RUGBY South Island Universities Beat North In Stirring Game

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29872, 12 July 1962, Page 16

RUGBY South Island Universities Beat North In Stirring Game

Although winning a large share of possession from rucks and set play, the South Island had to make an inspired effort in the last few minutes to beat the North Island, 16-13, in the twenty-first university inter-island match at Rugby Park yesterday. A movement in which the ball was retained throughout three passing rushes and three rucks ended when the South Island right wing, D. J. Davison, scored the winning try in the comer, seven minutes before full time.

The game lacked nothing in action; there was spirited play among the forwards and bright passing and hard tackling in the backs. It was an entertaining game for the 4000 who saw it;

The speed at which the match was played was noteworthy, as the heavy ground was a handicap to fleetness of foot. This was particularly noticeable in the lack of following-up by forwards in the later stages of the game.

The teams were:— South Island Universities: D. C. Leary; D. J. Davison. Q. T. Tapsell, B. M. Weenink; R. C. Moreton, E. W. Kirton; C. J. Laidlaw; T. H. Moynihan (captain); P. G. Bark, K. A. Nelson, A. J. Stewart, B. R. Smither; J. C. Lindsay. J. N. Creighton, M. W. Allen. During the game R. J. Vivian replaced Weenink. C. Mantel! replaced Nelson, and A. F. Orme replaced Tapsell.

North Island Universities: M. W. Williment; K. Comber, I. N. Uttley, A. Aston: R. Burnes, T. N. Wolfe: J. Tustin: R. Hodges (captain): G. Wyman, O. Shaw, J. Cartwright, J. Rumball: B. Hay, G. Linford, C. Edwards. D. Murphy replaced Uttley 10 minutes after the start. South was the better side on paper and its favouritism was strengthened by the number of alterations required in the North Island team. But on the field of play North quickly set about proving its worth. It scored two smart tries in the early stages, led 8-5 at half-time, and. after South had taken the lead in the second half, hit back spectacularly to level the scores at 13-all. It required South’s final 15-man effort to wrest the honours from the visiting side. As an added disadvantage. North had to be content with second best in the battle for possession against the powerful South forwards. Stewart was in capital form in the line-outs, with Allen and Nelson able lieutenants; Creighton—who gained the only tight head of the game —struck swiftly in the scrums; and the rucking of the South forwards was often swift enough to give their backs a flying and unimpeded start.

North’s backs, however, lost little in comparison. Their fast passing and determined man-for-man tackling left a favourable impression of their ability. Wolfe Exeels The genius in the North line was Wolfe, who had played so well for Wellington against Canterbury the previous Saturday. Tliis time at first fiveeighths he set the back-line in action with crisp passes, and made several of the thrusting little runs that first brought him into the national eye. His tackling, too. full-blooded and exuberant, excited the admiration of the most staid observer. Wolfe’s fellow 1962 All Black. Moreton. at second five-eighths for South, was inclined to try his hand too much, but there were one or two searing bursts in mid-field which showed his stamp. His passing, as always, was beautifully controlled. The match was full of fine players, and innumerable fine moments. Leary and Williment were reliable full-backs—Willi-ment specially so—Aston, enterprising and quick-footed, was the wing of the match, and Davison piayed with considerable dash. Tapsell had a good match, but it was a pity that Ills marker, Uttley. who is highly regarded in Wellington, was injured after only 10 minutes’ play. The duel between the two would have been in-; teresting. Laidlaw made a good impres- i sion at half-back for South, varying his play well. Stewart and Allen were robust forwards tor South, and in the first 20 minute*. Creighton was all energy. Moynihan played a much tighter game than his marker. Hodges, leaving the roving play to Smither, who filled the role ablv. South was unfortunate to lose Nelson because of an injured shoulder. The big Otago forward distinguished himself in several phases of forward play, and, in collaboration with Moreton. scored a wonderful try after a surging run from half way. South's victory was its twelfth in the inter-island fixture. North has won eight, and one game was drawn. Mr R. W. Phizacklea was the I referee.