FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1929, Page 3

FOOTBALL

WIN FOR. THE NORTH. CLEVER BACKS DECIDE ISSUE, (fly Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Se>t. 29.;’.The 17,00!) spectators who thronged the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon were ,well pleased with the standard of play produced in the annual trial of Rugby strength between the two Islands ,this game reverting to the International Rules.

The South. Island fielded a strapping lot of forwards, who dominated the play in the early stages, but the brilliance of the 1924 quartette—Mill, Cooke, Lucas and Porter—soon gave the North Island the mastery, and they eventually triumphed in a stirring tussle by 29 points to 20. The superiority of the North was demonstrated by the fact that they scored seven tries to two recorded by the South. STRANG’S SCORING BOOT. Brilliant place kicking was a feature of the game, Strang putting the ball over the bar five times for the South, and Heazlewood converting four tries for the North. ; Enthusiasts were present from many parts of both Islands. Direct kicking to touch from any part of the field certainly speeded up the play. The game was played at a fast clip throughout, but both sides -cept going right to the firiril bell. It Was to the-outstanding brilliance of their rearguard that v the North Island owed their'victory. The Southern team was '“'severely handicapped through the absence of a half-hack of class and dependability. < . THE TEAMS. North Island: Full-back, Heazlewood (Wellington) ; three-quarters, Elvy (Wellington), Lucas (Auckland), Minus (Auckland); five-eighths, Cooke (Wairarapa), Johnson. (Wellington); half-back, Mill (Wairarapa); rover, Porter (Wellington); hookers, Reid (Wairarapa), Finlayson (Auckland); lock, Steere (Hawke’s Bay) ; supports Campbell (Hawke's Ba3 T ), McLean (Taranaki) ; back row, Batty (Auckland), MoPhail (Poverty Ba3 r ). South Island : : —Frill-back, Harris (Canterbury);'-, three-quarters, McDonald (Marlborough), MoClymont (Otago) Olliver (Otago); five-eighths, Lilburne (Canterbury), ‘ Strang (South Canterbury); half-back, Holden (Southland): rover, Scrimshaw (Canterbury); hookers, A; Cottrbir (Canterbury), J. Burrows (Gutter bury); lock, Sontag '(Otago); sriprorts.;'Haylett (Southland) Stewart (South {jimt&imryYback-row. Freitas (West .Coast)i Snow. (Nelson). ; A bright sunVand 'southerly, windrdied up the ground. Trie conditions were quite good when plav commenced. Porter won the toss from Lilburne. and the North Island b.ad a helpful breeze behind them in tiie first spell, though the sun was in their eyes.

THE PLAiSw :

After strenuous , work |in .midfield,, Sonlag (.South) and McLean (North; put in some pretty dribbling., ->nll oliot out a long pass to Cooke, who, short punted, and the northerners swarmed on the line. Lucas secured at a'bout the quarter mar.., and he made a dazzling run through. the southern backs to score close to the posts. Heaz.ewood easily goaied. corth o, South nil. The Canterbury pair, Cottrell and Burrows, were liookirig from almost every scrum, but Lilburne and Strang did not handle well, and dropped passes. They lost some glorious opportunities. From some warm work about tne northern quarter, mark, Porter, when tackled, passed into touch, and was promptly penalised, Strang, landing a beautiful goal. North 5, South d. . v " .

Then followed a brilliant movement, which raised the crowd to great, eiitiiusiasm. Mill secured from a scrum*, ran to Lilburne, and handed to Johnson, who flashed between Lilburne and Strang, and got clean away. Cooke came up at top speed to procure the ball from Johnson, and raced over unde’r the posts. Heazlewood made no mistake with the kick. North 10, South 3.

A great kick by Harris placed the South on attack, and Si rang again .put the ball over the bar "when a northerner was caught offside. , North South 6. The whites were now going well, iiiey came at the line again, and with a bit of passing by Holden, Freitas and Snow, let the big Nelson forward over near the posts. To the surprise of everyone,- Strang failed with' the simpest of (kicks. North IQ, South. 9.rtSome exciting work was seen in the Southern goal mouth, till & penalty relieved, and the defenders' rushed back to the northern end, where a force came. Once more Mill 'broke away and Johnson handed on to Cooke, who swerved past MeClymont and allowed Finla.vson to score between the posts. This was ,a finished Aioyement. Heazlewood landed his third goal. North 15, South 9.

From a scrum, Scrimshaw and Stewart overwhelmed Mill, and the whites burst away and some brilliant passing, which saw half-a-dozen, short,-, sharp transfers, and a few lobs, before Strang went over near the posts. Strang kicked his fourth goal. North 15, South 14.

Elvy was nearly over in the corner just before the bell went for half-time.

SECOND? SPELL/

With the wind behind them, it was expected that the South Island would have the better of things. They started off with dash. Porter, Who was playing a great game, wriggled out of the clutches of an attacker and passed to Minns, who sprinted fast .and kicked ahead. The ball dropped soriie yards in front of Harris, and before the Canterbury full-back could gel!'to it, the s/cedy Cooke raced up and Whipped over the line to score between the posts. Heazlewood put over his fourth goal.—North 20; South 14. After a period of fast play in mid field, Porter Whs caught offside round the scrum, and Strang put over his fourth goal.—North 20; Sriiutli 17. The Northerners then rushed play over .the Southern line, and Lilburne put in a smart clearing kick. Tfc ball landed in Elvy’s hands and he side-stepped three men, and made ah amazing dive to score in the corner. Heazlewood made a brave attempt to convert froth the side line.—North 23; /South 17.

A great burst of cheering went up when (Strang landed a magnificent penalty goal from a few yards within the centre mark.—North 23, South 20. ' With victory in sight, the South Islanders clapped on the pace, but the Northerners danced too fast a tune. Dazzling reverse passing between Potter and Lucas ended up in the Auckland centre fending off a couple of defenders and scoring a brilliant try well out. Heazlewood this time made a weak attempt at goal.—North 26; ■South 20. The Northerners’ next try came from a neat bit of strategy between Mill and Porter. A scrum was formed near the side line in Northern terri tory. The Southerners were anxiously watching the open side, but Porter, as soon as the Northern forwards hooked the ball, ran round to the blind side and Mill popped the .leather into his captain’s hands as he passed. Porter scaled down the line and gave Minns a clear run in at the corner. Heazlewood failed at goal, and a stirring match, in which the standard of play had been uniformly high, ended with the scores reading: North Island 29 South Island 20 Mr S. Hollander, of Christchurch, controlled the game.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM. TO PLAY MAORIS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 29. The following team has been selected to represent New Zealand against the Maoris at Wellington on Wednesday:— Full-back: Heazlewood (Wellington ). 1 There,-quarters; Elvv (Wellington), Lucas (Auckland), Offiver (Otago). Five-eighths: Cooke (Wairarapa), Lilbunte- ’ ■. Mill. QA’airarapa); / n > . C.^Fdrfeards: Roverf i ‘G/ > ••• Gl - s '' Potter (Wellington) ; hookers'; ‘Cottrell (Canterbury) -and" Finlayson “(Auckland); lock, iE. R. Steere (Hawke’s Bay); supports, Hazlett ,‘(Southlands and Canmbell (Hawke’s Bay) ; back row. R. Stewart (South Canterbury) and McLean (Tarahaki). Emergencies; Back, L. Johnson (Wellington); : forward,. McPhail (Hawke’s Bay)’;

HAWKE’S BAY V. WANGANUI

.■--- DANNEVIRKE, Sept. 28 . The last, rep match in which Hawke’s Bay was engaged this season took place at Dannevirke Showgrounds to-day against Wanganui, in the presence of a big gathering. The game ended: Hawke’s Bay 35, Wanganui 3.

BULLER BEAT NELSON, BY 14 TO 8. WESTPORT, Sepember 28! Playing under excellent weather conditions, Buffer won| their first match this season, when they defeattecl the Nelson touring team by 14 to 8. Nelson, with the sun at their backs, were not long in opening their scoring account. At one stage they were leading bv 8 to nil; but by halftime Buffer had reduced their lead to 8 to 6. Playing with more dash in the second half,' Buffer had the better of the play, and put on 8 more points, Nelson failing to score. Lockey and Quinn played well foi Buffer, and Max, Garvin and Fowlet lor Nelson. For the winners, Quinn (2) and (Goodall scored tries, Graham converting one .aiid kicking a penalty , ancL for the losers, Thompson scored a try, which was converted by Garvin, who also kicked a penalty.