BEATEN BY N.Z. SERVICES

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 148, 20 December 1945, Page 9

BEATEN BY N.Z. SERVICES

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TEAM Rec. 10.45 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 19. The New Zealand Services Rugby team beat the South African 6th Armoured Division by 9 points to 6 at Richmond, giving New Zealand a small margin of precedence over the other Dominion teams in Britain. The score might have been higher, but the New Zealanders, who were superior everywhere except in the set scrums, were handicapped by the greasy conditions. The Australian Air Force Rugby team is not now leaving England until the middle of January, and the team hopes to arrange a return encounter with the New Zealand Services team, with which it drew in the sole previous encounter. The Australian team also drew with the South Africans.

WINNERS TOO FAST

"BOKS" LACK PENETRATION

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) Rec. 12.45 p.m. •■ LONDON, Dec. 19. The New Zealand Services side beat the Sixth South African Armoured Division by 9 points to 6 at Richmond, two tries and a penalty goal to a try and a penalty, in a hard evenly-fought game. The New Zealanders, a lighter, faster side, were always dangerous in the loose and in fast passing rushes. The heavier South African forwards dominated play for most of the second half, but their backs were slow and uncertain, and instead of passing, kicked for the corner flag or the line. Not until D. H. Swanson went from full-back to the three-quarter line in the closing stages of the game did the South African back-line have any punch in it, but fortunately for the New Zealanders this change came too late. The game began in a light drizzle which made the ball difficult to handle, and it was some time before the South Africans : settled down. New Zealand opened the scoring with a spectacular try- They were pinned down on their own line, and the South Africans heeled but could not hold the ball. Penalty kicks relieved the pressure, then M. Goddard and J. O'Hearn, following up fast, kicked ahead again. Swanson failed to hold the ball, Goddard kicked again over the South African line, and in a race touched down. It was a complete reversal of fortunes in the matter of half a minute.

The next score came from a penalty by H. Johns, who played a sterling game throughout. The New Zealanders were up six points in 12 minutes. The New Zealanders' third and final score came when a pot at goal went wide and I. Botting, seizing the opportunity, beat his man to the touch down. FLATTERING SCORE. The New Zealanders perhaps were rather flattered by the score at this stage, but from now on they had to fight hard to retain the lead. The South Africans had many chances but they failed to make any penetration against firm tackling. They now began kicking regularly for the line, which, though'it gained them ground, brought no other profit. The sun filtered through the clouds and there were cheers from the South African spectators and increasing cries of "Boks! Boks!" When a New Zealander became temporarily annoyed at having his jersey held there was a mix-up, followed by a penalty allowed to the South Africans. Swanson, who had previously missed one or two possible kicks, made sure of this one, and half-time arrived with the score: New Zealand 9, South Africa 3.

The second half opened with straggly play and with the South Africans intent on keeping the ball among the forwards. For a quarter of an hour they bottled it up in a solid mass of bodies and pegged down the New Zealanders on their own line. It seemed as though a score must be inevitable, but the New Zealanders stood up to the heavier pack courageously until in good time they were able to open up the game again. Then Goddard, who was always the spearhead of the offence, made a brilliant cut through and took play well into the South Africans' half, but the New Zealanders were soon sent back Iby a 60-yard kick to touch. In the closing stages the game came the New Zealanders' way again, and they opened it up with spectacular passing bouts. The South Africans' try came three minutes before time, when Swanson cut clean through and J. C. Moi-kel went over in the corner. The New Zealand pack as a whole played fine football, with R. Dalton and M, Ingpen outstanding. Dalton shone in particular. H. Kimberley maintained his reputation for solid defence at centre. The game was watched by General and Lady Freyberg, General Kippenberger, and the Kiwi team. The teams were:— New Zealand: H. Johns; J. O'Hearn, H. Kimberley, M. Goddard; I. Bolting, C. Geary; H. Stewart; C. Hardie, M. Ingpen, C. Porter, G. Henderson (captain), M. Henderson, K. Rankin, B. Goldsbury, R. Dalton. . South Africa: D. H. Swanson; I. Frylinck, G. H. C. Smith, C. Moss, F. Kingwill: P. Stewart, i! Mullev: R. Holton, P. Duvenage (captain), A. P. Greefr, J. A. Morkel, J. C. Morkel, K. Botha, S. Fry, H. Swartz.