NEVER BEATEN

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1931, Page 5

NEVER BEATEN

SOUTHLAND’S FINE BOAST

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY TOUR VISITORS ’ FIRST DEFEAT BUSTLING FORWARDS WIN By Telegraph.—Press Association. • Invercargill, Last Night. No Rugby combination from Australia has yet beaten Southland, and this record was maintained to-day, whe>* Southland defeated Australia by JOL' points to 8. . The match' was played in bright sunshine, without wind, and a very large 'crowd was treated to some attractive football. The ground was heavy after rain yesterday. Malcolm, the Australian half, got far of the ball than the Southland and repeatedly sent out clean passes, but did not get adequate, support from the inside backs. Late in the second spell the Australians launched attack after attack and succeeded in scoring twice. The fit and virile Southland pack played a great game, but were beaten for the ball in the scrums. Although given plenty of opportunities, the Australian backs 'seldom looked dangerous on attack, faulty handling 1 .ing mainly responsible. Australia won • the toss and played with the sun at their backs. The visitors were firs 4 ' to attack and a short ’ punt found a gap near the line, but the. ball went across the line and Southland forced. Cerutti had to leave the field owing to an injured leg, and was replaced by Bonis. The Australians were attempting to open up play, but the bustling tactics of the home forwards Veld them in check.

AUSTRALIANS’ MISTAKES. The visitors rapidly changed defence into attack when Tolhurst smartly gathered in a ball that was allowed to bounce, touc.' being found near the Southland line. Metcalfe headed the home pick in a great rush to the other end. Malcolm was sending out plenty - of the ball to his 1 supports, who were unable to make any headway against the opposing backs, who were closing in quickly. °Mistakes in handling were also contributing to the Australians’ failure to break through. A well direct- - ed kick by Porter found the line deep in Australia’s territory, where the visitors were called upon to defend strongly. A free kick relieved the pressure, but only momentarily, for Southland gained possession and after in and out passing Townsend touched down near the posts. Niven goaled. Southland ■ 5 Australia ' 0 A passing rush in which all the Australian rearguard took part ended with a short punt by Tolhurst, which Porter missed, and play settled in Southland’s twenty-five, the defenders forcing after a penalty kick by Ross failed to find the goal posts. Southland were first to gain an attacking position after the interval, Porter finding the line right at the corner flag. The clearing kick was marked by Porter,, who failed to goal from a handy position. From a line-out the ball went to Niven, who cut through the defence before passing to Crosbie, the latter racing across to touch down. The kick failed. Southland 8 Australia . 0 After a spell of defence the Australians worked their way upfield, and although the backs were swinging into action they were still falling into error. Geddes broke away-from his own twen-ty-five and ran past half-way, but the supporting player failed to gather in the ball. Geddes got away again, and this time punted over the line, and although he beat his opponent to the ball it had rolled into touch-in-goal. Southland’s next score came, when Metcalfe picked up and passed to Crosbie, who transferred to Geddes, the winger just getting across. No goal resulted. Southland 11 Australia 0 were having all the better & the game at this stage' and were over again within a few minutes of the last try, Crosbie touching down near the posts. An easy chance to goal was Blissed. ; Southland ~ 14 Australia .0 Eventually the visitors gained a favourable position, but simply could not find a gap in the sound defence of Southland. They broke through at last after several attacking movements, Judd diving over between the posts. Ross goaled. Southland ............... 14 Australia 5, Bright passing movements »on the part of the Australian backs followed, one of which nearly ended in a try. These tactics were persevered with, and finally gained a try at the corner, Tolhurst going across after Malcolm had Worked the° blind side. The kick failed.. Southland 14 Australia . 8