BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 12

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

VICTORY AT TIMARU. COMBINED TEAM DEFEATED, SIXTEEN POINTS TO NINE. SURPRISE BY HOME FIFTEEN. [hY TEIJEQKAPn.—-ritESS ASSOCIATION.] TIMARU, Saturday. Tho British Rugby team secured the luckiest win of its tour against the combined Ashburton-South Cantorburj North Otago Unions here tliis afternooi by 16 points (two converted tries and twe penalty goals) to 9 (a try, a penalty goal and a goal from a mark). Tho weathei was gloriously fine and tho ground wa: in first-class order. Tho crowd was es. timated at between 12,000 and 13,000. Tho gamo was hard fought from start to finish, both teams maintaining a fasl pace. The combined unions had by fai tho better of tho first half, tho forwards, although conceding a deal to tho visitors . in weight, smashing through in tho loose to severely test tho visitors' defence, Tho efforts of the British backs for the most part were nullified by deadly tack ling. Morley and Jones-Davies, on the wings, were fairly well marked and were repeatedly forced to centre. Tho Combined team led by 9 points t< 5 at the. interval, but it was then the epinion of many they would not bo able to last out another strenuous fortj minutes. A great surprise was in store , for tho Britishers as well as the crowd; for the Combined forwards continued tc dominate play in tho loose and gaineei possession from a largo number of scrums, 1 Honours ol Match. Strang,' tha 1928 All Black, played a splendid game, feeding his backs like a machino. Ho varied his play. nicely and it was duo to his sound display thai the Combined backs camo so much intc the picture. Tho Combined team did not let up for a minute and although it loft the field defeated tho honours of the match wero in its favour. Both teams were accorded an ovation on leaving the field. Combined won tho toss, electing to play with the sun. Whiting misfielded the kick-off and tho British forwards immediately carried play into tho Combined twenty-five. 11. Jone3 and Ivor Jones broke through from a line-out, the lastnamed sending out a long pass to Bowcott, who went away with Jennings in support, but Jennings was hauled down by Day.' The ball rolled clear and Connolly picked up to send the attackers back to half-way. A scrum followed a line-out and in this the Britishers were penalised for illegal tactics, Whiting finding touch at the visitors' twenty-five flag. Britain carried tho line-out, but Ivor Jones ■was penalised for offside, Strang landing a beautiful goal ten yards from half,way. Combined Team, 3; Britain, 0. Four Minutes' Play. Play had only been in progress four minutes, this early success giving the • Combined players great heart. Whiting headed a determineeii rush to the British twenty-five, but Bowcott effected a nico clearance. A penalty for offside against Coxhead enabled the visitors to gain further territory. Strang gave his backs possession from a line-out and Day returned to midfield with a nice kick. Then the Combined backs showed out in a pretty rush following an opening by Sumpt,er, but Trotter was grassed in possession. Poole sent the British backs away and trouble loomed on tho horizon until Sumpter intercepted a pass by Jones-Davies. Ivor Jones next figured in a fine solo run, but ho lost possession when tackled and Pawson cleared. Tho Combined forwards inado a [further sally, paving tho way for a brilliant rush which ended in a try. Giddings and Coxhead first handled, Coxhead giving to Sumpter, who cut infield and handed on to Gaffaney. Strang raced round on the outsido to accept the transfer and he went 10yds to score in the corner amid wild excitement. Ho failed to convert. Combined, 6; Britain, 0. From a scrum Strang sent the lino away, Day stab-kicking for a gap. Trotter raced through, but over-ran tho ball. Morley gathered in and made a nico dash down the line, being eventually forced into touch. Forwards Playing WellCombined at this slago was having much tha better of it, tho forwards playing a great gamo in the loose. They again broko through, but Whiting was penalised for offside. Although tho position was an easy one, Black failed to turn it to account Bowcott and Ivor Jones ■were then associated in pretty in-and-out passing. Poole joined in the rush, but threw a forward pass. Trotter retrieved the loft territory with a fine solo run, but Bassett, gathering in cleanly, found touch at half-way. Securing in midfield Poolo fooled tho opposition badly and sent on to Ivor Jones, to Black, to Prentice, who crossed under the posts. Black converted. Combined, 6; Britain, 5. Tho Combined backs again opened out in smart passing, carrying play to tho visitors' twenty-five. Strang once more Kent the line away from a scrum, but Trotter failed to accept his transfer. Tho ■British forwards dribbled through, but. •were pulled up by liollow, who marked in an easy position. A free charge was fillowed and Hoilow mado certain of the kick. Half-time then sounded with tho score:—Combined, 9; Britain, 5. On resuming Britain was forced almost to its own lino as the result of fine 'kick by Hollow. The British forwards swept downfield, carrying all before them. Combined was penalised for a fccrum infringement, Black goaling. Combined, 9; Britain, 8. Securing in the loose Poole cut out with a high pass to Jennings, who sent on to Novis. Combined was penalised for obstruction, Black landing his second penalty goal. Britain, 11; C'ombincel, 9. Row Twice Cautioned. The British backs now commenced to throw the ball about, but tho inside men made few attempts to create openings, leaving the wings to gain territory. Thcv had a hard row to hoe, as the defence was very sound. Cameron smashed through from a line-out, but was smothered beforo getting in his transfer. Play in the forwards was very hard, Row being twico cautioned. Britain was kept on the defensive for a considerable period as the result of great loose play by the Combined forwards. Jones-Davies received after tho whole British back lino had and ho penetrated to tho Combined fullback with four men in support. He delayed his pass and Connolly got his man and ball, the crowd showing appreciation of a fine pieco of play" Britain continued to attack, two forwards in succession being held up on the line. Tho Combined team eventually cleared and held tho advantage for a period, but tho British backs then opened out in a brilliant rush which reached the opposing twenty-five. Again they secured, Novis making a fine solo run, swerying past four players. Ho crosskicked, and Jennings, taking the ball in liis stride, raced through for a try near tho posts Black converted, and time was called immediately, tho score being:— ißritain, 16j Combined team, 9. V .Mr. A. E. Budd, Invercargill, was jelorec. i