THE SPRINGBOKS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 260, 28 July 1921, Page 6

THE SPRINGBOKS

ANOTHER VICTORY WEST COAST DEFEATED BY 33 POINTS TO 3 FINE KICKING BY DE VILLIERS By Telegraph—Press Association. Greymouth, July 27. The Springboks defeated the West Coast and Buller representatives by thirty-three to three. The game was played in lovely weather, and there were ttur thousand people present. A try by M’eepcner and three fine penalty goals by De Villiers made the halftime score twelve to nil. Tries were scored in the second spell by Zeller (3), Senden. and Atostert. Throe were converted bv De Villiers. The local forwards held their own in tins first Half and .in the loose till near the end, but there was no combination among the backs, who were weak in at-tack-and defence. The accurate passing of the visiting backs led to all the tries but the last, which resulted from a fine forward attack. The only local score was a penalty goal by Steel. Except in occasional loose rushes by the Coast forwards, play was seldom in the Springboks’ territory. At the opening of the game there was even forward play, followed by passing by the Springboks’ backs. Zoller was collared, and then a cross-kick by Van Heerden to Townsend to Senden and Weepener saw the last-named score. The Coast tackling generally was poor. The visitors had the better of the scrums, but the Coast forwards' good open work evened matters. Advantage in the line-out and in the scrum was mostly with the Springboks, who used the touchline to good effect. J’he defensive play of Ryan helped the Coast. Van Heerden twice got away, and was grassed once, but later hurdled over the full-back, and over the line, failing to touch down. Townsend, Michau, and yyeepener were always prominent in passim’ bouts. Do Villiers let nothing pass him. Offside and handling by the visitors was penalised. . Steel bad little chance except in defensive work, but O'Callaghan was aggressive occasionally for the losers. The scores are not a fair criterion of the first half, but in the second spell tho visitors had the mastery, which grew as play progressed. They worked the blind Side of the scrum, scoring thus a couple of tries. Van Rooyen, Mostert, nnd Ollivier stood out in the visitors’ pack, while Townsend, Zeller, Micliau, a.nd Weeponer were tho most prominent backs. Mount! was the best of the Coast forwards. The game generally was on the slow side, the weight of the visitors giving them mastery over a lighter team lacking combination and initiative. A feature of the game was the accurate goal and line-kicking of De Villiers, fullback. THE THIRD TEST. The Now Zealand Rugby Union notified the Wellington. Rugby Union yesterday that the third Test had been definitely fixed for September 17. It Is stated that an extra match against the Maoris will be played, probably at Wellington. PROPOSED RETURN MATCH IN WELLINGTON. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) lias received from Air. H. C. Bennett, manager of tho South African Rugby football team, tho following reply to his telegraphed request for a return match between . tho Springboks and M ellingtOn:—"Thanks very much for your telegram of oven date. I cannot at this stage commit myself to a return match against Wellington. Everything depends on circumstances. I'm afraid it will be impossible. but we can see later on. Witli kind regards." WELLINGTON LOSES KOHN SHIELD By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, July 27. Playing for the Kohn Shield, Auckland Tramways defeated Wellington Tramways (holders) by 3 points to nil. DANNEVIRKE BEATS BUSH UNION. Br Telegraph—Press Association. Dannevirke, July 27. The Dannevirke Bub-Union Rugby representatives to-day defeated the Bush Union team by 19 points to G.