Australians Win 9-8

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1946, Page 6

Australians Win 9-8

<P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH. This Day. Cver 15,000 people saw the touring Australian Rugby team beat TaranakiKing Country by nine points to eight on Saturday.

Supporters of the combined team considered their side to be one of the best fielded for some years, and they were disappointed at the failure of the team. At half-time there was no score. Australia scored a converted try and a potted goal in the second half, while the combined team got two tries, one of which was converted. The Australians played a type of game which will make them popular wherever they play They took advantage of the experience they gained in the match against North Auckland and. with some new talent, p-layed with dash and vigour. TIIE FIRST SFELL In the first spell the tourists had the advantage territorially and were superior in the line-outs and scrums. The Taranaki-King Country backs tackled well, but when they did get the ball they mishandled a lot. The Australian forwards and backs often combined in passing rushes from one side of the field to the other, using stab punts to advantage. Schulte generalled the backs brilliantly. but the line lacked penetration and the Taranaki-King Country tackling kept their efforts in check. Only four minutes had gone in the second half when Australia scored. Dawson picked up in a melee and passed to Schulte, who sent Windon away lor a try between the pests. Livermore converted. The Combined backs woke up in a brilliant interchange to and fro till Roper scored close in and Ridland added the goal to even the score. Mitchinson came off hurt. West going on. OPEN, WILLING The game became open and willing, the ball going from man to man and play ranging from end to end of the field. Combined were playing the better game now. and from a melee in the corner Jamieson tore across lor a corner try which Ridland could not convert. Cooke came off and was replaced by Gourlay. Australia next got the bail in a line-out. but Marriner took it away from Schulte and dribbled over the goal line. As he went to go down on it. however, he knocked in on with his knee and it crossed the dead-ball line. The Combined team was now going great guns and when the backs operated Jamieson made a wonderful run along the sideline before he was stopped by Fiper. The ball was then passed back to Piper, who, standing 10 yards inside the half-way line, potted a goal to give Australia a 9-8 lead. Both teams were now playing thrilling football, but the game ended without further score.