RUGBY RECORD STANDS

Southland Times, Issue 22997, 17 September 1936, Page 12

RUGBY RECORD STANDS

Southland Beats Australia FOURTEEN POINTS TO SIX FAST AND OPEN PLAY In glorious weather and good playing conditions Southland’s Rugby representatives defeated the touring Australian team at Rugby Park yesterday by 14 points to 6, and thus kept intact a proud record of never having been beaten by an Australian side. This was Southland’s seventh game against an Australian team in 41 years. As was only to be expected in the ideal conditions the game was fast and open, but while there was pleasure for the great majority of the 6000 spectators in the success of the Maroons, the game was more ragged than spectacular. Nevertheless there was an abundance of sparkling play, mostly individual in character, and all round the match was interesting and entertaining. Two bands, the Caledonian Pipe Band of Southland and the Invercargill Civic Band, added to the enjoyment of the afternoon.

It has become an accepted opinion that Rugby teams from Australia provide the crowds who follow the game with that type of football which pleases them. This year’s Australian team is no exception to the rule, and even if some of their moves are not in accord with the soundest principles of Rugby they are accepted by the football public as contributions to a game which in past years has been inclined to fall away. Yesterday a Southland crowd was provided with some of the highlights of the Australian game; it was thrilled at times with the daring of the backs. They threw the ball about regardless of the consequences, and more than once took liberties which would be condemned in New Zealand Rugby, Be that as it may, the fact remains that the public dearly loves to see the ball “given air,” so to speak, and whether it be friend or foe the action of movement and more movement in combined work is applauded. There were occasions in yesterday’s match that reminded old timers of the great Australian teams of 20 years and more ago. Some of the younger members did their best to open the play and keep it open, but there was not just that accuracy of detail in handling and passing which made the past combinations forces to be reckoned with. Some of the centre backs were guilty of flat-footed passing; they were inclined to be bustled when their markers bore down on them, and often enough lost ground through indecision at the mom- : ent when resource must have got them out of trouble. In this respect the Australians do not compare favourably with the New Zealanders. Some of them acted quickly enough, but the . majority appeared to have but one mis- | sion—to get the ball out to the wings i at all costs and trust to the speed of the flank men to carry them through. Lack of Midfield Thrust. In the conditions which prevailed yesterday these tactics did not altogether pay. More mid-field thrusts such as exploited by L. S. Lewis (the visiting five-eighth) in the last quarter of the game, when Australia made determined efforts to pull it out of the fire, must have brought results. The Australians showed that they could play this type of game. Why they did , not persevere with it more is hard to understand. Apparently the fetish of | fast wing three-quarters is being al- | lowed to creep in to their game, and spoil it, just as it has in New Zealand football. There is more in Rugby than over-doing the play of getting the ball out to the wings and “trusting to luck.” , That was proved yesterday. On the question of pace, however, much could be said about the meeting of Southland and Australia. The game proved more than ever that Southland still needs to discover backs with more i pace than the present combination pos- I sesses. Time after time yesterday the , Maroons outplayed the Australians in | clever forward work only to see everything lost through the slowness of the backs to capitalize good work. Time j after time Southland’s backs were caught from behind. Had Southland possessed just a little more speed of foot it must have won by a fairly comfortable margin. As it was, it subdued the visitors after a very scrappy start. The presence of N. A. Mitchell and T. Metcalfe made all the difference to : the Southland team. Mitchell gave the backs confidence, and when he topped off some good work by Metcalfe in the first half, the Maroons played with ; obvious confidence. It would not be too much to say that two things attracted ] the big crowd to rhe game, the weather and Mitchell. Such are the magnetic possibilities of a star player. And after seeing yesterday’s exhibition by the Southland captain, many regretted that c injury had kept him off the scene for t so long. He was right on his game, and every time he had possession, made good play. The Australians marked him strongly, but he proved too elusive at times and made the defence look very weak when under way. Mitchell is a match-winner foi' Southland, and there is solace in the fact that although he has reached the top of the Rugby tree in New Zealand he is yet a young man and should be available for Southland and New Zealand for several years to come. Southland Backs. It would be an untruth to say that the Southland backs played well as a combination. They did not; but they made up for much in their individual work. The playing of Thomas at first five-eighth was a welcome change from the stodginess of some of the others tried in the position. He was well watched by Lewis, but was able to do some good attacking work just the same. Thomas’s defence was sound. At second five-eighth M. Hamilton was again a trifle slow, but he, too, played well in solo work. He proved a rare opportunist at opening up movements from breakdowns by the Australian backs. Sutherland was the better of the wings. He saw more of the play than Milne, but there was no questioning his dash and versatility. Wing threequarter appears to be his place. His marking of the speedy McLean was very good. At full-back Sharp fulfilled

expectations. He is another back who shapes better as a soloist, although there must have been many present who would have preferred to see him associated with Mitchell. The pair have not been played together this season. Sharp impressed the crowd by the way he raced up to take the ball and start the other backs moving. His fielding generally was good and he kicked well. J. Purdue had to contend with the quick breaking of the Australian forwards when at work at the base of the scrums. He did not always make a clean pick up, but mostly got the ball away in time. Purdue shone in open field play. He always does, and yesterday, particularly in the second half, he made a lot of play around the short side of scrums.

1 The Southland forwards were beaten ‘ for ball in the first half but had mat- ’ I ters much their own way in the sec- ’ ond. It was apparently realized that ’ the Australians were a dangerous facj tor in the lines, and it was noticeable that Mitchell called for scrums instead ' of line-outs on several occasions. All [ of the forwards worked hard. They had . to to keep up with the bustling play , of the Australian pack. On the day it [ could be said that honours were just about even, Southland balancing the • honours with successes in rucking and . quick heeling. Had the Maroon for- [ wards been able to keep the ball on I the ground more, they must have made . matters harder for the visitors. In the ; air the visitors were always too clever . for the Southland forwards. Australian Backs’ Faulty Handling. I The handling of the Australian ■ backs was disappointing in the first half. Many a time they had the de- | fence beaten, but a dropped pass or knock-on spoiled the movement. McLean scored two good tries and looked the most likely of the three-quarters to do something with the ball. Richi ards was not as good at half-back as he i was at centre in the Test on Saturday, | but played solidly all the same. His deI fensive work was good. Storey was the best of the Australian backs. His game was a big improvement on his display at Dunedin, and his tackling of Mitchell was exceptionally good. The forwards put in some hard j work, and it was no fault of theirs that they had to strike their colours. O. L. ' Bridle once again showed his worth as a dashing loose forward, and Walden, the captain, set a fine example as a leader. There were some willing exchanges I between the forwards and some unnecessary tackling, but on the whole I the game was not a difficult one for Mr i L. M. Wright, of Dunedin, to control. Messrs W. H. Cerutti and C. A. Kerse were the line umpires. The teams lined out as follows:— > SOUTHLAND. (Maroon). Full-back.—R. Sharp. Three-quarters.—C. Milne, N. A. Mit- , chell (captain), A. Sutherland. | Five-ejghths.—G. Thomas, M. Ham- ! ilton. | Half-back.—J. Purdue. | Front row.—L. George, W. Sherriffs, I J. Mattingly. ! Middle row.—W. Parker, R. Ward, N. i Irwin, W. L. Crawford. Back row.—T. Metcalfe. AUSTRALIA. (Green and Gold). Full-back.—K. P. Storey. Three-quarters.—A. D. McLean, B. C. Egan, R. Rankin, J. D. Hammon. Five-eighth.—L. S. Lewis. Half-back.—V. Richards. Front row.—J. H. Malone, A. H. Stone, R. J. Walden. Middle row.—F. E. Hutchinson, K. M. Ramsay, R. L. Kelly, K. S. Windon. Back row.—O. L Bridle. The Play. ' The teams filed out promptly at 3 I ( o’clock and marched on to the field be-

tween two lines of pipers. The sun was shining strongly as Rankin kicked off for Australia. Southland played with the sun and wind at its back. Australia won the first line-out and the backs got going at once, but the passing went straight across the field and was easily checked. I Australia won the first scrum and once ' again went away with passing. The I Southland backs were bustled and only the indecision of the visiting backs prevented the scoring from being opened. The first five minutes of play were very ragged, although the strong wind accounted somewhat for the poorness of the passing movements. Richards was penalized for picking the ball out of a scrum and Hamilton kicked high to Egan, who was caught in possession on the twenty-five line in front of the posts. A scrum was formed and Southland gained possession, but the backs were too slow to do anything with the ball. Sharp came into the play when he ran strongly and cross-kicked for Milne, but Hammon intercepted and saved for Australia. Southland raised a cheer after ten minutes’ play when the backs went away from a line-out and Mitchell cut through brilliantly. He was caught from behind but managed to get his pass away to Sutherland who was tackled a few yards from the line. Purdue was quickly up to the"play and sent in a long pass to two or three in support, but the pass was not taken and Australia had a “life.”

The Australians were shaping disappointingly and breaking down in their passing rushes every minute or so. Hamilton next had the crowd on its toes with a break which took him I through to Storey, who was bustled to clear. The next moment Hamilton was again prominent. He brushed aside three tackles and passed out to his supports, only to see the pass go astray. Australian Attack. For the first time in the game, the Australians looked like scoring when McLean raced 50 yards down the far touchline before centring to Walden who had raced up the middle of the field in anticipation of a foot-pass. Walden had the line at his mercy, but could not gather in the ball and a certain five points went begging. | For a short period the Australians threatened Southland’s line, and Bridle and Walden figured in some bright play. Hammon beat one marker but was collared by Milne just as he was making headway. There was a stoppage for a leg injury to Hammon. The visitors were now throwing the ball about freely, and the Maroons appeared to be rattled. It was only faulty handling that was keepihg Australia from scoring. The visitors were getting the ball from all avenues. Southland’s only hope was ground play. Egan was injured when tackling Mitchell, but carried on. After 20 minutes’ play, Ramsay made a great break from a line-out and raced to the full-back before passing to Bridle, who touched down amid applause. To the disappointment of the visitors the referee called Bridle back for a pass forward. Metcalfe was caught offside and Rankin was given a shot at goal. His kick, a good one, went outside the posts. Sutherland won applause with a brilliant kick against the wind to nearly half-way. The same player was prominent in a dash up the left wing. He dummied Storey, but was brought down from behind. The Australian forwards were now playing with much dash and were giving their backs plenty of ball to play with. A rush started by Storey was countered by some good footwork by the Maroon forwards, but a knock-on at the critical moment spoilt everything. Australia retaliated with a rush between backs and forwards which went from twenty-five to twenty-five. Southland’s tackling was shown up in a poor light in this play. After 25 minutes of play Mitchell opened the scoring for Southland with a dive for the corner following some

good work by Metcalfe. The Southland forward had gathered in smartly from some loose play and punted cleverly over Storey’s head. Mitchell was in support and beat Egan to the ball. Egan collared Mitchell from behind, but the Southlander had enough way on to carry him over the line. Mattingly failed to goal. Southland 3, Australia nil.

Heartened by its success, Southland 5 went away again and Mitchell was , again prominent in a dashing run. He beat two men and sent on to Suther--5 land, who once again was brought j down from behind. Pace was sadly . lacking in the Southland backs. This ’ was shown a moment later when Mct Lean worked a short throw-in in Southland’s twenty-five and received a 1 return pass to race over as he was J tackled by Sharp. Rankin’s kick failed. : Southland 3, Australia 3. Metcalfe was responsible for a divers- ’ ion when he followed up a long kick ; which went over Australia’s line and ! the ball was permitted by Storey to ' trickle into touch-in-goal. Metcalfe • made a flying leap as the ball neared the line and just failed by inches to ' get there. He caused amusement, however, by upending Storey in his dive. Some exciting play followed. Sharp ■ took a kick by Bridle in his stride and raced up the left flank before sending in to his supports. Once again, however, a good chance went astray. Thomas was the next to put Southland on attack, a long kick of 60 yards going out a yard from the comer flag. The kick was aided by the strong wind. Half-time sounded almost immediately. The Second Half. The sun was just as strong, but the wind had dropped considerably, when i the second half began. Sutherland put Southland on attack with a dashing run up the centre. He sent on to Mitchell who beat the defence and was just racing into his stride when he was brought down from behind. Crawford was in support, however, and used his ' feet cleverly, but Rankin saved well. Australia was penalized in a forward exchange and Mattingly kicked a good goal. Southland 6, Australia 3. As in the first half, Southland took scrums in preference to line-outs, but it was in its rucking that it gained any advantage in ball possession. Purdue and Thomas worked several movements which roused the crowd and from one of these Mitchell cut in brilliantly and sent on to Milne, who had a clear field. The pace of the Australian backs was much in evidence here and once again the attackers were brought down from behind. Some exciting exchanges fol- : lowed. Sharp twice came into the play and gave his backs an opportunity. First ; Thomas, then Sutherland, tried to break through, but the visitors’ defence at this stage was magnificent. A sortie on Australia’s line favoured Southland and the ball came back to Sutherland, who potted from close in. His kick went wide, and Australia got relief. Southland was now getting plenty ■ of ball, but it was of little use to the backs, whose passing was very disappointing. After a quarter of an hour’s play, Purdue made an opening for Thomas and Metcalfe. The ball was kicked over Australia’s line and Sutherland won the race to the touchdown. Mattingly missed with an easy kick. Southland 9, Australia 3. ’ Lively Exchanges. .

An unfortunate incident occurred at this stage. Ward ran after a high kick by Purdue and made no apparent effort to play the ball at all. Instead, he charged wildly into Rankin, who was bowled over. The referee rightly awarded a- free kick for late charging. Some willing exchanges followed; also some fast passages in which the Australians threw the ball about freely, if wildly, and ran the Southland backs off their legs. One movement saw Hammon get clear and send the ball in to Malone who was brought down a few yards from Southland’s line. It was a near thing for Southland. Play became very ragged, neither side displaying any accuracy in handling and

breakdowns were frequent. Bridle changed the order of things with a bright run which threatened danger until his pass went astray. Sharp was bustled and Hammon put Australia on attack with a kick to Southland’s twenty-five. From a scrum, the ball went through the Australian backs to the right wing, McLean, who easily outpaced Sutherland and Hamilton and touched down behind the posts for a spectacular try. Rankin missed a “sitter” from right in front of the posts. Southland 9, Australia 6.

Southland continued to get plenty of ball, but Purdue made the mistake of throwing it out to his backs who made little or no headway in passing rushes. One rush almost cost Southland a try, but McLean was unable to gather in the ball when near the line. The venue of played changed in a flash; Southland cut in on Australian passing in mid-field and Mitchell was getting possession about the half-way mark. He raced away and although tackled by the fullback and another Australian got a clever pass away to Ward, who raced over at the corner and ran round behind. the posts. Hamilton converted. Southland 14, Australia 6.

The Australians tired in the final stages of the game, but the backs were always fast enough to halt the Southland attack. Just on time, a long kick went out within a few yards of Australia’s line, but despite determined efforts by the Maroons, Australia kept its line intact. The final scores were:— Southland 14 Australia 6 FIFTH GRADE MATCH OLD BOYS DEFEATS PIRATES. Playing on Rugby Park as a curtain-, raiser to the Southland-Australia match Old Boys’ fifth grade team defeated Pirates by 30 points to nil in a bright game which provided a pleasant prelude to the big match. Old Boys’ backs were strong on defence and overshadowed the opposing backs on attack. There was too much fumbling of the ball when it was sent out from scrums, however, and the display given by the Old Boys’ backs was marred by their faulty handling. Miller, the Old Boys winger, played an outstanding game and used his pace to advantage, scoring four tries. In the Old Boys forwards, McNee was prominent. Wesney, for Pirates, played a good game. For Old Boys, tries were scored by McNee, Robison, Polson (2) and Miller (4), while tries were converted by Luzmoor and Cowie (3). Mr M. D. Clark was the referee.