BRAND’S EFFECTIVE KICKING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 265, 5 August 1937, Page 13

BRAND’S EFFECTIVE KICKING

Full-back’s 21 Points MANAWATU COLLAPSE IN SECOND SPELL Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, August 4. The Springboks proved in their match with Manawatu to-day how a team can run up a big score by taking full advantage of the mistakes and defensive slackness of its opponents. Manawatu are not a strong provincial side, and when the Africans, playing against the wind in the first spell, finished with a margin of eight pointe only in their favour after Manawatu had had much the better of the play territorially, local hopes ran high. Those hopes were not fulfilled. With the wind behind them the visitors opened up the game, forwards linked up with backs, and the Manawatu defence wilted. The covering of the Manawatu backs, which had been sound and solid in the first spell, completely vanished after the interval and a regular sequence of tries, plus a field day for Gerry Brand, enabled the Africans to run up a tally of 39 points. A Close First Spell. . Led by their captain, R. M. McKenzie, the Manawatu forwards gave full rein to their virility in the opening spell. For a long period they had the Springboks penned in their own quarter, but, as in previous games on the tour, defence proved their strong point. The Springboks experimented by playing Lochner, their utility back, as scrum half, but the Manawatu forwards bustled him ilito errors and his passes to Harris were poorly directed and allowed the Manawatu breakaways to get up and check the activities of the African flyhalf. Very soon, however, Craven, who had commenced as centre-threequarter in place of Hofmeyer, exchanged places with Lochner and the African attack was immediately sharpened up. The Manawatu backs could not complain of any lack of the ball in the first half-hour’s play, and Edlin, their scrumhalf, gave them good- service, but every rush was ultimately smothered by the Africans, while if the Manawatu backs kicked the ball it usually landed into the safe hands of Brand. The Africans found it beyond them to force a passage through with their forwards and when their backs were in command their movements were mainly lateral. Their first visit to anywhere near the Manawatu line was not until 28 minutes had elapsed, and Brand opened their score with a penalty goal from the side-line against the wind, the ball just reaching its objective. Functioning much more solidly toward the close of the spell, the Springbok forwards camped on the Manawjitu line until Craven made the opening for Lyster s splendid try. Up till this stage the difference in the teams was represented by the Springboks accepting the two chances offered them, whereas Manawatu could not make the final thrust that would have rewarded much solid play by their forwards. among whom McKenzie. Fell. Williams. Powell and Newman were always prominent. Home Defence Wilts. It was a different story in the second spell. Two quick tries by the Africans appeared to have a demoralising effect on Manawatu. Their forwards caved in and the covering work of their backs suddenly vanished. The visitors; getting the ball almost whenever they wanted it, kept it moving, forwards linking up with backs in sweeping movements, and only forward passes or faulty handling prevented the score from rocketing. As the Africans’ tally of points mounted they , could afford lo take risks, and toward the finish of the game they had the home defence completely outwitted. It was only the sound clearing work of Edlini the half-back. Waldin, the fullback. and Wasley. tbr centre, that kept the total number of African tries to five in the second spell Bastard was ine outstanding forward for the Africans, and with his consistent play, in every game he must have now played himself into the Springbok team for the first Test. He received a bad kick on the mouth early in the second spell which laid him out for some minutes, but it did not affect his play, which was as vigorous at the finish as it was at the s tr rt. Fanie Louw, playing his first game in New Zealand, wap prominent in the rucks and materially improved the front-row play for the visitors. Harris Enterprising. Harris was active at fly-half once he got Craven m trout of him, and made some neat penetrative runs. He is a grand handler and the most enterprising of the African inside backs who have so far played on the tour. Bochner’s handling was erratic, but the other three-quarters. White, Lyster and Bester, were all solid, Bester showing too much speed for Buick. Brand was the essence of safety and had his best goal-kicking patch in New Zealand. 2.1 points coming off his boot. His potted goal from half-way was a magnificent kick. Waldin had a busy day at full-back for Manawatu. lie got in some good clearing work but was faced with several impossible situations, due to innocuous defence in the Manawatu five-eighths line. Edlin, the scrum-half, was the outstanding Manawatu back. He took everything the African forwards had to give him and it was no fault of his that better use was not made of the chances be gave his supports. Finlay, who played in the All Black trials as a front-row forward, was.chosen as first five-eighth and made a very fair attempt to fill the position, but little support was forthcoming from those behind him. The back play was aimless and unconvincing. The second half was bright and entertaining, but the play was never better than average provincial standard. VISITORS ENTERTAINED Motor Drive and Socials Dominion Special Service Palmerston North, August 4. This morning the Springboks were taken for a motor drive, and where the guests of the Manawatu Golf Club at morning tea. This evening they were tendered a dinner by the Rugby Union, and a number later attended the Kia Toa Rugby club’s dance. This morning “Boy” Louw and du Toit visited the Palmerston North Boys’ High School, and gave the first and second fifteens instruction in scrum formation and a talk on tactics. D. Craven, the vice-captain, last evening attended a meeting at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and addressed members on the ideals of true Christian citizenship. He said that the Rugby: field was a testing place for sportsmanship and citizenship. Craven originally intended entering the ministry, but on the 1931 tour of Britain he received an injury which affected his vocal chords, necessitating a change of plans. He is now teaching in one of the leading colleges in South Africa.