BRITAIN’S RUNAWAY VICTORY AGAINST SOUTH AUCKLAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7295, 4 August 1930, Page 7

BRITAIN’S RUNAWAY VICTORY AGAINST SOUTH AUCKLAND

Per Press Association. HAMILTON, Last Night. In a sparkling game in which ihef visiting backs dominated play through-! out the major portion of the contest,! Britain defeated the combined Waikato-j King Country-Thames Valley represen-1 tatives at Rugby Park by 40—.10. There was only one team in it in the first spell when Britain led 24—5, but on resumption Combined infused more dash into their work and up till mid-way through the second half had Britain defending strongly. The local backs opened out and with a. determined forward pack treated the terraces to some bright exchanges. It was not; until a flew minutes before time that the fast pace set began to tell to let the visitors through for a succession of three trios. The crowd was a record one in Hamilton Rugby circles and was estimated at over 12,000. Murray was smart behind tho scrum. Spong, whilo pleasing the crowd with many dazzling runs, was at times erratic in his passing. Bowcott was a reliable man at all times and probably the best of' the Britishers. Aarvu'ld rose to his heights on occasions, wlr.lc Novis and Reeve, the wing men, showed their paces oil several occasions. Whilo not a Bassett, Bonner, who substituted the latter at full-back, was generally pretty safe. The forwards were a line lot with O’Neill, I*arrcll, and Beamish always toiling hard, while Ivor Jones was a specialist in flic loose. Both he and Black showed their value by goal-kicking. The local side While well outclassed in the first spell, played effectively for the greater part of tho second half. The passing they attempted invariably lacked penertation. They were an even lot with Allen and Mitchell the best of them. Tho forwards gave a good account of themselves, especially in the line-out. They were dashing at at times, but the speed of the opposing backs bothered them. Storey, Hooper and Reynolds were the pick of an even lot. The home side kicked off, but the visitors were soon on flic offensive and Murray scut Reeve away, but the winger was soundly tackled. 'Spong then opened up and from an infringement in a handy position, Black landed a fine goal within 3-1 minutes of play. The visitors kept up tho attack, making good use of tho line. They had the homo side defending solidly. From a scrum a bad pass by Spong allowed St. George Lo break through and reverse the position. A pot shot by Bonner went wido and Mitchell relieved when ho kicked to touch. The visitors’ rearguard swung into action, Spong, Bowcott, Aarvold and Novis handling for the winger to go over in the corner: Britain 8 Combined 0

Play had been iu the visitors’ favour up to this stage, the ball anchoring iu the homo twenty-five. The next points came when Novia flashed down the line to pass infield to Ivor Jones, who went over unopposed. Black added the extras: Britain .. .. fl Combined 0 The speed of the British rearguard had the defence iu trouble. The home forwards broke away several times, but Bonner was on his game and he let little past him. The visitors were again within striking distance and from a smart kick by Aarvold and from a penalty in tho twenty-five Ivor Jones increased' tho British tally: Britain .. .. H Combined 0 The Combined forwards forged down

40—16 Margin Provides Dazzling Football

• to the visiting line, but the movement lacked penetration. Reeve was next to increase the tally when he finished jj off a. sparkling movement to go over j under the posts. Ivor Jones found the I posts: { Britain ~ jy i Combined .......... o Tho local men brought the crowd to their feet when the forwards carried all before them. From solid play close to tire lino l.ecsbn snapped up to hoist the home side’s first contribution, Allen converted: Britain jy Combined ■} I ho home forwards now went into it with greater vim, but the tide was quickly turned when the visiting backs swung into lino in characteristic style. Murray, dp bag and Novis handled, bpong coming in again to gather up a faulty pass and to romp' - home under the sticks. Black added the points: Britain 24 Combined .. ~ 5 Half-time came with no alteration. 1 On resumption Combined took the upper hand a strong forward attack culminated in Storey going across. Allen converted: Britain 21 Combined .. .. ]0 The homo side continued the offensive, but from a. lino-out tho visiting backs wore led for Novis to cap tile movement with a line run that added a further three points. The kick failed: Britain 27 Combined 10 Combined kept up the pressure and fhc effort was successful when Mitchell dived over. The essay at goal failed narrowly. Combined were over again after a torrid spell, but the kick failed: Britain 27 Combined i(j There was only one side in it at the finish. Spong electrified the crowd with a dazzling run that left tho home side standing. His try was converted. Novis was next to go over and lie was followed by who brought flic visitors’ tally to 40 within a few minutes of time and the game ended: Britain .. 40 Combined 16 Mr. S. J. Weston, of Whangarci, was the referee.