AFRICANS BEATEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21902, 21 December 1945, Page 6

AFRICANS BEATEN

SERVICES RUGBY

HARD-FOUGHT GAME

N.Z'S 9 TO 6 MARGIN (Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, Dec. 19 The New Zealand Services Rugb> team beat the Sixth South African Armoured Division by nine points to six at Richmond (two tries and one penalty to one try and one penalty), in a hard, evenly-fought game. The New Zealanders, the lightei and faster side, were always dangerous in the loose and in fast passing rushes. The heavier South African forwards dominated play during most ol the second half, but their backs were slow and uncertain and. instead ol passing, kicked for the corner flag or the line.

Not until D. H. Swanson went from bull-back to threequarters in the closing stages of the game did the South African backline have any punch in t but, fortunately for the New Zealand ers, 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 Arficans settled down. New Zealand opened the scoring with a spectacular try. They were pinned down on their own line. The South Africans heeled but could not hold the ball. Generous kicks relieved the New Zealanders Then M. Goddard and -) O'Hearn, following up fast, kicked ahead again and, Swanson, failing to hold the ball, Goddard kicked again over the South African line and in the race touched down. It was a complete reversal of fortunes in a matter o) half a minute.

Sterling Game By Johns

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 an opportunity to beat his man, touched down The New Zealanders were perhaps rather flattered by the score at this stage, but from now on they had to fight 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!”

When the New Zealanders became temporarily annoyed at having a jersey held there was a mix-up, followed by a penalty which allowed the South African Swanson, who previously had missed one or two possible kicks, to make sure of this one, and half-time arrived with the score at 9 to 3.

Springboks Keep Game Tight

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 or bodies and pegged down the New Zealanders on their own line. It seemed as though a score was 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 put through and took play well into the South Africans’ half. But the New Zealanders were soon sent back by a 60 yards kick to touch.

In the closing stages the game came the New Zealanders’ way again and they opened it with spectacular passing bouts. The 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. Ingpen outstanding. Dalton shone in particular. H. Kimberley maintained his reputation for solid defence.

The game was watched by General and Lady Freyberg, Major-General Kippenberger and the Kiwi team.

The teams were:— New Zealand. —Backs: 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, R. Dalton. South African. —Backs: D. H. Swanson, I. Frylinck, G. H. C. Smith, C. Moss, F. Kingwell, P. Stewart, I. Muller. Forwards: R. Holton, P. Duvenage (captain), A. P. Greeff, J. A. Morkel, J. C. Morkel, K. Botha, S. Fry, H. Swartz.