PASSING BREAKS DOWN

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 8

PASSING BREAKS DOWN

PLAYERS SLIP ON GREASY GROUND

SUTHERLAND AGAIN PLAYS FINE GAME

(From Our Own Reporter) STRATFORD, September 13. Southland won the toss and played with the wind in its favour. The first line-out and first scrum favoured Southland, but the passing by the backs broke down.

Within a few minutes of the start, Saxton badly tricked the opposition, and, running from the scrum, raced away to the full-back and cross-kicked to R. G. Mahony’s wing. Taranaki had a narrow escape, the ball going out at the corner.

Johns was prominent in good saving and kicking. Southland was making all the play, but three times in succession Grace slipped as he went for an opening. The greasiness of the surface was proving a handicap and little headway was made. The success of the Southland forwards in all departments of play was most marked in the first quarter, but as soon as the ball got out to the backs ground was lost rather than gained. The Taranaki passing looked likely and Fleming was called upon to save a good burst by the Taranaki forwards. He did it well. Southland was penalized—the first of many penalties in the game—and Thomas shot for goal against the wind. His excellent kick was carried back by the wind. Grace used the line judiciously to gain position for Southland, but no sooner had that position been established than Southland was penalized. The forwards were puzzled by the referee’s scrum rulings. Three times in as many minutes their good work was halted by infringements. Southland was lucky to get out of an awkward situation when J. Sullivan straightened up the attack and beat Fleming. Sutherland got across quickly and, supported by Graham and Ward, managed to hold up the attack until the forwards got back. Taranaki had the upper hand at this stage and C. Sullivan made an extra man in when Taranaki got the ball from a scrum 10 yards from Southland’s line. A dropped pass gave Southland a chance of recovering and when the ball went over the line Southland forced. FORWARD EXCHANGES Southland had had much the better of the forward exchanges up to this, stage, but the backs were unable to capitalize the good work. Johns had his second kick at goal from a penalty and missed. At last the Southland backs got moving, only to see a dropped pass seized upon by the Taranaki backs, who bustled their way through and made a good scoring opening. J. Sullivan crowded Hayman on the line and Southland had another let off. Territorially, Taranaki was having the better of play until Graham booted the ball through the defence, but found Johns too sound.

Every minor infringement, including the barest of knock-ons was pulled up by the referee, who gesticulated with his arms and gave a demonstration to the forwards of how to go in the scrums. Herron got clear from a ruck and Southland had a chance until he passed forward to a support. Ward followed this up with a run of 40 yards. He raced away to the full-back and cross kicked to Mahony’s wing. The ball went over the line and the race was won by Johns, who forced. The tackling of both teams was superb and mainly because of it the exchanges quickly ended. Then Fleming failed to field a ground ball and the Taranaki forwards swarmed on to the line. A scrum was formed and Southland got relief when the referee penalized Arnold for putting the ball in unfairly. Just before half time, Southland forwards made two good breaks, but John’s defence was Gibraltar-like and he sent the attackers back with accurate kicks against the wind. Half-time came with no scores. SECOND HALF Southland began the second half strongly and Grace got clear in a run and centred to Calvert, who dropped the ball as he made a run. Taranaki cleared its line and the Sullivan brothers worked a quick throw-in at the 25 and J. Sullivan raced away to Southland’s line. Calvert forced the ball as it went over. The Taranaki forwards were playing with dash, and several times they paved the way for rushes by the backs. Taranaki was penalized within goaling distance. Fleming’s kick, a good one, went just outside the posts. PLAY SLOWED UP Scrum after scrum collapsed in the next 10 minutes and this, added to the frequent shrill of the referee’s whistle, tended to slow up the play. Johns had yet another kick at goal and missed. Southland was hard pressed for the next few minutes, but it managed to keep its line intact. The Taranaki backs swung from one wing to the other in attempts to break through and, by way of variety, Killeen dropkicked for goal. The kick missed. Ward made another solo break, and, with support from a good line kick by Fleming, Southland gained an attacking position. Twice good ground was lost near the Taranaki line, the referee awarding free kicks to Taranaki as soon as a scrum or ruck was formed. Marshall took the ball cleanly in a line-out and ran through to Johns, who stopped him, and when Southland was penalized Johns gained 50 yards with a magnificent kick. - A , Taranaki was dangerous following a drop-kick at goal by Fleming. His kick dropped short, and Killeen started the backs away in a rush which gained the length of the field. Southland was again penalized and Johns attempted another kick at goal. He missed. Taranaki was getting the ball from most of the scrums now and Southland was on the defensive. The backs

moved smartly and Hayman appeared to cross for a fair try, but the referee ruled tackled ball. Soon afterwards Calvert kicked to touch from behind his goal line, and when the ball was thrown in Maclean seized it and dived for the corner flag. He hit the flag but grounded the ball. Johns’s kick went wide. Taranaki 3, Southland nil. Southland made a good effort to win in the last five minutes. Mahony got clear at the halfway mark and ran up to the touch-line and passed to Sutherland, who was racing clear when J. Sullivan caught him from behind. It was Southland’s last chance to pull the game out of the fire. Sutherland made a valiant attempt to fend off Sullivan from behind, but he was unable to shake him clear and the game was saved and won for Taranaki. The game ended a minute later with the scores:— Taranaki 3. Southland 0.