AUSTRALIANS BEATEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1936, Page 14

AUSTRALIANS BEATEN

SOUTHLAND'S RECORD

UNBROKEN

VISITING BACKS FAIL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, September 16.

Southland maintained its unbeaten record against Australian Rugby teams by beating the Wallabies 14-6 at Rugby Park. The weather was beautifully fine, and the ground was in good order for the match, which was watched by 6000 people. The game was bright, fast, and open.' The Australians threw the ball about whether on attack or defence. Southland was a much more solid team, however, and the visiting backs failed to make any impression on the sound defence. The Wallabies gained possession from almost every scrum and lineout in the first half, and the backs began passing rush after passing rush. It was early apparent that Southland had little to fear from these tactics, as the Australian inside backs never looked like penetrating. In the second half, when possession was equally divided, Southland was much more impressive as an attacking unit than the faster visiting team. The teams were:— • Australia.—X. P. Storey; A. D. McLean, J. D. Hammon, B. C. Egan, R. Rankin; L. S. Lewis; V. Richards; O. L. Bridle; F. E. Hutchinson, M. Ramsay, R. L. Kelly, K. S. Windon, J. H. Malone, A. H. Stone, R. J. Walden. Southland.—R. Sharp; Alex Sutherland, N. A. Mitchell, C. Milne; G. Thomas, M. Hamilton;. J. Purdue; T. Metcalfe; W. L. Crawford, R. Ward, N. R. Irwin, W. Parker; J. Mattingly, W. Sherriff, L. George. Play opened brightly, the Australian backs passing the ball from scrum to wings accurately, but with little gain. Southland then won a scrum and a dangerous run by Mitchell, the centre-three-quarter, was in marked contrast to Australia's diagonal attack. After 27 minutes Metcalfe broke through from a line-out and kicked ahead for Mitchell to gather the ball and score in the corner. Australia turned defence into attack and McLean carried on after a for-, ward rush. Though he appeared to be out he hurdled Sharp, the Southland full-back, and scored brilliantly in the corner. The half-time scores were Southland 3, Australia 3. Australia played with the sun and wind-in the second half. Five minutes after the start Mattingly kicked a penatly goal for Southland. The Australians appeared to be fading badly, and Purdue broke through from a scrum and passed to Sutherland, who scored. The visitors continued to throw the ball about with abandon and Hammon put in a spectacular run from half-way to the Southland line, where Richards dived short. However, Lewis varied his tactics by cutting through. McLean received at lhe end of the chain and ran round to score under the bar. The kick failed. Australia continued to provide bright passing movements, but the Southland, forwards were definitely better than the loose-playing Wallabies. Ten minutes from time Crawford, a prominent. Southland forward, broke up an Australian passing rush. Hamilton was in support, and passed to Mitchell, who was well tackled by Storey, but Thomas was in position to take a pass and score between the posts. Mattingly converted, and the game.] ended: '■'• Southland ■".: 14 "y Australia 6