N.S.W. COUNTRY BEATEN

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29273, 3 August 1960, Page 20

N.S.W. COUNTRY BEATEN

Southland Wins 94), In Mud (New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, August 2. The New South Wales Country Rugby team lost for the third time in eight games on its South Island tour when Southland beat it, 9-0, at Rugby Park this afternoon. ft was the first time on its tour that the team had failed to score. Both the home side, playing its first representative game this season, and the tourists showed that they were prepared to open the game, but the state of the ground was against them. Heavy rain during mid-morning gave the park, a liberal coating of slush. Southland's nine points, scored in the first half, were all of the “gift” nature. The Country side conceded two penalties within 15 yards to 20 yards of its posts, and the home side’s full-back, B. Cullen, kicked goals. Then R. Connolly, the visitors’ full-back and captain, dropped the ball in his own in-goal area, and J. G. Allison, the Southland left wing, followed up fast to score.

In the heavy going the Southland forwards had a slight edge over the visitors, but the New South Wales backs gave evidence that on a dry day they might have troubled Southland. The half-back, K. McMullen, played a fine game. Connolly, apart from the ball-dropping blemish, was in splendid form at full-back.

In the New South Wales forwards none toiled to better purpose than J. White, the big Wallaby prop. P. Fenwicke did some useful foraging at No. 8.

In the Southland §ide the fullback, Cullen, made a debut full of propuse.,- With the Archer brothers he was the best of the backs. E. A. Gorton and L. K. Fyall gave good service ip the forwards. Twenty-six penalties were awarded during the game, 14 to Southland and 12 to New South Wales Country.