DECISIVE WIN

Southland Times, Issue 21771, 28 July 1932, Page 8

DECISIVE WIN

SOUTHLAND TEAM CANTERBURY BEATEN BY 28 TO 5 MAROON PACK TOO GOOD BRIGHT SECOND SPELL Southland’s Rugby representatives made a truly auspicious beginning to their inter-provincial season at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon when they decisively defeated Canterbury, holders of the Ranfurly Shield, by 28 points to 5. Although the Maroons fielded a strong combination, it was not anticipated by their most ardent supporters that they would put up such a good showing. Both back and forward they were superior to the visitors, and generally shaped in a manner which augurs well for future representative games. The weather conditions were fine but cold, with a stiff easterly prevailing throughout the afternoon. The playing area had made a remarkable recovery after the recent rains and although on the heavy side, presented a more or less dry surface. In the circumstances it was not surprising to witness a bright and open game, particularly in the second" spell when the Maroons opened up the game from all positions and threw the ball about freely. There was a fair attendance of the public. Ragged First Spell. The first spell opened very raggedly. Neither side could get moving right and for the first quarter of an hour there was an almost continual breakdown of passing movements. Canterbury were the first to settle down and judging by the success of the forwards in the first six line-outs and scrums, It looked as if Southland were in for a had time. The Maroon scrummers then took a hand, and from then on gained a two to one monopoly of ball from rucks and scrums. In the lineouts, too, the home forwards asserted their superiority, and towards the end of the spell were giving the backs a regular supply of ball from this avenue. The backs were not too happy, however, and either passed poorly, or were caught in possession, consequently many opportunities went begging. From a ball possession point of view, a nine points’ lead at the end of the spell was not good measure. Southland had been playing with the wind, yet were on the defensive for a long time. The Canterbury backs looked more likely when they got moving. Their handling was crisp and smart, and had Southland’s sterling defence weakened one bit, the visitors must have put on points. The tackling on both sides was of a high standard. Playing against the wind in the second half the home team started well with a dashing try by McKay and never looked hack. The forwards, who had played their part well, in the first half, again paved the way, and as the result of some splendid loose rushes and combined work, considering the heaviness of the turf, five tries to Canterbury’s one were scored. At times the Maroon forwards swept the field, and had the fielding been clean two or three more tries might have been added to the total. The visitors were well beaten in the finish. The game had been contested at a fast pace throughout and they must have felt the effects of the heavy ground. For a Canterbury team they were disappointing, and not up to the standard of previous teams. It must be said in their favour, however, that they were a new and young side and under different conditions might do very well. Honours to Maroon Forwards. Always a producer of good forwards and great packs, Southland fielded eight scrummers yesterday quite capable of upholding the province’s prestige in this department of the game. And it has to be remembered that they were playing under scrummaging conditions which were more foreign than familiar. The Maroons packed a three-four-one formation and Canterbury three-two-three, but on the day Southland’s scrum was more successful, despite the advantage of weight in Canterbury’s favour. Against this, however, Southland were favoured with three tried and proved front row men capable of holding their own with any hookers. They demonstrated their worth by securing possession from 28 scrums as against Canterbury’s 14. These figures are convincing enough, but in addition the front row trio, Mattingly, Donnelly and C. George, proved to be outstanding workers in the loose and rucks, and in no small measure assisted the other packmen to take the honours of the day. Only in the line-outs did the Canterbury forwards put in any strong claim to superiority. They started off well, but had to give ground, and at the finish of the first spell Southland had gained an advantage from 21 lineouts as compared with Canterbury’s nine. In the second spell the visiting forwards met with greater success following throw-ins and almost broke even with the home van, the actual figures for the spell being 14 to 13 in Southland’s favour. Canterbury favoured the knock back for possession, their taller forwards doing very well in keeping the ball from the Maroons in this phase of the game. The lineout work on the whole was very good, as was also the rucking which followed many of the throw-ins. Neither set of backs functioned up to first class inter-provincial standard. There were glimpses of bright passing movements, nevertheless, and sufficient was seen to suggest that with a minimum of mistakes in handling and passing a brilliant exhibition of spectacular Rugby would have been witnessed. Both rearguards tried to open up the game, but the one watched the other very closely and rarely was the spectacle of the three-quarters racing at top for the line provided. Geddes was sent away on a couple of occasions and thrilled the crowd with his determined running, but found the tackling of the Canterbury backs too sound. Maroons Should Improve. Taken all round the game was a good “pipe-opener” for both teams and Undoubtedly both will benefit. From a Southland viewpoint the Maroons’ performance was very pleasing and it is doubtful if the side could be improved upon. There was good cohesion between backs and forwards, but, as yet, not too good an understanding among the backs. This should come with games together, and by the time Southland are called upon to meet Auckland (on August 13) they should be a very strong side. All on the home side played their parts in the good victory, but perhaps special mention should be accorded Porter and McKay, in the backs, and Donnelly, Berry and Murphy in the forwards. Porter was sound in all departments of full-back play and kicked. with rare judgment, both with and against the strong wind. McKay was the star on attack and completely overshadowed his more illustrious vis-a-vis on the day, The Blues’ man

was ever ready to sense an opening and had the distinction of scoring the best try of the day and also scoring the most points. Donnelly, Berry and Murphy were at the head of almost every rush and figured in many of the passing movements between backs and forwards which made the game so bright in the second spell. Fowle was as übiquitous as ever, but handled faultily and lost two tries by trying to pick up when dribbling would have borne fruit. The outstanding player on the Canterbury side was Bullivante, the fullback. He had much work throughout the afternoon, but carried it out in tradesmanlike style and was never seen to better advantage than when tackling an opponent. He saved Canterbury from having a large score put up against them. None of the inside backs impressed any more than the Southlanders, but the two wingers, Rowe and Dunshea, looked likely if properly served. Holden’s service behind Southland’s scrum was better than Vincent’s to Canterbury, but the visitor was handicapped by playing behind a beaten pack. King, Sweeney and Thompson were the best of the Canterbury forwards. The Teams. The teams lined out as follows:— SOUTHLAND (Maroon) G. Porter 13.4 J. H. Geddes 12.0 A. McKay 11.12 N. Mitchell 12.8 R. Sharp 11.0 D. G. Grant (Capt) 12.3 A. ■ W. Holden 10.10 J. Mattingly 12.5, C. L. George 13.12, R. S. Donnelly 12.12. R. Berry 13.8, J. Murphy 13.7, W. Southern 13.12, L. George 13.7. E. E. Fowle 13.4. CANTERBURY (Red and Black) A. Bullivante 11.7 A. Rowe 11.6, C. J. Oliver 12.4, N. Dunshea 11.12 L. Hollow 12.0 R. Hazelhurst 11.0 W. H. Vincent 11.4 K. Brown 13.4, R. H. King 13.0, A. Bowes 13.0 C. H. Perkins 13.10, G. W. Thompson 14.0. D. G. Simpson 13.10, G. J. Howell 13.8, W. Sweeney 13.9. PLAY DESCRIBED. Southland won the toss, Canterbury kicking off against a stiff easterly breeze. Play settled on Southland s side of halfway, the visiting forwards being aggressive from a line-out. The Red backs then went away in passing from two line-outs. The transfers were crisp, but little ground was gained. The first ruck was carried by Southland and Grant found a gap with a short punt, play being taken to within a few yards of the Red twenty-five. Canterbury hooked cleanly from a scrum and the ball travelled out to Dunshea who was upended. Southern and George broke away and the visiting line was seriously threatened. C. George got the ball over the line, but Bullivante forced. Mitchell failed to mark the drop-out and a ruck formed. Vincent passed out but the other fumbled in turn. Crude work by the Southland forwards was seen in front of the stand. After they had failed to do the right thing Geddes picked up and kicked to Bullivante who found touch at halfway. A line-out went to Canterbury, but the backs fumbled. The Southland forwards heeled from a ruck, but Holden failed to pick up. Southland carried the next scrum but Holden’s kick was charged down, it being left for Berry to snap up and burst through. Donnelly carried on with brilliant footwork, but Canterbury cleared when Vincent received from a scrum and kicked out at halfway. The Southland forwards came through again, the Georges taking play to near the corner flag. Geddes received and made a bid for the line. A couple of defenders got their hands on him and tried to sling him into touch. The wing, however, used the momentum created by their slinging to go over for a good try at the corner. The wind spoilt Porter’s kick at goal. Southland 3 Canterbury 0 Southland carried a scrum, Holden tossing out to Grant who cut in successfully and in-passed to Donnelly, the forward being floored near the line. The Maroons were now going better on the line-outs. Donnelly and Murphy showed up in a good dribble, but Bullivante was very safe at full-back for the Reds. The Southland forwards set up passing at the end of which Grant received, but he hung on too long. Oliver picked up to kick out at the twenty-five. Murphy took cleanly at the line-out, Holden then receiving to send Grant away. Though bagged after cutting in, the Maroon skipper gained 15 yards. King led a vigorous Red rush which Sharp stemmed. The first penalty went to Canterbury, the force of the wind being apparent when Bullivante tried to find the line. Southland passing went astray when Holden received from a knock-hack on a lineout. Again Southland passing broke down, Sharp’s transfer to McKay being poor. Porter was applauded for a great touch-finder when Canterbury were penalized for off-side play. The full-back gained 50 yards. Vincent sent his backs away from the line-out, but the movement ended at Hollow, McKay picking up to run through to the visitors’ twenty-five. The Canterbury forwards were breaking quickly from the scrums and both sets of backs were standing close up to each other. Following feeble passing by the Maroon vanguard the Canterbury backs gained possession, but Oliver dropped a good pass from Hollow. Neither team seemed able to “do it right,” though the visitors’ passing was crisp enough. Berry turned defence into attack by a great burst and Donnelly carried on. Sharp was again responsible for Southland passing breaking down. Southland were penalized and Sweeny tried a high punt, but McKay cleared with a dash up the centre of the field. Southland were the more aggressive, but that was not saying much. Hollow exploited the short punt, Oliver carrying on till grassed by McKay. Fowle got off-side, Bullivante lining inside the Maroon twenty-five. Crisp passing by the visiting rearguard was met by solid tackling. Sharp picked up smartly and sent on to McKay who made a spectacular run before passing to Geddes. The movement put Southland on attack, but passing by the visitors in which the ball went right out to Dunshea caused a change of venue. Mitchell made no mistake in tackling Danshea, however, and Southland cleared. Play became a little brighter. Berry figured in a determined run, using his weight to advantage, but the Canterbury backs set up passing and threatened danger until Mattingly came back to save. C. George received a knock on the head and play was held up. A break by Murphy looked promising, but his pass was forward. The ball seemed to be full of tricks, for it almost invariably bounced disadvantageously for the players. Southland worked play near the visitors’ line, a smart kick by Holden which was well followed up by Donnelly gaining a lot of ground. Donnelly, Berry and Mattingly were prominent in a loose rush, but Bullivante was a very safe custodian. A chance was lost when Sharp made a tricky run, no one being there to receive his pass. Oliver took a good mark, but the Southland forwards were soon back inside the Red twentyfive. Holden sent out a poor pass to Grant and Thompson was. able to clear to halfway. Holden came smartly round the scrum with the ball in possession and Fowle received, but Rowe intercepted and put

in a bright run till he was brought down with a high but deadly tackle by. C. George. Bullivante again saved well when the Southland forwards threatened. The ball went out at the corner and a scrum followed the lineout. Southland hooked cleanly and Holden sent out to Grant. The skipper decided to steer his own course and went over for a good try after being tackled near the line. Porter’s kick was a poor one. Southland 6 Canterbury 0 Southland got away with offside play by the forwards and Fowle, George and Berry looked as if they might go over but Hazelhurst cleared. A blind side rush by Canterbury was promising until Mitchell picked up and kicked out. Holden sent a long pass out to Sharp who beat three defenders and nearly reached the line. He in-passed, but no one was ready for it and a great chance was lost. Grant tried to force his way over after receiving from a scrum, but tackled ball was ruled. Sharp dropped his pass when Southland passing had begun well. Canterbury were penalized for offside play and McKay sent the ball just over the bar from a difficult angle. Southland 9 Canterbury 0 The whistle then ended a dull spell. Bright Second Spell. Hollow and Hazelhurst had changed places when the teams took the field at the commencement of the second spell. A Canterbury forward failed to mark the kick-off, but Southland were penalized. Bullivante did not get the line, Sharp fielding the ball well and kicking for Geddes to follow up. This put Southland on attack, but the Canterbury forwards took play back with a vigorous loose rush. Following a melee near halfway a kick by Hollow was charged down, C. George and Donnelly breaking through to the Red twentyfive where a ruck formed. Holden could be seen waiting for the ball, which was hanging at the back of the scrum, to be heeled clear. At last this happened and he sent out to Grant. Sharp almost dropped a rather difficult transfer but recovered and sent on to McKay. The centre cut in past Oliver, swerved past Bullivante and went over for a try which at last evoked enthusiasm from the stand. It was certainly a splendid run. He goaled himself. Southland 14 Canterbury 0 A long kick by Hollow put Canterbury on attack, though Porter took it well and found the line at his twenty-five. The ball went through the Canterbury backs to Rowe, but he was well tackled by Geddes. Canterbury were getting a fair amount of ball from line-outs, but the backs were not as effective as the usual Red and Black rearguard. When Hollow’s pass to Hazelhurst went astray Sharp secured as the ball slipped out of the secondfive eighth’s arms and sped upfield. On reaching Bullivante he passed out to McKay, but the centre had the bad luck to stumble and fall. The Maroon forwards were handy, however, and took the ball with them. Fowle nearly infringed when he tried to pick up, but Murphy and Donnelly dribbled over the line, the latter, scoring. McKay missed from almost in front. Southland 17 Canterbury 0 The Canterbury backs figured in passing, Hazelhurst cutting in, but the Southland tackling was very sound. Bullivante took a mark and had a drop at goal, but the kick was well wide. Holden was twice prominent for smart work near the scrum. The Southland forwards were securing from the vast majority of scrums. Effective passing by the Maroons saw the ball go out to Geddes, but Rowe’s tackle was deadly. The Canterbury forwards threatened but Porter was very, sound. Berry headed a rush which gained 50 yards, but the Canterbury backs replied with accurate passing. Mitchell was very sure in his tackling, as indeed were all the Maroon backs. Thompson and Howell made a break and Oliver showed brilliant footwork after he had stumbled in a passing bout. He took the ball almost to the posts where a ruck formed. Fully a dozen forwards got piled on top of one another. From the ensuing set scrum the Southland hookers secured cleanly and the backs were confident enough to set up passing near their own line. It worked and Geddes was able to gain a lot of ground in a dash down the far wing. Play swung across to the grandstand side where Mitchell was applauded for solid tackling. Canterbury worked play right to Southland’s line and only sound tackling kept the visiting backs out at the corner. Play was a great improvement on the first spell. Murphy made a good dash down the line, but kicked when he should have passed. Bullivante marked and lined at halfway. Canterbury tried the blind side, Hollow passing to Rowe, who made a bright dash before being grassed. Play swung across to Dunshea’s wing, the Red three-quarter turning in when he received and selling a dummy. This accomplished he sped diagonally for the line which he crossed for a brilliant try. Vincent goaled. Southland 17 Canterbury 5 Mitchell picked up cleverly from the feet of Red forwards and almost got clear, but stumbled. Vincent was hurt in stemming a Maroon rush. Southland were now in the ascendant. Fowle started a rush and Sharp charged down Oliver’s speculator. Murphy picked up ten yards from the posts and forced his way over. McKay’s kick was charged down by Perkins who saved two points for his side for which he was rewarded by a damaged face. Southland 20 Canterbury 5 Porter got in some effective work at full-back when the Canterbury forwards rallied. A penalty shot at goal by Vincent was well astray. After resolute tackling had nullified Canterbury passing Holden broke away from a scrum and in-passed to his forwards, Fowle and the Georges receiving. The ball then travelled from a ruck through the hands of the Southland backs and a score seemed assured, but the passing was a bit laboured. The Maroons were now making all the play. Mattingly received in the Red 25 and passed to Grant who squirmed past three opponents and passed to Fowle. The Westerner, in a determined run that was aided by weak tackling, went over under the posts. Porter goaled. Southland 25 Canterbury 5 Although they were getting any amount of practice at handling the Maroon backs were still often at fault. Geddes made a gallant attempt to cross when he received at the end of a bout of passing. Though grassed by Rowe he got up again and was pulled down by Bullivante only inches short. Mitchell figured in clever play when the Canterbury backs attacked. Hollow was knocked dizzy in a tackle, but carried on. After a dash down the wing Mitchell was pushed out near the corner flag. The ball went from the line-out through the backs to Geddes who beat Oliver, but was well tackled by Bullivante. Fowle and Berry carried on, the big Pirate crossing and running round behind the posts. This time it was Porter who missed a "sitter.” Southland 28 Canterbury 5 Porter forced when the kick-off went over the line. The Maroons were again seen in short passing, ''brant and