SPRINGBOKS WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1937, Page 3

SPRINGBOKS WIN

MATCH AT GISBORNE. (Per Press Association —Copyright). GISBORNE, Sept. 18. Scintillating rugby was seen at Disborne to-uuy wiien tbe springboks defeated the Com billed Poverty BayEast Coast-Bay of Plenty team by 33 points to 3. Brilliant sunshine, with a southerly breeze prevailed, and the hard ground proved to be to the visitors' liking. There was an attendance of about eight thousand. The Combined side started off a little nervously, and was down 18— ml at halt" time. In the second spell, they infused more vigor into their efforts, and receiving a better share of the ball, offered more f ormidable opposition t > ! the Springboks. The Springboks, however, were always on top, and their great speed and tricky movements at times left the Combined players standing. A feature of the game was the dour work of the home forwards, who never let up from start to finish. Babrow, Harris and Bester all gave outstanding displays in the Springboks back line, while Brand’s defence was impregnable, Wirepa any) Read carried the brunt of the home back attacks, while Davies after he had settled down, played Stirling football. THE PLAY. Davies kicked off for the Combined team in the face of the stiff breeze and the home -forwards rushed up, bustling tiie Springboks, but Harris drove them back with a line kick. Matthesou burst through, but Broodryk saved and followed up fast. Davies beating him nicely, ami finding the line. The green forwards broke away giving the ball out to the backs, and Bester made a fine run kicking infield, where Harris secured and crossed the line after three inmutes play. Brand converted. Springboks 5, Combined Team 0. The Springboks forwards got away and beat Davies but a knock-on spoiled the movement. Tile Combined pack was bustling de Villiers, but the green pack saved the position. Phillips was prominent in the Combined pack, and was catching the Springboks incessant ]y. Brand kicked too far with a liner, and, securing from a drop out attempted to field a goal from 40 yards out. the ball falling wide. The Springboks secured from a scrum, but the Combined forwards indulged in bustling tactics, and Read broke through; the scrum saving the visitors. Babrow broke away and was tackled bv Wi Repa, and a scrum was ordered. De Villiers secured, and sent the hall to Harris, who again crossed the line. Brand was unsuccessful with the kick. Springboks 8, Combined Team 0. M. W. Louw secured from a kick out, but was tackled by Phillips. Beste. secured and put in a fine mu before being brought down *b.v Wi Repa who was playing a Stirling defensive game. The combined team attacked but Brand repulsed with a fine line kick. From a penalty Davies gained 30 yards, bring ing play back to liali-way. South Africa secured from a lineout, the ball going to Babrow who made a tine run drawing Davies before transferring to Watt who scoied under the posts. Brand converted. Springboks 13, Combined Team 0. 'ifho Combined team again gained possession from a line out and Wi Repa kicked a fine liner. The game was halted while Rogers and Lockwood received attention, the latter hav.ng to leave the field. M. W. Louw made a line run from a line but, but was unsupported.,'.and from a further "line out, de Villiers set bis backs in action for Harris to secure and “dummy” Davies to go across under the posts for bis shird try. Brand improved the score by converting. Springboks 18, Combined Team 0. J Davies, fooled Strachan and Watt bad- j ly when they broke through following a line-out, hut he failed to find touch. Brand fielded the ball well and kicked into touch in goal. The Springboks suf fered from an epidemic of field goals. Brand having two attempts in quick succession, and then White faihng with mother.. ; From a drop out Brand secured and fooled Matheson and Ririnui badly, before finding touch, the Compiled team being awarded a penalty for iiie-out infringement. The Springboks pained possession from a line-out anil he ball passed through a chain of backs io Bester who showed a great turn of speed before being checked by Read. He massed infield to Harris who dropped ;he ball and a scrum was ordered. The mil was kicked back to Brand who ent it out of play. Half time was called with tlie score: Springboks 18, Combined Team o. Lockwood returned to the field and at the resumption. South Africa again ittacked. De Villiers from a line-out ;ot the backs in action. Babrow was iearly over, but was stopped by Read. Bester made an effort to get. -through. I but Read was again handy and brought l iim down. Bustling play by 4lie Com)ined forwards followed on. Davies sav'd in the face of a hot dribbling rush leaded by Vail den Berg, and Me Alien.v •ame round to relieve with a good line dck. South A trick was awttrdbd h pen-

alty well out, hut Brand’s kick was unsuccesslul, and V\ i Repa lorcecl. Brand made a lino dash and centrekicked for Bester to run up and cross the line untouched after selling beautiful dummies, to McAueny, Bead and Davies. His score under tbe posts was converted by Brand. Springboks 23, Combined Team 0. South Africa continued to press, and following a strong rush by Bester. Yan - D<?n Berg forced his way over the line for a good try. Brand converted. Springboks 28, Combined Team 0. Immediately following a drop out the Combined team were awarded a penalty and opened their account wlum Davies kicked a. goal from 40 yards out amid scenes of wild enthusiasm. Springboks 28, Combined Team 3. Encouraged b.v this success the Combined hacks with \Yi Repa-, Reedy and Read, broke away, but Babrow intercepted and burst through drawing Davies before passing on to Strachan win* had no trouble in £omg on to score under tlie posts, for Brand to convert from an easy position. Springboks 33, Combined Team 3. Combined secured from the scrum and Wi Repa made a brilliant dash but spoiled his good position by holding on too long. Another scrum way ordered and de Villiers shot the ball out to Babrow who burst through and gained for tv yards before being tackled by McAueny. In a counter-rush Read broke a wav with brilliance gaining thirty yards but hi s pass infield went astray. Babrow was injured by a heavy tackle but after receiving attention, continued playing. Tlie whistle sounded a few minutes later, the final score being: Sprinoboks 33, Combined Team 3. Interviewed after the game Phil Nel, the Springboks Captain, said tlio game had been a very hard one which had been played in a fine spirit. The conditions had been ideal, the ground being very fast, and it had well suited the Springboks style. Tim Combined team had put up a film performance and never once gave up the struggle, continued Nel. Their strength was in their forwards, and the pack played a- great game. The backs were forced to play a strictly defensive game, but on the few occasions on which they did attack, they showed plenty of thrust“Tt- was a grand game, played in the best spirit.” said F. .McAnenv, the captain of The Combined team. “We I were well beaten by a- superior team, but thoroughly enjoyed the game. I would like to pay a tribute to the sportsmanship of the Springboks.”