SERVICES WIN AT RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 2

SERVICES WIN AT RUGBY

NEW ZEALAND TEAM BEATEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 1. Though outhooked in the scrums and shaded in the rucks and line-outs the Services fifteen proved a more efficient combination than the New Zealand side in a grand Rugby finale played before 20,000 spectators at Athletic Park yesterday. It was the greater ability of the Services’ backs to exploit their fewer opportunities that . gave them a meritorious win by 22 points to 19. Services had first use of a strong northerly wind and ran up a 19-0 advantage at the interval. They scored four tries, two being converted, and a penalty goal. With the exception of one movement the tries came from the loose, the Services’ positional play being superior. Wiles scored twice through being handy to pounce on the ball when it came loose. ' It was expected that the New Zealand team would tijrn the tables after the interval. They called for scrums, but there was not the same smooth combination between Murdoch and Rae, five-eighths, as between Delamore and O’Callaghan. The New Zealand backs were also too bunched and easily bustled. Thus, despite the big advantage in possession, they ran up 19 points only. Services added to their tally with a grand try .in which Delamore, O’Callaghan and W. Me- j Hugh played the main roles. OUTSTANDING BACK Delamore (Services) was the outstanding back. Well served by Barchard, who gave a competent allround display, he rarely failed to give his supports some advantage. This enabled O’Callaghan, who replaced Everest, to show his undoubted ability, and on the run of the play he shaded Rae, whose handling was not as sure as usual. Wiles was favoured by the better run of the play than Roberts and did well. For the greater part all the wingers were crowded. W. McHugh had the best opportunities and showed fine style. Chief interest in the fullbacks centred in Sewell, from the Bay of Plenty. Small of stature, he nevertheless did some prodigious kicking. His handling was first-class, but his defence was not tested. Herman was the outstanding forward, fine performances also being given by M. McHugh, Gunning and Elliott. Prominent in the line-outs were McKenzie, Birchfield and Mclntosh (New Zealand) and Beadle, Elliott, Herman and Fraser (Services). Green was the finest forward with the ball at his feet. Christian and Connolly (New Zealand) were noticeable in some short passing movements. McKenzie and Mclntosh figured-in a fine short passing movement for New Zealand which led to a try. For Services Wiles (2), Barchard, Delamore and W. McHugh scored tries. O’Callaghan and Morrison converted one each and O’Callaghan kicked a penalty goal. For New Zealand Tetzlaff, Mclntosh, Abbott and Gunning scored tries, Murdoch and Sewell converting one each. Sewell also kicked a penalty goal. CANTERBURY BEAT OTAGO Match At Christchurch (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 1. Canterbury beat Otago at Rugby yesterday by 18 points to 9. Conditions were perfect and a large crowd watched an exciting game. Earlier this season at Dimedin Otago won by 15 to 8. In Saturday’s match Canterbury scored a converted try five minutes, after the start. Otago secured an unconverted try just before half-time and almost got another early in the second half. Otago, keeping up vigorous allin play, gained another unconverted try and went into the lead, 6-5. Their inside back play, especially on the part of R. Williams, was every bit as clever as Canterbury’s. At this stage it looked as if Otago would forge further ahead, but the complexion of the game‘changed when all -the Canterbury backs raced away in a beautiful co-ordinated movement right from their own 25, the full-back joining in. Cochrane scored spectacularly and Callanan converted. From now on the pace increased. Canterbury’s back play gained thrust and their handling lost its previous errors. Otago kept fighting back, but could not quite cope with the pacy combination of Canterbury. The scorers for Canterbury were Mitchell (2), Cochrane and Mullins, Callanan converting three. For Otago Currie and F. Williams (2) scored tries. MARIST TEAMS WIN AT j WINTON I A match between the Invercargill Marist third grade team and Winton A. T. C. at Winton on Saturday resulted in a win for Marist by 9 points to 3. McDermott scored three tries for Marist and Hill one for Winton. The Rev. H. Haig was the referee. The Invercargill Marist junior team defeated Winton District High School by 3 points to nil. Brother Wilfrid was referee.