TOURISTS WEAKENED BY INJURIESWEST COAST TEAM BEATEN AT INVERCARGILL, 17-12

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1949, Page 10

TOURISTS WEAKENED BY INJURIES—WEST COAST TEAM BEATEN AT INVERCARGILL, 17-12

[SPECIAL REPORTER] INVERCARGILL, This Day—After leading 9-3 after.2o minutes, West Coast, weakened by injuries, was beaten by Southland Sub-unions by 17 points to 12 at Invercargill yesterday. In the second half the Southland backs and forwards showed greater enterprise, throwing the ball about with abandon, and the forwards gave the Coast pack a lesson in gaining possession from most of the scrums and line-outs. Southland deserved its win, but • Coast might have done a lot better had Lindbom been able to kick goals from some of the chances presented by penalties. Infringements by the forwards cost the tourists good scoring chances. The ground was very soft for the match after overnight rain, but the weather was fine. The attendance was about 3000. ' Injured List Grows The injured list of two mounted to six as a result of the match. Mathieson, Fraser, Fisher and Gillan retired hurt. Nelson and Muir were also hurt, but did riQt retire. At the end of the match the half-back, Richardson, was the only emergency left and it is possible that reinforcements will be required. The Coast forwards showed good form in flashes, with Hagen easily the best. Mathieson, Flynn and Nelson were the best of the others, with Eastgate showing up occasionally. ' Southland out-rucked Coast and dominated the line-outs and scrums. The Southland backs passed quickly and backed up and gave the Coast defence a torrid time. Actually the last two of the tries scored against Coast should have been prevented. Tainui again went well as the Coast half, while Fraser, replacing Walker at centre, did very well. Breeze’s display was below his usual form, though a solo effort just before half-time almost produced a try. Stoop marked his return to the team with a fine game, scoring two tries and staging determined runs. Lindbom was below his standard, but he overshadowed his opposite, Gorton, who has played for Southland. Hotop gave a clever, exhibition as the. Southland first five-eighth, while Woods, Anderson and Moynihan stood out in a fine forward pack. The West Coast team was: J. Lindbom; J, Gillan, E. G. Walker, M. Stoop; R. Breeze, C. Hunter; H. Tainui; M. Wells, K. Fisher, R. R. Eastgate; J. Woods, J. Hagen, J. Flynn, T. Mathieson; G. Nelson.

Scoring Movements Gorton opened Southland’s account wiili a. goal from a penalty, and shortIv afterwards Lindbom kicked a simi; lar CT oal to equalise the score. Tainui played the blind side, “dummied,” and kicked high. As Gorton x fielded the ball Stoop, following fast, took it from his arms and raced over for an easy try. Lindbom failed. Gorton was caught in possession in front of the

posts. Coast hooked and Breeze put til a short kick. Fraser collected the ball on the bounce and drew a tackler to send Stoop over wide out. Lindbom missed. Southland’s first try was an easy one. Southland heeled near the line. Halfback Smith sent a low pass to Hotop who raced under the posts without a hand being laid on him. Gorton converted. Lindbom mulled a kick and'the ball was kicked through and over the line, where Johnstone scored a simple try to give Southland the lead, 11-9, at half-time. ~ t Early in the second spell Woods kicked a goal from a penalty in front of the posts. There vzas no further scoring till close on time when. Anderson raced around the front of a line-out to score an easy try. Coast’s last points came on time, Wells scoring after Flynn and Eastgate had led a rush.