Rugby SPRINGBOKS WIN AGAIN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 7

Rugby SPRINGBOKS WIN AGAIN

21-9 Victory Over N.E. Counties (NJL Prill Xiaociatton— Cowright) LONDON, Dec. 31. The South African Rugby tourist* scored yet another victory when they beat North-Eastern Counties 21-0 at Gosforth today. The score, however, was not a real reflection of the play, for the counties, beaten at first in the set scrums, later got on top with sound scrummaging by the front row. Towards the end. however, the Springbok pack made its weight felt Tries for the tourists were scored by K. Oxlee (2). G. van Zyl and I. Kirkpatrick. Du Freeze converted three and also landed a penalty goal. North-Eastern Counties' tries were scored by Weston and Hall while Rutherford kicked a penalty goal. The Springboks shot into a three-point lead in three minutes. Onlee scampered down the line to touch down in the corner. Du Freeze failed to convert. After 10 minutes they went further ahead when van Zyl charged down a clearance and barged over. Du Freeze converted.

Counties had a chance to pull the Springboks back but Rutherford missed an easy penalty. The home forwards were playing with plenty of fire and were more than holding their own. Four minutes from half-time Counties scored a try when Weston beat Snglebrecht to touch down. Rutherford missed the kick. A few seconds later Weston narrowly missed a field goal. At half time the Springboks led 8-3.

A storming forward rush followed a kick by Weston and the South Africans were fortunate not to have anbther try registered against them early in the second half. A chance went begging when Senior stopped in his tracks with only five yards to go and Wilson was able to smother him. Now the South Africans were having a harrassing time with play confined to their twenty-five. With 33 minutes of the second half gone, after an accidental off-side Hodgson was penalised for foot up and Du Freeze had no difficulty in goaling for the penalty. Du Freeze again goaled from a try by Oxlee three minutes later. The final score for North-Eastern came with a fine 40-yard penalty kick by Rutherford.