BRITAIN’S NARROW WIN

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 June 1930, Page 3

BRITAIN’S NARROW WIN

SOUTHLAND DEFEATED. HARD GAME IN. MUD. (By Telegraph—Press Association). INVERCARGILL, Jim© 25. The British Rugby team defeated Southland; this afternoon by 9 points (two tries and a. penalty goal) to 3 (a penalty goal) after it closely-con-tested game which was of a forward nature. The attendance was estimated at about- .11,000. The ground was in such a state after rain lor several days that an exhibition of spectacular Rugby was outj of the question, as the ball soon became very heavy and greasy ,and difficult to handle with any degree of accuracy. Although the weather improved yesterday it became worse' to-day, and there were several heavy showers before the game commenced. However, the rant held off practically throughout the game, the exception being just at the start of' the second spell, when a particularly sharp shower was experienced. Despite the unfavourable, conditions the British backs gave fleeting glimpses of what they are capable of in the way of snappy passing bouts, but these were not frequent, and the game resolved itself into a battle between two flue packs of forwards. There was little to choose between the two vanguards, but the British held a slight advantage in the scrums. The visiting backs were given more, of the ball than the Southland rearguard, but frequently the ball did not get past Spongy who often preferred to kick or attempt to cut through rather than link up with his supports. Although the two full-backs did not have a great deal of solid tackling to do they were called on repeatedly to stop vigorous forward rallies, and in their work both came through with flying colours. In the first spell the Southland men had the sun at their backs, had the advantage of the wind, and did the bulk of the attacking, their efforts being rewarded with a penalty goal. Britain gained a try in this spell after a Series of rapid attacking movements. With the scores even at half-time it was thought that Britain with the wind behind it would score comfortably. but tile South landers contested every inch of ground, with the result that Britain was able to add only one more try and a penalty goal. The game was marked by numerous penalties, most of which were given against the British. Southland won the toss, and Britain kicked off facing the sun and wind. The ball went into' touch on the visitors’ side of half-way. The British backs obtained possession from the scrum l and indulged in a bout ot passing. The handling was very accurate, but no ground was gained. The visitors were then penalised and, the kick shifted play to the British 25. The ball was sent out to Jones-Dayies on the wing and: he kicked straight out at the twenty-five. Following the throw-in Britain was penalised again, and from a. fairly easy angle Diaok gcaled. Southland was soon back on the attack and heeled from a scrum at the twenty-five, but was penalised for an infringement, and play returned to midfield. Murray shot round the scrum but- was pulled down before going far. With a loose rush the British forwards invaded Southland’s territory, , hut Geddes cleared after a good run and kick to half-way. Bell provided a thrill by cutting off a pass from Murray to Spong, but he was not support- , ©d, and! had to lose possession by punt--1 ing. The move, however, had gained 1 some ground for Southland, whose backs showed out in a passing rush ' that broke down when Diaek was pulled down before making his transfer.

KICKS AT GOAL FAIL.

Southland was attacking -strongly and was a few yards from the British line. The visitors gained a slight advantage following a fine-out, but were penalised, a few moments later when Wilkinson was caught off-side. Diack just failed to goal. Murray again attempted to set the British backs an motion, but Spong ran into trouble when attempting to cut in. Another free kick was awarded Southland, and Diaclc had a. fruitless shot from near tile half-wav line.

Bell headed Southland; in a. rush to the British twenty-five, where the attackers were penalised. They came back again almost immediately, Bassett finding the line with a well-direct-ed kick. Again Britain was penalised for off-si die play, and Diack found the line inside the British twenty-five. Britain cleared to neutral ground, where from a| scrujn the backs gained possession amt went away in a bout of passing. The ball; went out to JonesDavies, who ran past the half-way line before being brought down. The British forwards were looking dangerous in a loose rush when a. timely line kick by Purdue pulled them up inside the twenty-live. From the line-out Farrell made a great break, but the British attack was brought to fruition when Peeve dashed across at the corner. Parker made a good, though unsuccessful, attempt to convert against the wind. Britain 3—Southland 3.

Southland made a rush to the visitors’ twenty-five and secured possession from a scrum, the pass being a poor one enabling the Britons to clear to less dangerous ground. There Britain was penalised, Diack\s kick at goal falling short. Beamish, Parker and Welsh showed out in a rush that took play to half-way, the respite being short-lived, as Southland was quickly back again. Just on half-time Southland was awarded a. free kick for offside play, but Porter failed to goal.

HEAVY SHOWERS OF PAIN

Neither side Jolt the field at halftime, and when the whistle blew for the resumption a heavy shower was falling. Fast following by Kendrew and Farrell saw Norris caught in possession, and tight play followed on Southland’s twenty-five. Pain and sleet were still pelting down as Britain vainly launched another offensive, through its hack division. Bell showed out in a. dribbling rush, and then Diack found the line at (lie British twenty-five. The backs on both sides were making efforts to throw the hall about, hut were finding it very difficult to handle. A likely movement on the ,Southlanders’ right wing raised the hopes of the crowd, but the de-| fence held ,and : in subsequent play the J British forced the attackers to halfway. A long ground kick was fielded I by Porter, who was caught in posses-1 siou ami penalised! by lying on the ball. The kick was taken by Parker from a fairly easy position, but the ball went outside the posts. The weather cleared, but there was still a strong wind. Britain held the advantage for a time, and when Murray sent a. pass to Spong the latter short-punted to a. gap. Diack, however, ran back, and gathering the ball well found the line just past the twenty-five. Bassett was doing good work for Britain his line-kicking beimr very accurate. A scrum infringement on the part of Britain gave Hazlett a

land, and; this was followed by a rush towards Britain’s twenty-five, Basse)t stopping the attackers. Play was mainly confined to the forwards, but was fairly fast, and at times exciting. The British backs swung into action following a line-out. The ball was passed along the chain to Jones-Davies, who dropped it on reaching the twenty-five. Southland was penalised, and Parker landed a, fine goal with the heavy ball.

Britain 6—Southland 3. Britain had played into a good position when Spong kicked through and found! the line inside the Southland twenty-five. The same player attempted to go through on liis own on receiving the ball from Murray, but lie did not get far. Southland was busy defending at this stage, and from a scrum 1/5 yards out Murray worked the blind side, passing to Spong and then to Reeve, who was held up in the succeeding play. Kendrew was awarded a try- in a handy position, Parker failing to. goal. Britain 9—Southland 3. Norris, the Southland full-back, was playing a sound game, and successfully repulsed a. British forward .offensive. The Southland vanguard then swept to past half-way, further ground being gained when Geddes booted into touch. The advantage was not held for long. Beamish breaking away and punting; towards the goal line* The ball just rolled over, and Norris had plenty of time to force down.

Wh en Knowles failed to take a pass from Spong the mistake was turned! to account by Bell breaking througih .and kicking on to half-way. Jones-Davies flashed down the left wing, but kicked too hard, the ball going over the deadline. The game ended with play in Southland’s ground, and the scores: Britain 9 —Southland 3. Mr G. Marston (Dunedin) was the referee. BRITISH TEAM MEMBERS AT HERMITAGE. TIMAR.U, June 25. Eight members of the British Rugby team who are spending a few days at the Hermitage, Mt. Cook, are enjoying splendid weather, which is affording them the opportunity of viewing the glacier regions at their best. Ail the members are greatly impressed with the grandeur of the Southern Alps.

NO TRIAL BEFORE TEST

DECISION OF UNION

CHRISTCHURCH, June 25

No trial match is to be played prior to the second Rugby Test at Christchurch oil July 5. This was decided upon by the New Zealand Rugby Union "to-night, when throe letter from the Ashburton Rugby Union concerning a trial match to he played by the All Blacks before the second Test were received.

The union appointed Mr A. J. Gedt!es (Southland) as manager of t'he All Black team for the second Test. C. G. Porter was again appointed captain. Mr Kingi Taliiwi, representative of the Maori Advisory Board on the New Zealand Union, has been appointed manager of the Maori team to play Britain in Wellington on July 9.

' COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL. TE AUTE BEAT WANGANUI. WANGANUI, June 25. Te Ante College first fifteen, holders of the Moascar Cun. defeated Wanganui Collegiate School to-dav by seven points to nil. Neither side crossed each other’s line, and an even contest was the result of School’s playing the most attractive game. Over all, however, the match foil below expectations. The Te Ante hoys were the heavier, but lacked the ‘life ‘of the

losers. The winning points were gained by J . liuru, who kicked a penalty and dropped a splendid field gaol. The second fifteens of the same schools played a curtain-raiser, Te Ante winning by six to nil. BEBBINGTON SHIELD MATCH. LAST-MINUTE VICTORY. DANNEVIRKE, June 25. Dannevirke defended the Bebbington Shield for the first time to-day since winning it. from Bush, Horowhenua being the challengers. Horowhenua was leading by one point with ihalf-a-minute to go. Dannevirke with a final rally scored a meritorious try which was converted, leaving Dannevirke victors by 14 to 10. Dannevirke’®- score consisted of four tries, one converted, and the losers’ of two tries, one by Stewart and one bv Tilley, the latter converting both. The scorers for the winners were Mills (two tries), Brogan and Crooks (one each), Vartan converting one. MID-WEEK PLAY. , SECOND ROUND CONCLUDED. The conclusion of the. second round of the Hawern. district Wednesday Rugby competition was reached yesterday when Whareroa defeated Fraser Road 18—0 at Hawera and City reversed the first round decision of its game with Olfangni and -scored an 11 —0 win. on the latter’s ground. The day’s play leaves the positions of the teams as follow:

Oil nilgai P. W. D. L. For Ag. Tl 6 5 — 1 45 31 10 City 6 5 — 1 122 17 10 Wliareroa ... 6 2 — 4 56 67 4 Fraser Roacl 6 — — 6 22 130 0