FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1937, Page 5

FOOTBALL

SPRINGBOKS WIN OTAGO BEATEN 47 TO 7. (Per Press Association—Copyright). DUNEDIN. September 11. A brand of rugby hitherto unknown in Otago was turned on at Carisbrook this afternoon when the Springboks put up their record score of the tour in do tenting Otago by 47 points to 7. The attendance was about 30,000. Conditions wore ideal and probably the best the Africans have experienced during the tour of New Zealand. The faintest of breezes blew across the field. The sun was obscured by a cloud and the ground was hard and fast; in fact the dust rose freely from many parts, the atmosphere was almost unpleasantly warm also to the Springboks liking, and the brilliant display' of the visiting hacks and forwards more than compensated for any feeling of regret on the part of local enthusiasts that Otago suffered the severest trodnehmg ever administered by an overseas team.

Heavy massed play by forwards fast breaking through at the faintest opening, and big rucking men handling and running like backs were features of the visitors forward play.

The dazzling passing movements by the backs were a revelation. It was a, combination of pace, intense backing up and sure handling, such as has probably never previously been seen in Dunedin and this was fortified by long accurate line kicking.

Brand was outstanding and revealed himself as a wonderful fullback and his value as a goal kicker was demonstrated by the fact that 18 points came from his boot; six conversions out of seven attempts, and two penalties. His only failure was when the ball narrowly missed the posts from a try at the

corner. - Otago forwards put up a game figlil . especially in the scrums and lino outs in which departments they were no , shaded to any great extent. Laney hook [ ed well against his formidable oppon out Ootz, and he and Quaid and Park , hill, were the outstanding trio in th ) Otago pack. ; Simon played well behind the scrun ; and Trevathan used his hoot effective - ly, registering a penalty goal and f smart field goal. The half time scon was 13 points to seven in favour of th< Springboks, whose scores consisted ol three tries (two converted). In the second spell; five more trie; were registered (four converted), am two penalties by Brand, one from 4! yards out; and two field goals, one eacl by Hofmeyr and Turner, the latter’: from near the side line. Otago’s defence in the second- hal wilted under the sustained pres.sun of the African's whose scintillating passing bouts appeared at times tc have a demoralising effect on the op position. It was not that the Otagi backs shirked tackling, but that thej were outpaced and outgeneral led by the speed thrust and backing of the Springboks’ rearguard. Craven’s dive pass was much in evidence and the hall found safe lodgment in hands of van de Yvver. Hofmeyer and Babrow were wonderful connecting links, with the speedy wings Oyster and Turner, the last named in particular, revealing rear international class. In an even pack van Reenen, Du Toit, van den Berg, and Bastard were perhaps the pick. The teams wore as telegraphed, except that van dor Yvver played instead of Loch nor, and Oyster replaced Williams. For South Africa, Babrow, Bastard, Turner, Du Toit, I.otz, van Reenen, and Oyster scored tries. Brand converted six and kicked two penalties. Hofmeyr and Turner annexed potted goals. THE PLAY DESCRIBED. Otago kicked oiff. Rucking play in ' midfield followed and Otago was awarded a penalty near half way. Trevathan missed. A few minutes later Trevathan goaled with a great kick from a penalty for off-side play 50 yards out, and on an angle. The Africans were l spurred on by the reverse and attacked strongly, out solid rucking bv the Otago forwards and good kicking by Taylor and Trevathan, drove the visitors back. Van Reeuan broke away brilliantly from a line-out. He was tackled by Trevathan who passed to Du Toit, who sent to Babrow, the last-named going over in a, handy position for a fine try. Brand goaled. Taylor twice misfielded, resulting in dangerous situations on each occasion, Trevathan and Simon returning well to save. The dash and fire of the Otago forwards at this period was matching the Springboks’ weight advantage. "Van Reonan retired for a short period to have an injured hand attended to. Following brilliant passing, Babrow centred and then f)u Toit made a dashing run, Simon’s solid defensive work relieving the Otago line on each occasion. The Springboks attacked strnoglv and when R. Mahoney fumbled, Ras- 1 tard went over in the arm.s of several defenders for a try near the corner. Brand’s kick went outside the uprights

South Africa 8, Otago 3. I Trevathan missed a long shot at goal from a penalty for a serum infringement. Xoiper and Laney headed a great rush when a Springbok attack broke down, and from their own line the visitors started passing which ended in Turner galloping over for an easy try under the posts. All the hark line had handled in a movement which sproadoagled the Otago defence. Brand goaled.

I South Africa 13, Otago 3. Passing in fine style from all positions, the Springboks attacked strongly, Taylor twice saving with solid tackling, Craven cutting through from a scrum kicked over the line, and a race between Mahoney and Babrow ended in favour of the former, Trevathan put Otago on attack with a long kick to the corner but a penalty for a scrum infringement relieved the pressure on the Springbok line. Torrid work in the forwards earned the displeasure of the crowd. Parkhill, Quaid, and Laney headed a loose rush that carried play to the African line where a penalty again brought relief. Babrow and Lyster staged a passing bout right up the sideline. Babrow kicked over the lme and in the race missed a try by reason of what appeared to be obstruction on the part of Werner, j Parkhill broke away brilliantly, and following resulting loose play, Trevatlian potted a fine goal from the 25 line, just before half-time. South Africa 13, Otago 7. Otago staged their first orthodox passing bout- early in the second spell. The ball went out to Werner, who threatened danger until upended bv Turner. Taylor found the line at the African 25 line, and from a line-out Trevathan potted unsuccessfully. The ball shot out to the wing where Werner knocked on to spoil a likely chance. Otago were awarded a penalty on the 25 line, but Trevathan missed with the kick. I Brand’s great touch finding put the ' Springboks on attack for the first time, in the spell and following a dazzling passing rush Turner set sail for the line only to be solidly grassed by Werner. Pretty in and out passingTn which du Toit figured prominently tested Otago’s defence. Craven broke through and snappy passing among the forwards ended in du Toit scoring under the posts for Brand to goal. South Africa 18, Otago 7. The Otago defence was again pierced when Lotz gathered in a dropped pass to brush off a tackier and scored in a handy position. Brand goaled. South 'Africa 23, Otago 7. Taylor twice earned applause with fine line kicking. Du Toit intercepted a pass near half-way, and Lotz and van Reennn joined in a passing rush, which ended in the last-named going over In the arms of several defenders for a fine try near the goal posts. Brand made no mistake. South Africa 28, Otago 7. Hofinevr increased the quickly mounting total a few minutes later, when receiving the ball from a loose scrum on the 25 line, he potted a great goal.

South Africa 32, Otago 7. A sweeping forward rush by the Africans was stopped by Taylor, who gatnered in the ball brilliantly on his own line. Brand placed the visitors further ahead when lie kicked a goal iTom a penalty 50 yards out. South Africa 35, Otago 7. Otago were now almost completely outplayed. Babrow missed a pot at goal, but Turner shortly afterwards receiving the ball on the sideline ran infield a little and potted a magnificent goal.

South Africa 39, Otago 7. Otago took a now lease of life when Murray cut through and wore then awarded a penalty for scrum infringement 30 yards out. Taylor kicked from an angle and narrowly missed. Murray brought off a splendid tackle to upend Turner when he was all set for a try. Babrow made a dashing run arid then from a penalty near the posts Brand goaled easily. South Africa 42, Otago 7. Turner brushed off a tackle in a run down, the line. The ball was swung to the other flank in a. brilliant movement. Van de Yyver, Babrow. and Lyster handled for the lastnamed to cut past two defenders for a try. Brand (converted, and the game ended : South Africa 47, Otago 7.