SPRINGBOKS' TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1921, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS' TOUR.

VICTORY AT ROTORUA. BAY OF PLENTY BEATEN. MARGIN OF 12 POINTS. By Telegraph Press Association. Rotorua, Last Night. Four thousand witnessed the Spring-boks-Bay of Plenty match here to-day, when the Springboks won by 17 points to 9. The weather was fine, with a strong south-east breeze, and the ground was in good order. The Bay of Plenty representatives played a much superior gamp to that against New South Wales, their tackling being especially good. Their forwards held their own, but the screwings of the serums by the visitors gave the latter the ball on several occasions. The Springboks' line work, especially their kicking, was very good, and the combination and speed of their backs gave them their win. .X feature of the game was the large number of free kicks awarded Boy of Plenty through the visitors’ infringements.

De Villiers started the game by kicking into touch. After a series of passing rushes and scrums Bay of Plenty secured and Montgomery sent the ball to Wilson, who gained ground by kicking into touch. At this stage the locals were awarded a free kick and Borell sent the ball fairly between 'the- posts. Shortly afterwards Borell brilliantly stopped Van Heerden in full flight, after the ball had passed through the hands of Michau, Meyer and Weeponcr. Other good attempts by the visitors were stopped by Bay of Plenty's vigorous tackling. The locals also got the ball several times, but they could not get far. Then Michau secured the hall, which parsed through the hands of Sendin. Meyer and Weepener, the last-named scoring. De Villiers failed with the kick.

Further passing bouts followed and Cupples came away smartly from a lineout. The visitors infringed and Borell kicked a penalty goal. Shortly afterwards Roy Morkel marked and dropped a nice goal, equalising the scores. Van Heerden secured the ball after fine passing by Roy Morkel, Meyer and Weepener and scored, and De Villiers goaled. The first spell ended: Springboks 11 Bay of Plenty 6 In the second spell play went up and down the ground for several minutes. Meyer got the ball, which he passed to Weepener. who sent it to R. Morkel, who touched down. De Villiers missed with the kick. A succession of passing bouts followed and then the ball went through the hands of all the visitors’ backs, and Sendin scored a good try after a “pass in.” De Villiers’ attempt at goal failed. The Bay of Plenty representatives were playing determinedly, despite the adverse position of the /score. Towards the close of the spell Montgomery obtained the ball and transferred to Korariko. who cleverly pased to Iles. The last-named transferred to Borell, who crossed the line, scoring a very meritorious try. He took the kick himself, but missed. Two minutes later the bell rang and the game ended:— Springboks 17 Bay of Plenty 9

Though the scoring in the second spe 1 ! was in favor of the Springboks the Bay of Plenty representatives played well and in the first spell they had the worst of the luck.

•Mr. Meuli (Wanganui) was referee.