RUGBY WIN FOR HOME TEAM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23281, 17 August 1945, Page 7

RUGBY WIN FOR HOME TEAM

Representative Game Canterbury Beaten In The Mud Playing the correct type of game for the day South Canterbury defeated the Canterbury touring side in the representative game at Fraser Park yesterday by 8 points to nil. South Canterbury’s points came from two tries, the second being converted. The game was witnessed by a large attendance of the public. The home team owed their victory entirely to their forwards, as was to be expected under such conditions. The local eight worked as one man on the wet field, and their- dribbling rushes were well controlled. Every time a forward broke through he was ably supported by at least two others in a manner reminiscent of the South African touring team before the war. At the present time Fraser Park is probably in the worst condition it has ever been. Hardly any of the original turf is left, the greater part of the playing area being sticky mud which, apart from giving off an unpleasant odour, was of a watery consistency in the middle of the field.

Canterbury made the mistake in the first half of hooking the ball to their backs, which was surprising considering the state of the ground. The ball was so wet and greasy that the rearguard could do nothing with it. They were caught flat-footed in the sticky mud, the fast breaking South Canterbury side-row men getting around to catch the half-back and first fiveeighths before they had time to do anything. Behind the Canterbury scrum Vincent stood up to a lot of punishment, but appeared loath to go down on the ball. Their star man in the back line was Harvey, the full-back, who had been brought in at the last moment to replace Callanan. This player’s kicking was long and accurate and his handling and rush stopping, of which he had a great deal to do, was beyond reproach. His opposite number Goddard, was equally as good, and he saved South Canterbury with his accurate boot, always getting the line and saving his forwards needless chasing of the ball.

In the loose Mulcahy, who is a front row forward, showed up to such an extent as to be perhaps the most outstanding forward on the ground. Along

with Wakelin, Edwards, and Hobbs, his control of the ball in the dribbling rushes was beyond reproach, and with N. Ivey and Bryce he did his share of the tight rucking. Rothwell and Fitzgerald were equally as good for the visitors, and in the line-outs McKenzie and Duff got Canterbury the lion’s share of the ball. In the second half no points were scored by either side, and Canterbury adopted the tactics of the home team of keeping the ball in the tight, relying on loose dribbling rushes to gain ground rather than have their backs flounder in the mud. Kicking off with the sun behind them, South Canterbury rushed the play to the Canterbury 25. From a ruck, the ball was shot across the field; Prattley, the South Canterbury centre threequarter, snapped it up and dived over. His attempt at goal missed. South Canterbury 3 Canterbury 0. After this reverse the Canterbury forwards began to settle down and pack tightly, giving their backs a run with the ball. On several occasions, the Canterbury rearguard made some dangerous runs, but determined tackling coupled with a ball which was almost too greasy to handle, caused their movements to break down. Palmer, the Canterbury left wing came down the sideline in a run which looked dangerous, but he was brought down hard and low by Eathorne. Led by McKenzie and Fitzgerald, Canterbury were working well as a pack, and hammered for the line. Eathorne dribbled clear,

I’. G. Fitzgerald

kicked past the Canterbury custodian and brought play back to the Canterbury 25 line. In the loose, the South Canterbury forwards, led by Mulcahy, Wakelin, Campbell and Hobbs, were keeping the defence busy. Hobbs took the ball at his toe past the posts to score. Lundy converted. South Canterbury 8 Canterbury fl. A well-judged kick brought play to the South Canterbury 25. The home team cleared, but Harvey, the Canterbury full-back lined but near the corner flag to put Canterbury within scoring range again. Parsons relieved the pressure dribbling past half way. In the loose; rushes, South Canterbury were vastly superior to their opponents

and brought the crowd to their feet with controlled efforts which carried play within scoring distance, Canterbury forcing to relieve the pressure. The spell ended South Canterbury 8 Canterbury 0. On the resumption of play the game remained in midfield for a long period, especially in the muddiest part of the ground, where both teams found great difficulty in keeping their feet. A loose rush by the South Canterbury forwards brought play from half-way to the Canterbury line, where a scrum was ruled by the referee. A free kick relieved the pressure for Canterbury. Periodically the game was held up while the players went to the touchline to have their faces and eyes cleared of mud.

Backing one another up splendidly the Green forwards held play in the Canterbury 25. their dribbling rushes testing the defence. For a long spell all the Canterbury backs did was dive on the ball to stop the forward rushes of their opponents. The visiting forwards showing plenty of spirit and loose rushes, with Fitzgerald and Rothwill in the van, brought play right to South Canterbury’s line, a force down resulting. Parsons, who had been playing a solid game behind the pack, took the ball at his toe around the scrum out of the danger zone. The game ended with play in midfield and the score : South Canterbury 8 Canterbury 0. The referee was Mr L. K. Murray. TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW Celtic Club Seniors v. Southern-Huimal at Fraser Park at 2.45 p.m.:—Mulcahy, Butler, Robinson, Goddard, Roseveare, Burt. Jackson, Cox, Fairbrother. O’Brien, Sullivan, Lester, Fitzgerald. Wedderell, Schaab, Laws, Forde. Fifth Grade V. Star, at Fraser Park, at 1.30 p.m.:—Fitzgerald. Woodale, Batchelor, Cronin, Mulcahy, Green, Boddye. Mcßarron, Laws, Bunting, Taylor, Pearce. Skudder, Jackson McCambridge, Gibb. Star Club Fifth grade v. Celtic, at Fraser Park, 1.30 p.m.:—Johnston (2), Stewart (2), McKenna, Moore. Wright, Howie, Fitt, Gibson, Gudsell, Smith, Hull, Ross, Keenan. Young, Fraser. Zingari Club Seniors v. Star, Fraser Park No. 2, 2.45 p.m.—Bray, Hanson (2), Smith. Fraser, Pelvin. Howey (2). Andrews, Scott, Munro, Dore, King. Baker, Cormack, Stirling. McMasters and Peggie. “The rate at which we live now, the rush, the hurry and anxieties of modern life,’’ says Dr. Meadows Browne, a Manchester specialist, "doubtless accounts for the greatly increased demand for tobacco in one shape or another in England to-day.” But the increased demand for tobacco is not confined tc the Old Country. It's lust as much in evidence here in New Zealand, and may be largely attributed to the same cause—the general unrest. Happily for smokers in this part of the Empire, we have, in “toasted,” tobacco of superlative quality, and its calming, soothing influence when the mind is working at. full pressure and black care oppresses cannot be overrated. ‘Toasted” is not only remarkable for its purity, but in other respects—flavour and aroma—ranks with the worlds choicest tobaccos There are only six varieties of the real toasled—Cut Plug No. 1(1 (Bullsliead> Cavendish, Novy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold and Poc'r. ' Edition, also Riverhead and Desert Gold tailormades. All toasted ais.l no sore throat, no cough! —Advt.