South Island Dominate Rugby Trial

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 2

South Island Dominate Rugby Trial

\Special To ‘-Nonnern Advocate" i WELLINGTON. This Day. Though affected by bad weather, the North versus South inter-island Rugby trial at Wellington on Saturday was surprisingly open. South led at halftime by 20 points to three, and scored the only try in the second spell, to win 23—3. Their victory was duo to greater brilliance by the inside backs and effective open play by the forwards. Ten thousand spectators were present. Try-getters for South were Morrison (.2), Quaid (2), Roberts and Mitchell. Wcsney converted one and landed a penalty. R. C. Masters, Northland’s sole representative, goaled for North Island with a penalty taken in front of the posts. North Outplayed.

Taking a bare five minutes to settle down in earnest, the South Island from then on dominated nearly all phases of the play, and swept on relentlessly to an unexpected victory by 23 points to three. It was one of those rare occasions on which the North failed to cross their rivals’ line. In fact, they were within striking distance of scoring only three or four times all through. Perfect scrum work, heeling with precision, snappy half-back play, sharp penetration by a top-notch fiveeighths, and bettor handling all round were factors in South’s superiority. To that can be added greater vim, fitness and backing up. The backing up, especially, deserves a high tribute. Frequently when the line of South’s backs broke away two, three or more forwards were to be seen hustling along with them, or only a few yards in the rear. Against these sustained tactics, North had very little chance to cause South concern. Their scrum was ragged by comparison, real loose rushes were missing, and too many of the backs failed to field the heavy ball. They were mostly out of their element in the mud.

Russell Replaced.

Even when North managed to hook the ball, their half-back, Russell, mostly failed to send it on smartly, and as a result Crossman, Cameron and Sullivan had little opportunity to snap into action. Yet Russell played a plucky game. Probably a knock affected him, and he retired at halftime. Crossman then went behind the scrum and Barton, of Wanganui, took up the centre-three-quarter position. The line now had fewer gaps in it, but speedy movement was out of the question in the second spell.

Where the North forwards did their most effective work was in the lineouts. Here Wynyard, Lockington and McKenzie stood up to things manfully and worked all they knew to drive a wedge into South’s line. Dalton was prominent at all stages of the game, and Bowman and Carson gave him full support, Carson, in fact, played a splendid game. Pearce displayed more energy in the second spell. Masters Stops Rushes, South’s best forward was Quaid, but the whole pack were always on the ball. Their compact scrum work was one of the secrets of their victory. Saxton, the half, Berghen and Taylor, were a wonderful trio for the Southerners. Considering the muddy conditions, they played above themselves. Berghen can be put down as the “find” of the match. Sullivan was easily North's best back. Masters, although he stopped many rushes, was not up to Taylor’s standard. All four wing-three-quarters had very little opportunity. Mitchell was probably the best of the quartet.

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