SERVICES’ MATCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25625, 28 August 1944, Page 6

SERVICES’ MATCH

CONVINCING WIN BY NORTH (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. Rarely has ono side so convincingly outplayed the other as did North against South in the inter-island services’ Rugby match yesterday, and yet show so little for its efforts. The final scores gave North a 10-point margin, 18 to 8, but had North pressed home all the advantages gained by greater possession, the skilful sidestepping of Delamore, some clever penetrating runs by Barchard, and the excellent backing up of the forwards, the margin could easily have been 30 points. North had the better of the first spell territorially, yet South led by 8 points to 3 at the interval. The latter’s points came from a try by Cochrane, and a try ,by O’Callaghan, which he converted himself Barchard scored for North,- but the number of times North penetrated South's defence only to lose certain tries by lack of finish amazed the crowd. It was not till the second spell was well advanced that North took the lead, and then it was achieved with some brilliant football. Green and Everest scored In quick succession, Morrison converting both tries. Then Barchard cut through a gap and sent Waldegrave over for a try, which Morrison converted. Delamore, a former Auckland Training College player, was the outstanding back on the field. He received good service from he scrutns from Barchard, and provided openings for the speedy Everest, who made many deep thrusts. Butt, the right wing-threequarter. impressed with his speed. A feature of the play of the forwards was their excellent backing up, Fraser, O’Donnell, and Waldegrave being outstanding. An injury prevented O’Callaghan, the brilliant Canterbury fiveeighths, from showing his best form, and he retired during the second spell. Burdett, at second five-eighths, was the soundest of the South backs. Cochrane (wing) and Masters (full-back) gave good service, but generally speaking the South rearguard was overshadowed on the day. Avery and Herman were noticeable in the line-outs for South, and Herman, Smith, and Knight in the loose, but the forwards were also shaded in most departments.