Colville, at half-back, was continuously troubled by the fast breaking of the opposition, who were allowed some latitude. On the general run of play Canterbury SubUnions thoroughly deserved its success. SOUTH ISLAND POLICE SIDE (New Zeaiana Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 21. The Otago Police Rugby team beat the Christchurch police by 11 points to 3 this afternoon. For Otago. W. Barber scored two tries and R. Christie converted one and kicked a penalty. P. Larkins kicked a penalty eoa) f or Canterbury. After the match, Messrs L. Hughes and J. Walker, the selectors, chose the following South Island police team: — Ethorne (Canterbury): McAuley (Otago). Barber (Otago), Stewart (Canterbury): Thompson (Otago), captain, Brookbank (Otago); Dawson (Otago): Leslie (Canterbury), Longley (Canterbury), vice-captain, Wheeler (Canterbury), Direen (Canterbury), Christie (Otago), Prentice (Otago), Ashworth (Canterbury), Buchanan (Otago). Reserves.—Backs: Preston (Canterbury). Matheson (Otago). Forwards: Curry (Otago), McNally (Canterbury). Manawatu Beaten By Otago (New Zeaiana Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 21. Otago had its first representative Rugby win of the season by beating Manawatu 14 to 0 on a heavy ground at Carisbrook today. Both teams

attempted to keep the game alive by playing to the wings, and there were many bright exchanges.

Otago improved on its earlier displays this season and showed that wet conditions could be an advantage to the team on the northern tour. The forwards out-lasted their opponents and produced more drive in the open than has been apparent in previous games. With the territorial advantage it enjoyed for most of the game. Otago should have scored more points. E. S. Diack kicked a goal from a penalty and J. B. Buxton, H. J. Levien, and N. Clark scored tries, one of which was converted by Diack.

(Junior Representative Teams on Pat* «)