BRITAIN'S VICTORY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 85, 26 June 1930, Page 6

BRITAIN'S VICTORY

SHIELD HOLDERS LOSE

CONDITIONS HOT THE BEST

FORWARDS BATTLE FORWARDS

INVFRCARGILL, June 25

The British Rugby team defeated Southland this afternoon by nine points (two tries and a penalty goal) to three (penalty goal), aftoi a "'osoly contested game which was ~..aei-. pally of a forward nature. The attendance' was estimated at about SOUO. The ground v. a.-, in such a state after rain for sew:.;] days thai, an exhibition of spectacular Rugby was out of fhe question, as the ball soon became very heavy and greasy and difficult to hai die with any degree of accuracy. Although the weather improved yesterday it became worse to-day and there were several heavy showers before the game commenced. However, the rain heid off practically throughout the game, the exception being just at the start of the second spell, when a particularly sharp shower was experienced. Little Betwesn Forwards.

Despite the 1 nfavourablc condition? the British backs gave fleeting glimpses of what they are capable of in the way of snappy passing bouts, but these were not frequent and th. game resolved itself into a battle between two fine packs of forwards. There was little to choose between the two vanguards, but the Britishers held a sligii! advantage in the serums. The visiting backs were given more of the ball than the Southland rearguard, but frequently the ball did not get past Spoug who often preferred to kick, or attempt to cut through rather than link up with his supports. • Although the ,two full-backs did not have a great deal of solid tackling to do they were called on repeatedly to stop vigorous forward rallies, and in their work both came through with flying colours. In the first spell Southland had the sun at their backs, and had the advantage of the wind and did the bulk of attacking. Their efforts being rewarded with a penalty goal. Britain gained a try in this spell after a series of rapid attacking movements. With scores even at half time it was thought that Britain, with the wind behind theln, would score comfortably, but the Southlanders contested every inch of ground, with the result; that Britain were able to add only one more try and a penalty goal. The game was marked by numerous penalties, most of which were given against the Britishers. The teams were as follows: Britain. Bassett Reeve Aarvold Knoudes Jones-Davies Spong Murray O'Neill Parker lvendrew Farrell Dunne Welsh Beamish Wilkinson Reserves: Bonner, H. Jones, Poole, Jennings. Southland. Norris Geddes Porter Diack Sharpes .Nivcn Johnson C. George L. Gcorgo Gait Purdue Hazlett Metcalfe McKenzio Bell Southland won the toss and Britain kicked off facing the sun and wind, the ball going into "touch on the visitors' side of half-way. The British backs obtained possession from a scrum and indulged in a bout of passing. Tho handling was very accurate, but no ground was gained. The visitors were then penalised and the kick shifted play to the British twenty-live. Tho ball was sent out to Jones-Davies on the wing and kicked straight out. at the twenty-five. Following the throw-in Britain were penalised again and from a fairly easy angle, Diack goalcd. Southland 3 Britain 0

.Southland wore soon back on attack and heeled from the scrum at the twenty-five, but were penalised for an infringement and play was returned to midfieid. Murray shot round the scrum, but wn < pulled down before going far. With a loose rush Britain 's forwards in\ aded Southland's territory, but Geddca cleared after a good run and kicked to half-way. Bell pro vided a thrill by cutting off a pass from Murray to Spong, but he was not supported and had to lose possession by punting. The move, however, had gained some ground for Southland, whose backs now showed out in a passing rush which ' t'Oke down when Diack Avas pulled down before getting iu his transfer. Southland Attacking. Southland were now attacking strongly and were a few yards from tlio British line. The visitors gained a slight advantage following a line-out, hut wore penalised a few moment later v:\wn Wilkinson was caught off-side.

Diack just failed to goal. Murray again attempted to spt the British backs in motion, but Spong ran into trouble when attempting to cut in. Another free kick was awarded to Southland and Diack had a fruitless shot from near the half-way line. Bell headed the maroons in a rush to the British twenty-five, where the attackers were penalised. They came b;u-k again almost immediately, Bassett finding the line with a well-directed kick. Again Britain were penalised for offside play and Diack found the line inside the British twenty-five. The defenders cleared to neutral ground where, from a scrum, the backs gained possession and went away in a bout of passing. The ball went out to JonesDavies, who ran past the half-way line before being brought down. The British forwards were looking dangeruus in a loose rush when a. timely line

kick by Purdue pulled tho.m un inside the twenty-five. From ;i. line-out Farroll made a great breaic, which was brought to fruition when Reeve (lushed across at the corner. Parker made ;i good, though unsuccessful, attempt to convert against the wind. Britain ;! Southland -> Southland followed this with a rush to the visitors' twenty-five and secured possession from the scrum, the pass out being a poor one ami enabling the Britons to clear to less dangerous rrround. There Britain were penalised, J)ir.ck's kick at goal falling short,.

Beamish, Parker and Welsh showed out in a rush which took play to half way, the respite being short-lived as Southland were quickly back again. Just on half time Southland were awarded a free kick for off-side play, but Porter failed to find the uprights. Neither side left the held at halftime, and when the whistle blew for the resumption a heavy shower wjls falling. Past following up by Kendrew and Parrell saw Morris caught in possession and tight play followed on Southland's twenty-live. Pain and sleet were still pelting down as Britain vainly launched another offensive through their back division. Bell showed out in a dribbling rush ami then Diack found the line at the British twenty-live. The backs on both sides were making efforts to throw the ball about, but were finding it very difficult to handle. A likely movement on the Southlanders* right wing raised the hopes of the crowd, but the do fence held and, in subsequent play, the British forced the attackers to half-way. A long ground kick was fielded by Porter, who was caught in possession and penalised for lying on the ball. The kick was taken by Parker from a fairly easy position, but the ball went outside the posts. The weather had now cleared, _ but there was still a strong wind. Britain held the advantage for a time and when Murray sent a pass out to Spong the' latter short punted to a gap. Diack, however, ran back and, gathering the ball in well, found the line just past the twenty-live. Bassett was doing good work for Britain, his line kicking being very accurate. A scrum infringement on the part of Britain gave Ha/.lett a chance of gaining ground for Southland and this was followed by a rush towards Britain's twenty-live, Bassett pulling the attackers up. Play was.mainly confined to the-forwards, but was fairly fast and, at times, quite exciting. The British backs swung into action following a line-out. The ball was passed along the chain to J ones-Da vies, who droppod it on reaching the twenty-five. Here Southland were penalised and Parker landed a line goal with a heavy ball. Britain •' Southland 3

Britain were played into :i good position when Spoiij; kicked through and t'ouml the line inside Southland 'a twenly-fivc. The same player attempted to go through on his own on receiving the ball from Murray, but ho did not get i.ar'. Southland were busy defending at this stage and, from u scrum 15 yards out, Rlurray worked tlio blind side, passing to Spong, to IJecve, who was held up. .In succeed' iiig iit.'iy Kendrcw was awarded a try in a liandv position. Parker failed to goal. Britain .. .. ,< •' Southland '. ."• Norris, the Southland full back, was playing a sound game and successfully repulsed a British forward offensive. The Southland vanguard then swept, on to past half way, further ground being gained when Geddes booted into touch. The advantage was not held for long, Beamish breaking away and punting .towards the goal line. The ball just lolled over and Norris had plenty of time to force down. When Knowles failed to take a pass from Spong the mistake was turned to account by Bell breaking through and kicking on to half-way. Jones-Davies Hashed down the left wing, but, kicked too hard, the ball going over the deadball line. The game ended with play in Southland's ground, with the scores:— HHITAIN 9 SOUTHLAND a Mr (!■. Marston, Dunedin, was the referee.