N.Z. Services Have Narrow Win Over South Africans

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1945, Page 6

N.Z. Services Have Narrow Win Over South Africans

(Rec. 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. The New Zealand Services. Rugby team beat the South African Sixth Armoured Division by nine points to six, at Richmond, giving New Zealand, by a small margin, precedence over other Dominion teams in Britain.

The score might have been higher, but the New Zealanders, who were superior everywhere except in the set scrums, were handicapped by the greasy conditions.

The Australian Air Force Rugby team is not now leaving England until the middle of January. The team hopes to arrange a return match with New Zealand Services, with whom they drew in the sole previous encounter. The Australian team also drew with the South Africans. LIGHTER, FASTER The New Zealanders, a lighter and faster side, always were dangerous in the loose and in fast passing rushes. The heavier South African forwards dominated play for most of the second half, but their backs were* slow and uncertain, and, instead of passing, kicked for the corner flag or the line.

Not until D. H. Swanson went from full-back to three-quarters in the closing stages of the‘game did the South African backline have any punch, but fortunately for the New Zealanders this change came too late. The game began in a light drizzle, which' made the ball difficult to handle, and it was some time before the South Africans settled down.

SPECTACULAR OPENING New Zealand opened the scoring with a spectacular try. They were pinned down on their own line. The South Africans heeled, but could not hold the ball. Generous kicks relieved the New Zealanders. Then M. Goddard and J. O’Hearn, following up fast, kicked ahead again and, Swanson failing to hold the ball, Goddard kicked again over the South African line and, in a race, touched it down. It was a complete reversal of fortunes in the matter of half a minute. The next score came from a penalty by H. Johns, who played a sterling game throughout. The New Zealanders were up six points in 12 minutes. The New Zealanders third and final score came when a pot at goal went wide and I. Botting, seizing the opportunity, beat his man to the touchdown. FLATTERING LEAD .

The New Zealanders, perhaps, were rather flattered by the score at this stage, but from now on they had to fight hard to retain the lead. The South Africans had many chances,* but they failed to make any penetration against firm tackling. They now began kicking regularly for the line, which, though it gained them ground, brought no other profit. The sun filtered through the clouds. There were cheers of delight from the South African spectators and increasing cries of “Boks! Boks!” * When a New Zealander became temporarily annoyed at having his jersey held, there was a mix-up, followed by a penalty allowed to the South Air*, cans. Swanson, who previously had missed one or two possible kicks, made sure of this one, and half-time arrived with the score at 9 —3. BOTTLED UP The second half opened with straggly play, and with the South Africans intent on keeping the ball among the" forwards. For a quarter of an hour they bottled it up in a solid mass of bodies and pegged down the New Zealanders on their own line. It seemed that a score must be inevitable, but the New Zealanders stood up to the heavier backs courageously until, in good time, they were able to open up the game again. Then Goddard, who always was the spearhead of offence, made a brilliant cut through and took play well into the South Africans’ half. But the New Zealanders soon sent it back by a 60yard kick to touch. In the closing stages, the game came the New Zealanders’ way again, and they opened out with spectacular pass- j ing "bouts. i The South Africans' try came three minutes before time, when Swanson cut clean through and J. C. Morkel went over in the corner. KIWIS WATCHED GAME The New Zealand pack, as a whole, played fine football, with R. Dalton and M. Ingpen outstanding. Dalton shone in particular. H. Kimberley maintained his reputation for solid defence.

The game was watched by Generals Freyberg and Kippenberger and the Kiwi team. The teams were: New Zealand: H. Johns, J. O’Hearn, H. Kimberley, M. Goddard, I. Botting, C. Geary, H. Stewart; forwards, C. Hardie, M. Ingpen. C. Porter, G. Henderson (captain), M. Henderson, K. Rankin, B. Goldsburv and R. Dalton.'

South Africa: D. H. Swanson, I, Frylinck, G. H .C. Smith, C. Moss, F. Kingwill, P. Stewart, I. Muller; R. Holton, P. Duvenage (captain), A. P. Greeff, J. A. Morkel, J. C. Morkel, K, Botha, S. Fry and H. Swartz. KIWI TEAM EXPERIMENTS

The N.Z.E.F. team to meet London at White City on. Saturday is as follows: Fullback: Cook. Three-quarters: Argus, Smith, Sherratt. Five-eighths: Allen (captain),. Kearney. Half-back: Proctor. Forwards: Rhind, Haigh, Bond, Grant, Woolley, Johnstone, Arnold, Thornton. Two interesting experiments are the playing of Allen at first five-eighths with Kearney at second, and the trial of Proctor at halfback, in which position he has had experience in New Zealand. Another halfback is needed, because Saxton’s shoulder injury has been much longer in clearing up than expected, although it is still hoped that he will be fit for the Wales match on January 5. FOUR MATCHES ON CONTINENT Arrangements have been completed for the Kiwi Rugby team to play four matches on the Continent. The team will leave England about March 6 for games against France, at Paris, on March 9 oi* 10; at Brussels, on March 13; at Wuppertal, on March 16; and against a French side, at Toulouse or Bordeaux, on March 23 or 24. The Irish people are very keen to see the Kiwis again and the probability is that, if shipping arrangements permit, the team will again visit Ireland after the Continental tour and play Munster and Ireland. J