NORTH v. SOUTH.

Feilding Star, 4 June 1907, Page 2

NORTH v. SOUTH.

t£BB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, June 3. The match between North and South Island was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon in fine weather, and before a crowd numbering between six and seven thousand. The game was strenuously contested throughout, but once play had settled down, it was apparent the North were a better team, and South Island never looked like winning. The Northern backs showed much better combination, and played with more dash than their opponents, whose efforts were more or less spasmodic. South Island forwards did some good work, but they were not well supported by their backs, and though they were more successful in their hooking than the Northerners, they gained no advantage from this, for the smartness of the North Island backs quickly re- ; tneval tHe position, and the defence was turned into attack with lightning like rapidity. The opening stages of the game were . indecisive, but North Island quickly' got to work, and a very strong attack was set up. Denas intercepted a pass, and passed to Dansey, who was well tackled by Mitchinson. From a hot at goal by Turtill the North Islanders were forced. From this out the Northerners had much the better of the game. Their passing was very frequently forward, and this fact alone prevented the score S c fom being considerably larger. Finally a brilliant rush took place in which practically all the North backs had a hand. Hunter got over at the corner, G, Spencer failing to add with the kick at goal. This was the only score at half-time. In the second spell, the North still • held the upper hand, and it wife rarely that the ball reached the# 25's. The only occasion in which jAe South looked really dangeroub was when Fryer kicked high and 6. Spencer failed to take the ball. A Canterbury player had followed up fast, but overran the ball. Hunter relieved by souud kicking. The North backs took the play to the South goal line, and after a hard forward struggle Bailey scored. Wallace converte dthe try. In the closing stages of the game the South backs had one or two changes, but their hauling of the ball was faulty. Just on the call of time North were attacking again, and Roberts made an opening for Wilson, 'who scored and easy try. Wallace failed with the kick at goal, and time was called with the North winning by eleven points to nil.