Southland Repulsed By Strong Defence

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 15

Southland Repulsed By Strong Defence

While the skill and enterprise of the backs provided most of the frills and all the points, it was Canterbury’s forwards who supplied the spade work for the home side’s 14-3 victory against Southland at Lancaster Park on Saturday.

The resolute manner in which the Canterbury forwards engaged and repulsed the rejuv e n a t e d Southland pack in the second half and the energy and anticipation they showed on cover defence spelt the end of Southland’s hopes of its first win in Christchurch since 1947. The Southland forwards gained a slight advantage in the struggle for possession and its backline was a competent attacking unit, especially when Townsend came striding up from full-back to add thrust to movements. But Canterbury’s defence answered the many calls made on it; the inside backs tackled fearlessly and the effective covering of the forwards, particularly Wyllie, thwarted the advantage Southland gained by bringing Townsend into the attacks. Southland had another string to its bow: Archer’s shrewd left-foot punts, whose descent to the Canterbury goalmouth was calculated to coincide with the arrival of Southland’s loose forwards. McCormick, however, never faltered; in fact, he seemed to relish these situations and saved his side with aplomb. Penetration On attack Canterbury displayed more pace and penetration than its opponent on the muddy field. Arnold, back at second five-eighths, was in his most adventurous mood and Watt was very lively. The three-quarters ran with zest and Flewellyn and McCormick were of good value in secondary play. Equally effective. however, was the back row forward, Penrose. who made some crashing runs after being quickly into position to support his backs. Canterbury gained the upper hand in the first minute of the game. Arnold cut past his marker. Welsh, drew Townsend, and sent Hatchell helterskelter for the goal-line. Thereafter Canterbury was sometimes held but never robbed of the initiative. The acid test of Canterbury s fortitude came in the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Southland captain. Spencer, had chosen to plav into the teeth of the howling south-westerly wind in the first half, at the end of which Canterbury led. 11-0. But with the wind at their backs, the Southland forwards were a different proposition. They won several rucks Impressively and packed against the heavier Canterbury scrum so effectively that Spencer was able to win two tight heads quickly from Creighton. Gained Penalty All that the visitors gained from this effort, however, was a straight-forward penalty goal. Canterbury spent almost all the 15min deep in its own territory, but its defence was unyielding. In the first half Southland gained a distinct advantage in the line-outs through the welltimed leaping of Dermody and Miller. Later Canterbury reduced the leeway with its knock-back technique. The strong wind ensured that the

ball carried quickly to Flewellyn. Southland won twice as many rucks as Canterbury and Spencer took four tight heads to Creighton’s one. But this advantage was offset by the diligent cover provided by the Canterbury loose forwards, Cornelius, Wyllie and Penrose, and the solid front presented by the complete pack. Arnold gave his finest display

for a long time. He breached the Southland back-line with consumate ease and there was always purpose in his running and passing. The strong running centre, Hatchwell, also had a good game. He scored two tries, and both of them were engineered by Arnold; one from his clean break and the other from a well-placed grubber kick. The All Black Wings, Birtwistle and Smith, had an interesting dual with the Canterbury player making the better impression. In one fine effort, Birtwistle ran round Smith and side-stepped Townsend, but the diligent Archer stopped him syds from the goal-line. Three minutes from the end, Birtwistle kicked the ball upwind for 70yds. Once again, he was tackled syds from the line, this time by Frew, but Cornelius managed to flick the ball to Phelan for a try in the corner. Southland sorely missed its regular full-back, B. J. Cullen, who is a polished goal-kicker. Southland was awarded 17 penalties to Canterbury’s 10, but Townsend succeeded only once in six shots at goal. Eventually Spencer had a kick but he, too, missed. For Canterbury, Hatchwell (2) and Phelan scored tries. McCormick converted one and kicked a penalty goal. Townsend kicked a penalty goal for Southland. Referee: Mr A. R. Taylor.