THE GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 75, 25 September 1937, Page 11

THE GAME

PLAY IN FIRST SPELL

The attendance when the game started was estimated at over 50,000. The teams, New Zealand being first out led by Ron King, were given a tumultuous reception when they took the field. The weather conditions were brilliant and the ground was not heavy. There was only a slight cross breeze. Bergh was in the back row of the Springboks' pack, dv Toit having pulled a leg muscle. Among those present was his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Galway. Winning the toss, South Africa played with the advantage of the sun. The game started at 2,19 p.m. A penalty kick shortly after the kickoff enabled Taylor to gain some ground for New Zealand, and South Africa won the first two scrums, from the first of which their backs got aw.--, but Taylor was not found wanting. Next time the New Zealand forwards broke quickly and the Springboks were unable to get under way. A penalty kick—a long shot—gave Brand a chance of opening the Springboks' scoring, but he was unsuccessful. About six minutes after the start Craven, from a scrum, set his backs in motion, the ball then going to Harris and Lochner, who made a nice opening for Babrow to score. Brand failed to convert. South Africa 3 New Zealand 0 Another bout of passing by the Springbok backs and then a good kick by Harris took South Africa well down into New Zealand territory, but Sullivan gathered in the ball well. The next incident of moment was an attempt at a ,"pot" from half-way by Trevathan; he ha!d no luck. The same player had another long shot at goal, this time from a penalty kick, but again he missed, and he also failed with a further attempt. So far the Springboks had shown superiority in the scrums and with this advantage the backs had been able to come into the picture and there had been some nice passing among them. The New Zealand backs had had really no opportunity to show their paces. When the ball came their way Trevathan usually put his boot to it. A shot at goal was taken by Brand from a penalty kick and he narrowly missed sending the ball over the bar. A splendid burst of passing by the Springbok backs was topped off by a cross-kick by Babrow, and Bergh dived on the ball for a simple try. Brand converted. South Africa 8 New Zealand ........ 0 Play- had been" in progress about 20 minute's, 'and with eight points against' them it was generally recognised that New Zealand, who-had not shown the form of the visitors, had a solid task ahead of them. New Zealand so far had done very little on attack.