BRITAIN 40 TO 16

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1930, Page 11

BRITAIN 40 TO 16

BACKS DOMINATE PLAY LOSERS BRILLIANT FOR TIME 12,000 SEE SPARKLING PLAY COMBINED SIDE THRASHED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, Aug. 2. In a sparkling game in which the visiting backs dominated play throughout the major portion of the contest, Britain defeated the combined Waikato, Kino- Country and Thames Valley representatives at Rugby Park to-day by 40 points to 16. J'here was only one team in it in the first spell, when Britain led by 24 points to 5, but on resumption Combined infused more dash into the game and up till midway through the second half had Britain defending strongly. Combined backs opened out and with a determined forward pack treated the terraces to some bright exchanges. It was not until a few minutes before time thar. the fast pace set began to tell, to let the visitors through for a succession of three tries. The crowd, a record one in Hamilton Rugby circles, was estimated at over 12,000. Murray was smart belli nd the British scrum. Spong, while he pleased the crowd with many dazzling runs, was at times erratic in his passing. Bowcott was a reliable man at all times and probably the best of the British team. Aarvold rose to test heights on occa-sions,-while Navis and Reeve, the wing men, showed their pace on several oc- <■ Hons. While not a Bassett, Bonner, •who substituted as full-back, was generally safe. The forwards were an even lot with O’Neill, Farrell and Beamish always toiling hard, while Ivor Jones was a specialist in tho loose. Both lie ano Black showed-their value by goalkicking. LOCAL SIDE IMPROVES. The local side, while well outclassed in the first spell, played effectively for the greater part of the second half. The pass.ng they attempted lacked penetration. They were an even lot with Allen and Mitchell the best of their forwards. The backs were dashing at times, but the speed of the opposing backs bothered them. Storey, Hooper and Reynolds were the pick of an even lot. The home side kicked off but the visitors were soon on the offensive and Murray sent Reeve away, but the winger wtiis soundly ’tackled. Spong then opened up and from an infringement in a handy position Black lauded a fine goal within 3J minutes of play. The visitors kept up the attack. Making goed use of the line, they had the home side defending solidly. From a scrum a bad pass by Spong allowed'St. George to break through. The British rearguard swung into, action, Spong, Bowcott, Aarvold and Novis handling for the winger to score in- the corner. Britain 8, Combined 0.

Play had been in the visitors’ favour un to this stage, the ball anchoring in the ’ ome twenty-five. The next points cartie when Novis flashed down the line to oass infield to Ivor Jones, who went over unopposed. Black added the extra points. The speed of the British rcar-

guard had the defence in trouble. The Combined forwards broke away several times, but Bonner was on his game and he let little past him. The visitors were again within striking distance from a smart kick by Aarvold and from a penalty in the twenty-five Ivor Jones increased the British tally to 14. The Combined forward.? forged down to the British line but the movement, lacked penetration. Reeve was next to increase the tally when he finished a sparkling movement to go over at the goal. Ivor Jones converted the try. CROWD ON ITS FEET. With Britain 19 points ahead the Combined team brought the crowd to its feet when the forwards carried all before them. From solid play close to the line Leeson snapped up to hoist the home side’s first contribution. Allen converted. The home forwards now went into it with greater vim but the tide was quickly turned when the visiting backs swung into line in characteristic style. Murray, Spong and Novis handled, Spong coming in again to gather a faulty pass and romp home at the goal. Black added the points to make Britain 24 fl’.d Combined 5 at half-time. On resumption Combined took the upper hand and a strong forward attack culminated in Storey’s scoring. Allen converted. The home side continued, the 0 Tensive, but from a line-out the visiting backs were fed for Novis to cap the movement with a line run that added another three points. The kick failed. Combined kept up the pressure and ths effort was successful when- Mitchell seeded a try. The essay at goal failed narrowly. Combined was over again after a torrid spell, but the kick failed. : There was only one side in it at the finish. Spong electrified the crowd with

: dazzling run that left the home side standing. His try was converted. Novis w ■ next to wo over and he was followed by Aarvold,’’who brought the visitors’ tally to 40 within a few minutes of time. The game ended:— Britain Coni biped /• 0 ; j . Mr. ~S. t J. Weston, Whapgarc?-,/WaA referee.., • ■ r , j; . . : .»/.'»!