SOUTH AFRICANS DOWNED

Evening Star, Issue 25672, 21 December 1945, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICANS DOWNED

N.Z. SERVICES' HARROW WIN HARD AND EVEN GAME (K.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) LONDON, December ID. New Zealand Services beat the Sixth .South African Armoured Division by 9 points to 6 at Richmond (two tries and one penalty goal) to one try and one penalty goal), in a hard, evenly-fought game. The New Zealanders, the lighter and faster side, were always dangerous in the loose and fast passing rushes. The heavier South African forwards dominated play in most of the second half, but their backs were slow and uncertain, and instead of passing kicked for the corner flag or line. Not until D. H. Swanson went from full-back to three-quarters in the closing stages of tlio game did the South African back line have any punch in it, but fortunately for the New Zealanders, this change came too late. SPECTACULAR TRY. 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. TJjey were pinned down ou their own line. The South Africans heeled, hut could not hold the ball. Generous kicks relieved the New Zealanders. Then M. Goddard and J. O’Hearn, following up fast, kicked ahead again. Swanson failed to hold the ball, and Goddard kicked over the South African line, and in a race touched down. It was a complete reversal of fortune in a 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 6 points in 12 minutes, and a flow of people began to issue from the stands. , The New Zealanders’ third and iinal score came when a pot at goal went wide and I. Botting, seizing the opportunity, beat his man to touch down. The New Zealanders, perhaps, were rather flattered by the score at this stage, hut from now on they had to ficdit hard to retain their lead. The South Africans had many chances', but they failed to make any penetration against the 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 of delight from the South African spectators, and increasing cries of' “Boks! Boks!”

HECTIC INTERLUDE. When a New Zealander became temporarily annoyed at having his jersey field, there was a mix-up followed by a penalty allowed 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 at 9-fl. 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 Hue. It seemed that a score must be inevitable, but the New Zealanders stood up to the heavy pack courageously until in good time they were able to open up the game again. Then Goddard, who had always been the spearhead of the oifence. made a brilliant cut-through and took play well into the South Africans’ half. But the New Zealimders were soon sent back by a 60yards kick' to touch. In the closing stages the game came the New Zealanders’ way again .and they opened it up with spectacular passing bouts. Tne South Africans’ try came three minutes before time, when Swanson cut clean through and J. C. Morkel went over in the corner. The New Zealand pack as a whole played fine football, with- R. Dalton and M. Tngpen outstanding. . Dalton shone in particular. H. Kimberley maintained his reputation for solid defence. The game was watched by Lieuten-ant-general Sir Bernard Freyberg and Major-general H. K. Kippenberger, and the Kiwi team. The teams were:—

New Zealand: H. Johns, J. O’Hearn, H*. Kimberley, M. Goddard. I. Botting. C. Geary. H. Stewart; forwards —C. Hardie, M. Ingpen, C. Porter. G. Henderson (captain), M. Henderson, K. Rankin, B. Goldsbury, E. Dalton. South Africa: D. H. Swanson, I. Fry-, linck, G. H. C. Smith, C. Moss. F. Kingwill. P. Stewart. I. Muller; forwards—lt. Holton, P. Duvenage (captain), P. Greoff, J. A. Morkel, J. C. Morkel, K. Botha. S. Fry. H. Swartz.