SOUTH’S LAST-MINUTE WIN OVER NORTH AT AUCKLAND

Grey River Argus, 10 May 1948, Page 7

SOUTH’S LAST-MINUTE WIN OVER NORTH AT AUCKLAND

P.A. AUCKLAND, May 9. The South Island deservedly defeated North Island by 21 points to 18 in a Rugby League match which served as the final trial for the selection of the New Zealand team to tour Australia. South scored three tries, all of which were converted, and three penalty goals, lo four tries, three of them converted. There was an attendance of about 15,000. The principal factors in the South Island victory were the powerful forwards, who outmatched the North pack in the loose, and the chain of strong defensive backs who held the dangerous North Island back line •in check for most of the game. The tackling towards the end was severe, and there • was a strong, tendency for play to be marred by roughness, particularly in the scrummages. The number of penalties awarded by the referee, Mr J. Griffen, of the West Coast, checked, but did not stop the fighting in the front row each time the scrum was formed. AYNSLEY’S GOOD PLAY North Island had the better of the first spelL leading by 15 points to 9 at half time. The South Island backs were at fault on attack, in too often merely passing the ball to one another, without attempting to' make ground. As a result, the advantage of possession from the scrums gained by Aynsley for South over his fellowKiwi, G. Davidson, was nullified. South scored first when J. Soster (West Coast) the full-back, kicked a penalty goal, but North, soon took the lead when Hambleton forced his way over and Clarke converted. Soster again kicked a penalty goal, but North went further ahead when Graham cleverly back-handed a pass to Wiles, who changed direction and put Davidson in for a try, which Clarke converted. Newton, who was always prominent in the South pack, made a strong burst in mid-field, and the bail went out to J. Forrest on the wing, and back to Henry, who scored. Just before the spell, Laird, Graham, Johnson, Hurndell and Redmond took part in a movement which ended with Redmond going over at the corner. Clarke converted with a fine kick. North went further ahead straight after the interval, when Hurndell, about the outstanding forward on the field, went over at the corner. The South forwards then made a raid, and Allom, the centre three-quarter, chimed in to score after Hall, who had replaced Wiles, failed to gather a cross-kick. Soster converted. North 18; South 14. The referee was penalising North frequently, and Soster was given three shots in a row at goal. He missed each, but the fourth time he was successful. WILLING PLAY Play became very willing, with South Island making desperate attempts to score. McKenzie, alter much good play on the wing, smartly followed up’ a kick through the broken North Island back line, and beat Clarke for the ball. He kicked ahead, brilliantly picked up the ball in full cry, and broke through Clarke’s tackle to score. Soster converted. North tried hard to score before the end of the game, but the fitness of the southern team met ail demands. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. To-day’s League results were: — Senior: Christchurch 24, Hornby 5; Sydenham 20, Prebbleton 5. Senior Reserve: Watersiders A 7, Celtic 0. Senior B Grade: Linwood 28, Addington 11; St. Joseph’s 18, Dallington 2. WELLINGTON, May 8. Senior: Miramar 36, Te Aroha 15; Waterside 9, St. George 9; Marist 25, Korodale 7.