NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11966, 20 June 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND.

NORTH WINS. United Press Association. Ghristchurch, June 3. The match between the North and South Island teams was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon in fine weather and before a crowd, numbering between six and seven thousand. The game was strenuously contested throughout, but once play had settled down it was apparent that the North Island were the better team, and the Snnth never looked like winning. The Northern backs had much the better combination and played with more dash than their opponents, whose efforts were more or less spasmodic. The South Island forwards did some good work, but they were not well supported by their backs, and though they were more successfnl in their hooking than the Northerners they gained no advantage from this, for the smartness of the North Island backs quickly retrieved their position, and defence was turned into attack with lightning rapidity. The opening stages of the game were indecisive, but the North Island quickly got to work and a very strong attack was set up. Deans intercepted a pass and passed to Danaey, who was welljtackled by Mitchinson. Prom a shot at goal by Turtill the North Island were forced, but from this out the Northerners had much the better of the game. Their passing was, however, very frequently torward and this fact alone prevented tha score from being considerably larger finally. - A brilliant pgsing rush, in which practically all the North backs had a hand let Hunter over at the corner ; G, Spencer failing with the kick at goal. This was the only score at half time. In the second spell the North still held the upper hand, and it was but rarely that the ball reached their twentyfive. The only occasion, on which the South loooked really dangerous was when Fryer kicked high and Q Spencer failed to take the ball. The Canterbury player had followed up fast, but he overran the ball, and Hunter relieved the situation. Sound kicking by the North backs took play to the South goal line, and, after a hard forward struggle, Bailey scored; Wallace converting the try. In the closing stages of the game the South backs had one or two chances, but their handling of the ball was faulty. Just oa the call of time the North were attacking again and Roberts made an opening for Wilson, who scored an easy try, but Wallace failed with Wae kick at goal and time was called with the North winners by eleven points to nil.