LEAGUE North Beats South In Disappointing Match

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28987, 31 August 1959, Page 5

LEAGUE North Beats South In Disappointing Match

(From Our Own Reporter)

AUCKLAND, August 30.

The North-South Rugby League game yester>n°t P ro^uce the high standard ,expected, the North Island team won, 26-13. For much of the F a P? e ’ defence appeared to be the main concern of both sides and much of the sparkle usual in these games was missing. - ’

. .The first spell was disappointing because of infringements. The North Island players were the biggest offenders and their tactics in the scrums and °^ s^e Pl a y brought frequent penalties. Although there was a big improvement in the second half, the referee’s task was not much easier.

The brightest movements in the game came from the fast and clean-handling North Island backline, whose speed and anticipation were a feature of the game. Although the South Island received a fair share of the ball its backline seldom settled down because of the close marking of the opposite numbers. On defence, the North Island backs adopted a tight defensive line and the South Island backs generally found a defender arriving at the same time as the ball.

These tactics by the North Island backs paid dividends but did much to spoil the game as a spectacle.

Two very evenly matched packs of forwards had a very keen tussle, with the North Island perhaps taking the honours through their effort in being faster to the loose play. Their efforts in this respect and the speed in which they fed the ball to their ever-ready backline was the deciding factor in the North Island victory. In every other aspect of forward play the South Island was every bit as impressive and had it taken more advantage of the opportunities from loose play the result could have been different. Experience The experience of international football was very apparent in the North Island backline with the inside backs, S. Belsham, B. Campbell and W. Sorensen combining with a fine understanding. These players made numerous openings for their outside supports and it was only the South Island’s good cover defence which prevented more tries being scored. Although the South Island inside backs showed a lot of promise from loose play they were not impressive in set play, where they had no answer to the tight defence. They continually attempted to beat their markers where on many occasions a short kick ahead would have brought better results. Much of the credit for the North Island win must go to the second five-eighths, W. Sorensen, for his fine tackling. However, on many occasions it appeared that he was getting off the mark a little suddenly when the ball was hooked by the South Island. The full back, G. Phillips, lived up to the good reputation he gained during the tour of Australia. His clean handling and perfect judgment when coming up into the backline were highlights'of the game.

The main try scorer was N. Denton, and although he did not have to make them himself, proved his class by being right on the spot to finish off the movements with his great speed and perfect handling. Although he did not see much of the ball, C. Eastlake, who was surprisingly played on the wing, proved his worth by kicking seven goals. Played Solidly The South Island half-back, G. Skinner, played very solidly but at times he could have switched play back into his forwards when the defence had his outside backs covered. The five-eighths, G. Menzies and J. Bond, together with R. Billington, at centre, did

SCHOOLBOYS’ MATCH North Beats South, 19-5 (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 30. The North Island schoolboy Rugby League team had a little too much skill and speed for the South Island in the curtain-raiser at Carlaw Park on Saturday. North won in entertaining fashion by 19 points to 5. For North. D McNabb (2). W Quedley (2), and K. Williams scored tries N. Brady converted two. M Manderson, the West Coast youth who holds two national swimming records, scored for the South Island, and J. McKenzie kicked the conversion. The New Zealand team, announced after the game, was: M. Brady (Auckland, captain), W. Quedley (Auckland), B. Rikihana (South Auckland). M. McGarry (Canterbury), D. Abbott (South Auckland). S. Proctor (South Auckland), J. Hona (South Auckland), K. Blackler (Canterbury), K. Williams (Auckland). B. Lough (Auckland), M. Manderson (West Coast, vice-captain), M Muru (South Auckland), G. Cowsill (Auckland), D. McNabb (Auckland).

Matches In Other Centres

not let up in their efforts to find gaps. However, they were mostly disappointed and their best efforts came from open play. The wings, R. Griffiths and E. Anderson, received few opportunities on attack but repeatedly showed up with their strong defence. G. Kennedy had a lot of work at full-back and did it all well. His good tackling was a big asset to his side. The outstanding forward on the ground was the North Islander, R. Ackland, whose powerful running and deadly tackling were an object lesson. R. Percy excelled on cover defence but was not as impressive as usual in the open where South’s cover defence was very strong. The best South Island forwards were J. Butterfield. K. Pearce and M. Cooke, who did not let up right through the game. Several gool breaks by R. B. Gardiner and R. Turton could have brought tries with better support. For the North Island N. Denton scored four tries, C. Eastlake converted two tries and kicked five penalty goals. South Island’s points came from a try by R. Billington, which was converted by K. Pearce. Pearce also kicked four penalty goals. The referee was Mr P. Yaxley (Canterbury).

Wellington.—Marist 17, St. George 10. Dunedin.—Hornby (Christchurch) 33, Otago Colts 8.