Cantabrians lose, 15-3, to Goldfields

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 11

Cantabrians lose, 15-3, to Goldfields

As if to make the players feel that they were not heating the gun, the sudden change in the weather on Saturday afternoon coincided with the start of the first Rugby match Of any consequence in Christchurch this year—a game at Denton Oval between Cantabrians and the touring Thames Valley side, Goldfields.

However, it is doubtful if the swirling southerly, which preceded the rain, made the players feel at home and it certainly sorted out the spectators in quick time. More than 1000 saw the

game start, but only a 100 or so saw it finish—the majority taking their leave in the opening minutes.

Goldfields deservedly won 15-3 and not only lasted the 80 minutes much better than Cantabrians, but also appeared to have a better

memory of what winning Rugby was all about. This could almost certainly be attributed to two earlier games on the West Coast—both of which Goldfields won —and the combinations built up there were instrumental in thwarting any attacking sorties Cantabrians managed to get off the ground.

Goldfields also adapted better to the conditions and as the wind gave way to rain in the second spell the visitors hammered home the advantages they had held and added nine points In the last 10 minutes.

Notwithstanding excuses which could be readily found, the form of some of the Cantabrians was a little disquieting. Of the backs only L. J. Davis and O. D. Bruce hit their hopples and even W. F. McCormick at times looked like a man who was at the end

“J’S* »•«<>« rather than on the beginning of one. The fledgling wing, W. J. Argus, showed enough dash on attack to favourably meet the comparisons which must Inevitably be made with his famous father, but he blued badly when he ran McCormick Into position for g pass and gave him three defenders along with the ball. The bruising which McCormick took in the ruck that followed might have persuaded the All Black full-back to have a few words with his young team-mate. One or two of the Cantabrian forwards—not counting those who are strictly social in their activities these days—looked surprisingly sluggish and one will need to lose a number of inches round the middle If he Is to fit into the All Black jersey he wore last winter.

Of the eight the pick was possibly the hardy veteran, N. G. Cornelius, who still looks to have much good Rugby In him, in spite of the fact that he an-

nounced his retirement last season. He was of consistently better value in the loose on Saturday than his more highlyrated colleagues, A. J. WylUe and A. E. Matheson. Goldfields’ strength was the enterprising forwards, none more so than the captain, I. Begbie, whose initial breaks a number of times set Goldfields on the rampage.

The former All Black, F. H. Murdoch, was a most able first five-eighths and at' full-back, J. W. Makgill, impressed aS a man whom It would take more than a minor tempest to upset. For Goldfields J. Hart, a quickfooted half-back, scored a try and drop-kicked a goal; Murdoch also kicked a dropped goal and Makgill kicked two penalty goals. WylUe scored a try for Cantabrians after a tap-penalty had been taken 15 yards from the Goldfields goal-line. The referee was Mr K. G. N. Orsbourn.