PLAY DESCRIBED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 70, 20 September 1937, Page 17

PLAY DESCRIBED

VISITORS' SUPERIOR SPEED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

GISBORNE, September 19.

Scintillating Rugby was seen at Gisborne yesterday when the Springboks defeated the combined Poverty Bay, East Coast, and Bay of Plenty team by 33 points to 3. Brilliant sunshine with a southerly breeze prevailed, and the hard ground proved to be to the visitors' liking. There was ail attendance of about 8000,

Davies kicked off for the Combinod Team in the face of a stiff breeze, and the home forwards rushed up, bustling for Harris to drive them back with a line kick. Matthewson burst through, but Broodryk saved and followed up last. Davies beat him nicely and found the line. The South African forwards broke away, giving the ball to the backs, find Bester made a fine run, kicking infield, where Harris secured and crossed the line after three minutes' play. Brand converted. Springboks 5, Combined, Team 0. The Springbok forwards got away and beat Davies, but a knock-on spoiled the movement. The Combined pack was bustling de Villiers, but the Springbok pack saved the position. Phillips was prominent for the Combined forwards. Brand kicked too far with a lino kick, and later securing from a drop-out, attempted a field goal from forty yards out, the ball falling wide..

HARRIS SCORES AGAIN,

The Springboks secured possession from the serum, but the Combined forwards indulged in bustling tactics and Read broke through, another " scrum saving for the visitors. Babrow broke away and was nearly over, but was tackled by Wi Repa and a scrum was ordered, tie Villiers secured and sent the ball to Harris, who again crossed the line. Brand W6s unsuccessful with the kick. Springboks 8, Combined Team 0. t, M. W, Louw^secured from a kickout but was.tackled by Phillips, Bester then gained possession and put in a fine run before being brought down by Wi Repa, who was playing a sterling defensive game. The Combined Team attacked, but Brand repulsed it with a fine line kick. From a penalty Davies gained thirty yards, bringing play back to half-way. South Africa secured from a line-out, the ball going to Babrow, who made a fine run, drawing Davies before transferring to Watt, who. scored under the posts. Brand converted. Springboks 13, Combined Team 0.

The Combined Team again gained possession from the line-out and Wi Repa kicked a fine line kick. The game was halted while Rogers and Lockwood received attention, the latter having to leave the field,

M. W. Louw made a fine run from a line-out, but was unsupported, and from a further line-out de Villiers set his backs in action for Harris to secure and dummy Davies and go across under the posts for his third try. Brand improved the score. Springboks 18, Combined Team 0.

Davies beat Strachan and Watt badly when they broke through following a line-out, but failed to find touch. Brand fielded the ball well and kicked into touch-in-goal. The Springboks made several attempts to kick field goals. Brand had two attempts in quick succession, and then Whita failed With another from a drop-out.

Brand Secured and beat Matheson and Ririnui badly before finding touch. The Springboks gained possession from a line-out, and the ball passed through the chain of backs to Bester, who showed a great turn of speed before being checked by Read. He passed infield to Harris,'who dropped the ball, and a scrum was ordered- The ball was kicked back to Brand, who sent it out, and half-time was called with the score Springboks 18, Combined Team 0. • ■ .

Lock Wood returned to the field on the resumption. South Africa again attacked and de Villiers, from a line* out, set the backs in action. Babrow was nearly over, being stopped by Read. Bester made an effort to get through but Read Was again handy and brought him down. Bustling play by the Combined forwards followed until Harris intercepted a pass and sent on to Bester, who knoeked-on.

dribbling rush headed by van den Berg. McAneny came round to relieve With a 'good line kick. South Africa was awarded a penalty well out, but Brand's knick was Unsuccessful, "and Wi Repa forced.

COMBINED TEAM SCORE.

Brand made a fine dash and centrekicked for; Bester to run up, secure, and cross the line untouched, after beating "McAneny, Read, and Davies. His score under the posts was converted by Brand. Springboks 23, Combined Team 0.

South Africa continued to press, and following a strong rush by Bester, van den Berg forced his way over the line for a good try. Brand converted. Springboks 28, Combined Team 0. Following a drop-out the Combined Team was awarded a penalty, and opened its account when Davies kicked a goal from forty yards out. Springboks 28, Combined Team 3. Encouraged by this success, the Combined backs, with Wi Repa and Read prominent, broke away, but Babrow intercepted and burst through, drawing Davies before passing on to Strachan. The last-named had no trouble in going on to score under the posts. Brand converted. Springboks 33, Combined Team 3.

The Combined Team secured from a scrum and Wi Kepa made a brilliant dash, but held on too long. Another scrum was ordered, and de Villiers shot the ball out to BabroW, Who burst through and gained forty yards before being tackled by A. McAneny. In a counter rush Read broke away, gaining thirty yards, but his pass infield went astray. Babrow was injured by a heavy tackle, but after_ receiving attention continued playing. The ivhistle Went a few n.inutes later, the final score being Springboks 33, Combined Team 3.