WIN FOR NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25327, 8 October 1945, Page 3

WIN FOR NORTH

LEAGUE FOOTBALL GAME

EIGHTEEN POINTS TO EIGHT Fast and open football, with plenty of excitement at times, was witnessed in the Rugby League match, North v. South, played at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon. It resulted in a win for North by 18 points to 8. With the exception that two Wellington players were included in the visiting team it was practically an inter-island match. The North backs possessed greater speed, but the positional play of the South backs compared very favourably with that of their opponents. The whistle was . blown too frequently for scrum breaches. In every respect the South forwards upheld their reputation as great players in the loose and set scrums.

The score by no means represented the difference between the two teams and it could easily have been closer. In the first spell, South had very much the better of the game, although the margin in its favour at half-time was only two points. South was unlortunate in the early stages of the second spell when the referee recalled two movements which would certainly have resulted in tries. There did not appear any justification for the whistle, and the crowd took exception to the decisions.

Smart play by the North hacks halfway through the second spell turned defence into attack and two good tries put the side in a safe position. The attendance was easily the largest seen at Carlaw Park for a number of years, being estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000. First Try to North The South backs opened up with a brilliant passing bout. McNaughton made a nice opening and passed to \\ . Mountlord, who sent Davison racing tor the line. The Canterbury wing almost got clear of a tackle by Kelly. Kav and Murray were prominent in a line North passing bout, but a forward pass to Nordgrcn cost a try. the South forwards hunted as a pack, and Newton, Smith and Moses thrilled the crowd with a strong oll'ensivo. Back swept tho play, and front a high kick the ball was badly missed by AY. Mount ford, and James raced over for an easy try. Smith missed an easy shot at goal. Play was fast and open. Kay made a brilliant break-through and had three North hacks racing in support, but McNaughton saved with a line, low tackle. North's backs were always dangerous at this stage. Allen raced round the blind side, Ririnui accepted the pass, and sent the hall on to Nordgrcn, who outpaced tho opposition to score a fine try. Smith missed a second easy shot. A remarkable change then came over the game, as the South backs revealed pace ami perfect understanding. A passing rush in which Stenhouse, C. Mount ford, W. Mount lord and Mallinder handled the ball ended in the last named scoring. C. Mountford converted. Plenty ol Thrills There were plenty of thrills as South attacked again. Newton broke away, passed to Mcßride, and three backs handled in turn before \\. Mountford raced over wide out. C. Mountford failed to convert.

The South backs, now definitely on top, made another great offensive. Mallinder broke through* passed to Newton, Smith and Moses, the last named almost breaking a tackle by Smith. The score at half-time was: South, 8, North, 6.

Early in the second spell C. Mountford made a clever run through the defence. Newton, Smith, Aynsley and K. Mountford joined in to complete a fine movement, but the referee ruled a forward pass. A minute later, Mallinder passed to Davison, K. Mountford and C. Mountford. The crowd cheered wildly as the last named beat Murray badly and got over the line. There was general surprise when the referee ordered a scrum as there was no apparent infringement.

Brilliant play by Kav gained 40 yards, and Smith, from fullback, took part in the passing. Nordgrcn, however, was splendidly tackled by Stenhouse. Ryan and Hambleton broke away from the scrum and Nordgren obtained possession and passed to James, who scored. Smith converted. The spectators applauded a clever run by McNatighton. who passed to C. Mountford. The North defence was badly beaten when Nordgren came up fast to stop Mountford a few yards from the goal. Spectacular play by Kelly and Kay, well supported by Allen and Hambleton, resulted in Hardwiek scoring. Smith converted. A minute before time Smith kicked a penalty goal to make the final score: North, 18. South, 8.

Fullbacks Play Well Both fullbacks, Sostcr and Smith (North) gave high-class displays and their fielding was (lawless. Soster was particularly impressive. Kay was the sharpest attacking back and his speed paved the way for three tries. Both the North wings, Nordgren and Kelly, played splendidly and were always dangerous. The duels between Nordgren and Stenhouse, whose tackling was deadly, were one of the features of the game. Allen justified his inclusion as halfhack. Clarke at five-eighths, was off his game. Murray did a lot of effective work on defence. Among the North forwards, James played a splendid game in the loose, and bis keen anticipation gained tries. Hardwiek was also good in the loose, while Ririnui, Hambleton and Ryan were all prominent. Rutherford did some effective hooking. Behind the South pack, Mallinder gave excellent service to McNatighton and C. Mountford, who overshadowed the North inside backs. Moses, Newton and Smith were the best of the South forwards.

Mr F. Knapper, of Huntly, was referee.