22 TO NIL

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1937, Page 5

22 TO NIL

SPRINGBOKS WIN In Blenheim Matdi NOT VERY IMPRESSIVE. HOME TEAM’S SHOWING GOOD. [Per Press Association]. BLENHEIM, August 18. If the touring Africans have not had the ground and weather conditions exactly to their liking in their six previous matches, Blenheim provided ample compensation to-day, with brilliant sunshine and a hard, fiery ground, on which they defeated, by 22 points to nil, the combination representing three Unions of Marlborough, Nelson and Golden Bay— Motueka. The Springboks scored six tries, two of which were converted. First Appearance in N.Z. Fielding seven of their test players, plus du Toit and Lawton, who were making their first appearance in New Zealand, after being on the injured list, the tourists revealed somewhat disappointing form, and had the combined team been blessed with a little more luck and ability in goal kicking, the margin of points would not have been what it was.

Victors’ Faults. The Springboks were definitely the superior side, but, all the same, they were not entitled, on their play, to win by the points they did, for the reason that they disclosed elementary faults in passing and handling that stultified much of their open attacks. The African Pack. The visitors had literally a feasGof the ball, their big forwards dominating the set scrums and line-outs. They showed their substantial weight advantage by winning 20 scrums to 7, taking an even number in each spell. In the line-outs, they started with long throw-ins to du Toit, who played largely a roving game, but Ims was not perservered with, and, for threequarters of the play, they followed their usual tactics of feeding the half-back, or taking the ball through in the loose. The touring forwards were well shaded where extra speed and mobility were in question. The combined vanguard kept the opposition bustled. The Springbok did not really settle down until the game was more than half over, by which time the handicap of a stone a man, under which the combined pack laboured, had taken its toll.

Combined Team’s Good Display. In a surprisingly sound resistance offered by the combined team, a feature was their excellent tackling, which, according to some of the Springboks, equalled the best defence that they have encountered. The forwards, particularly, distinguished themselves in this respect, and, as far as the backs were concerned, it was not until the last 20 minutes that the Springboks were able to find a passage down the centre, along which to pave the way for the tries they ran up towards the end. A good indication of the game to half-time was the score of eight to nil in favour of the Springboks. In this period, the combined team faced a strong sun, and they thrilled a crowd of 4000, which was satisfactory for a mid-week fixture, by relentlessly harrassing the opposition in loose charges. The Pressure On. When the Springboks got down to real business, well on in the second spell, however, there was no doubt about the result, and as to who were the better side, the last twenty minutes being devoted to slashing open attacks that brooked no opposition. In this period the Africans redeemed themselves in the eyes of the crowd. Pick of the Tourists. There were no changes in the team. Lotz and. du Toit were the pick of the Springboks’ forwards, with Watt and Nel a close second. Craven was outstanding in the backs, his celebrated dive pass delighting the crowd immensely. He was probably the best back on tne ground. Lawton established a reputation as a wing-three-quarter, who is very hard to stop, while Bester had a particularly good day, and well deserved his two tries. Turner disappointed by allowing himself to be bustled, and on the day he was far from safe.

Home Side's Best Men. In the home side, the captain, McLean, led the pack in a solid display, with McDonald, Craig and M. Woolley also well in the picture. Reid, at full-back, got' through a heavy afternoon with distinction, his fielding, tackling and kicking being beyond reproach. Mellish, the half-back, and Kotua, the first five-eighth, two ex-Maori All Blacks, figured in much enterprising play. There was a lack of constructive football in the play generally of the home side, and this is ascribed by the home captain, McLean, to a quite unnecessary feeling of inferiority. THE PLAY. The combined team tore into the tourists from the start, and for ten minutes, the Springboks hardly passed half-way. They then swept the fields but a series of back attacks consistently broke down, through forward passes. Mellish opened up play for the combined team, who attacked to the corner, and with 20 minutes gone, the Springboks were glad to get relief with a penalty. The Springboks twice missed opening their account, Turner failing with a penalty attempt and Lotz being stopped right on the line. Bad handling and keenness were spoiling the play. First Score. After 25 minutes had gone, du Tiit started a passing bout, the ball going from Watt to Bester, who threw himself over. Turner’s kick failed.— Springboks 3; Combined 0. The Combined forwards and backs swept unfield in a likely movement, which was smothered well inside the Springbok 25, where.Kotua missed a great chance, to equalise from a penalty kick. -■ A few minutes before the spell ended, ’ the Springboks stormed the Combined line, and the ball flash-

ed through the backs for Lyster to trot over and score. Turner converted the try. The half-time score was 8 to nil in favour of the Springboks. SECOND SPELL. The visitors were affected by the light of a declining sun in the sec md half, when Mellish and Kotua figured in initating a series of attacks, which kept the Springboks penned in their 25 for a full ten minutes. McLean here narrowly missed a penalty goal. The Springboks celebrated their escape, when Bester stab kicked to make a breach in the defence. Lystov knocked on near the corner, but, from a scrum, Craven shot for the line to score handily. Turner failed to convert. —Springboks 11; Combine! G. Combined Chances Missed. The Combined team had hard luck when, after driving the Springboks back into their 25, Kotua kicked a poster from a penalty. Good solo runs by Craven and Mellish maintained interest and the game was even. Brinsden now had a chance to goal, but he failed. Springboks Go To It. With half the spell gone,' Bester scored from a brilliant exhibition of swift chain passing. Watt missed with the kick.—Springboks 14; Combined 0. From this on, there was only one team in it. Craven ran, from a scrum near the line, to put van de Vyver over for an unconverted try.—Springboks 17; Combined 0. The Combined team retaliated solidly, and snappy back play saw Lunn actually cross the line, only to be recalled for an earlier infringement. Close on time Lawton with a 30 yards’ run, topped off the .most ..brilliant movement of the maten, commencing on the Springbok 25 and culminating in a try between the posts. Turner converted, making the final score: SPRINGBOKS 22 COMBINED ' 0 Mr A. Gordon, of Manawatu, refereed the match. Interviewed after the match, Nel, the Springbok captain, confessed to considerable displeasure at the team's performance, particularly the failure of good movements to materialise in tries. He admitted, however, that they could only be expected to play as well as the opposition would let them, and in that respect they had not been given altogether a free hand. Comment of Captains. Comment from another responsible Springbok quarter was that the team would need to play itself to the eradication of faults disclosed before encountering harder matches further south.

McLean declared himself delighted with the game played by the combined side, especially his forwards, who, he considered, gave the Springboks all they wanted until the extra weight told on their condition. He was highly pleased with the way that the referee kept up with the Springboks’ dashing back play. VISITORS’ STAY IN BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM, August 18. Relaxing after the strain and excitement of the first Springboks spent a quiet time since their arrival in Blenheim; in fact, at their own special request, they were left severely alone. Lvster and Lawton, whose profession is the law, were guests of the Marlborough Law Society last evening, at a dinner tendered to the Minister of Justice (Hon. H. G. R. Mason), on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new courthouse. This morning was devoted to a motor tour of the district. The tourists will leave by bus for Christchurch to-morfew morning. Air travel* was used extensively by visitors to to-day’s Rugby match. Exceptional interest in the Springboks was emphasised this morning when ten Wellington Rugby enthusiasts ar-' rived by air in a specially chartered Lockheed Electra liner to witness this afternoon’s game. They had a fast trip in perfect conditions. It was the first visit here by any of the Union Airways’ new American-built monoplanes. A special air liner also brought Nelson spectators, while regular air services were heavily booked. The air services yesterday had a busy time, a total of 82 passengers using the Woodbourne aerodrome, the majority passing between Blenheim and Wellington.

CANTERBURY REPS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 17. Because of illness and injury, J. G. Rankin and D. G. Cobden will definitely not be available for Canterbury’s match against the Springboks at Lancaster Park on Saturday. Rankin will be replaced at the side of the scrum by D. Whillans, and Cobden’s place on the wing will be taken by G. B. Eathorne. These definite changes were announced this evening by the sole selector, Mr W. J. Whitham. Canterbury is to lose yet another good Rugby player by transfer. D. Whillans, of the Athletic Club, one of the Canterbury side to meet the Springboks on Saturday, will soon leave for Auckland. A member of the police force, Whillans has been transferred to the detective staff at Auckland. One of a fine pack which has brought Athletic senior side into prominence in the matter of a few seasons, Whillans is outstanding for his dash and skill in loose rushes, and his performances for the province this season and last have marked him as a forward of exceptional promise. Still a comparatively young player, he should be of great value to Auckland.

OTAGO v. MANAWATU". A NARROW POINTS MARGIN. MASTERTON, August IS. The touring Otago Rugby team narrowly defeated Wairarapa by 8 to 6 in a bright game this afternoon. The Wairarapa forwards dominated the play for nearly two thirds of the game, but the visitors’ speedy becks being always dangerous.' Otago led by 5 to 0 at the interval. Grant and I. Mahoney scored for Otago, Bolton converting a try, Holland scored for Wairarapa, and Percy kicked a penalty.