SOUTH BEATS NORTH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19374, 12 July 1937, Page 8

SOUTH BEATS NORTH

INTER-ISLAND RUGBY SPECTACULAR ENCOUNTER THRILLS FOR 27,000 PEOPLE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Played at a fast pace throughout, the annual North Island versus South Island Rugby match at Athletic Park. Wellington, yesterday, before a crowd of 27,000 people, proved to be one of the most spectacular encounters for years. Victory went to the South in the last 10 minutes of the game. South won by 00 points to 21. The weather was beautifully tine and the ground fast. South forwards were able to keep control in the loose by virtue of their greater pace and played with greater dash and combination. The solid play of Trevathan, the brilliance on attack of Hooper, the experience of Mitchell, and the speed of Cobden made the South back line superior. The North backs had plenty of opportunities, but penetration was largely lacking except for some quick bursts by Solomon.

The scrums were more decisive in the second spell. This led to brighter back play and the movements increased in brillance as the game advanced, the last quarter especially being packed with thrills. In a hooking duel between Lambourne and Orman the former was slightly superior. First blood went to the South after 11 minutes of play when Trevathan kicked a penalty goal from 10yds in. North equalised five minutes after when Pollock kicked a penalty from a handy position. Brilliant Cutting-In Hooper opened a brilliant display of cutting-in when he clapped on the pace after receiving the ball from the scrum, sent in a clever screw kick which Rankin gathered in to score under the posts. Trevathan’s kick missed.

A minute later there was a highlight when Mitchell fielded a short kick, sped down the sideline, brushing aside tackles and bumping Pollock off to cross eight yards in. Trevathan kicked a fine goal. McKenzie threw a long pass to Sullivan, whose attempted pot failed to rise. Hooper again cut in but lost the ball. Peace collected it and raced away to transfer to Barton, the centre handling on to Solomon who went over 15yds from the corner. Pollock converted.

North forwards were putting more energy into their work. However, Trevathan put the South further ahead with a penalty goal when Clothier came round the scrum too quickly. Pollock frequently tried to dodge oncoming attackers and .was usuallycaught. Taylor, on the other hand, seldom delayed his movements long enough to be left with the ball. Orman and Quaid were breaking quickly from the scrums and the South forwards were dangerous. Pollock brought North within three points of South's score with another penaltygoal right on half-time, when the ball came out to Barton from a ruck. Sullivan got possession, raced down the line, kicked ahead of Taylor, gathered the ball in a bounce and scored a most spectacular try which Pollock converted magnificently. North Control Scrum ( s On resuming play, Solomon left Hooper standing with a cut-in but Morrison caught Barton from behind when the movement looked most dangerous. North began to win the ball in the scrums. The backs handled frequently, Solomon always threatening to break away. Hooper executed a brilliant cut through and passed to Milliken who kicked ahead, Ward and King chasing it and South was nearly over. The | effort was rewarded when Trevathan kicked an easy penalty. Ten minutes later, the North backs got away. Phillips beat Morrison, sent a low pass in to Solomon. It was brilliantly gathered by Crossman who galloped 25yds to score under the posts. Pollock’s kick put North four points ahead. The' next score came to South when Hooper forced his way through, handed the ball on to Rankin. Mitchell, who was handy, raced down the field, transferring to Morrison as Pollock tackled him. Trevathan’s kick was just short. With a point separating the teams, play became spectacular and exciting. South forwards attacked strongly, but North pushed them back. Morrison only just caught Phillips when the winger got away. Cobden picked up the ball and tried to bullock past Pollock with Quaid in support. South Forwards In Charge

South forwards now took charge with Parkhill and Rankin in the lead. Then Cobden brought the crowd to its feet when he kicked ahead after a North back attack had broken down and beat Pollock and Barton to the line. Trevathan converted.

Two minutes later, Hooper again fooled the defence and Mitchell carried on and when he handed the ball on to Cobden the winger was tackled only inches short of the line. Pearce relieved North’s position with a fine break from the scrum. An attempt by Crossman to cut in was frustrated. Then Hooper again jinked his way through and again Mitchell was handy to receive the pass. Phillips turned his back on him and the South captain zig-zagged five or six times before scoring under the posts. Trevathan converted.

In the final minutes Crossman gathered the ball in the loose and after a fine run sent Phillips away, Taylor just managing to catch the winger in the corner.

Of the two vanguards, all the South were in great fettle. Milliken toiled in the tight and often broke away in the loose. Hattersley was usually with him. Parkhill was a splendid back-row forward. Rankin was a big factor in the South's victory by his speed and opportunism. Of the North forwards, Pearce and Jackson were outstanding. The others did not show up in the loose but packed well. Mr. E. B. Berry, of Hawke’s Bay, was the rc-feree.