ART OF BACKING UP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 471, 4 June 1932, Page 10

ART OF BACKING UP.

Northern Forwards and Backs Combine Well. SOUTH HARD PRESSED. The Northerners showed that they appreciated the value of getting in the first punch. When the South Island’s kick off was fielded the ball was sent high into the air and the fast North Island pack smashed their way through to the full-back and were under the ball when it came down. Right from the jump off they had the South Island bustled. Kilby was the personification of nippiness in getting his backs going, but a penalty was ruled and the South cleared.

South quickly recovered from the shock of North’s first burst and the backs showed their worth when a rush penetrated deep into the North twenty-five. Hart had two attempts to get through on the right wing, but was well marked. Fine Forward Rush. The North Island forwards were showing dangerous form in the loose and one rush which covered threequarters of the length of the field, paved the way for the first try of the match. South fell back in hasty retreat and were well bustled when Bul-lock-Douglas went over wide out for his try. Connolly was the only man defending in this corner and besides Bullock-Douglas he had to contend with two others. When Connolly got his man there was no one there to stop Bullock-Douglas. It was the same thing when the North Island’s next try came along. Ilart had to block four men. He got one, but three were left to pass the ball among themselves before Solomon touched down. It was cooperation between the forwards and backs that was putting the North Island ahead. They were teaching the South a grim lesson in the art of backing up. When Max, Metcalfe and Purdue headed a rush by the South Island forwards that bowled the defence down like ninepins the crowd on the bank gave them all the encouragement and advice that they needed with enough left over for next year’s match as well.

The rush did not materialise in a try, but it had the effect of gladdening the hearts of the southerners for it indicated -what the team could do when put to it. With a great dash along the line Bullock-Douglas, the fast Northern right winger showed that he had found the route to the goal line. Solomon started the rush and tossed the ball out to Caughey who sent on to the wing. Three minutes later he sped down the same path for his third ti^y. So far it had been the North Island’s day. The South were outplayed in the forwards and out-generalled in the backs. Half-time came with North showing a lead of 14 points to nil. Remain on Field. Obeying the ruling of the New Zealand Rugby Union the teams did not leave the field at half-time. North repeated their tactics of the first half by opening the second with An attack that ended in a try before the Southerners had realised that action had been resumed. This time it was Steere who found his way through the defence. Play was gradually becoming a debacle for the South Island and when Caughey picked up a dropped pass he made a fine run before sending

on to M’Lean, who easily smashed his way past Connolly to score. The South defence was cut to pieces by the next rush by the Northerners, which Lilburne engineered. All the backs were out of position, and it was an easy matter for Bullock-Douglas to cover forty yards at top speed to score a try. One to Hart. For the first time the South Island realised what an asset they had in Hart’s speed and when the ball travelled out to him he did the rest with distinction. Ball could not get near him in the wonderful dash that he made. Connolly sent over a beautiful goal from near the side-line. With this great dash Hart must have caught the eye of the selectors, who no doubt could see in him and Proctor two of the fastest wingers New Zealand has produced for a long time. Andrews Over. Taking a leaf from the North Island book, the South Island forwards went through in a smashing attack, and, with Max, Cottrell, Manchester and Andrews going at top, there was no stopping them. The defence crumpled under the weight of this terrific rush, and Andrews touched down behind the goal posts. This effort cost him dearly, for he suffered an injury which caused his retirement. Connolly sent over a goal that brought the gap in the scores down to 15 points, South were still on attack when Day and Oliver dropped their passes. The North made no bones about breaking through, turning defence into attack. Kilby was streets ahead of Simon behind the scrum, and Lilburne was a rock on defence and a constant thorn in the side on attack. Solomon, Rover. Solomon was the greatest roving forward on the field. He seemed to be everywhere, and more than once made an extra man in the backs, a service that was invaluable to his side. The Day-Oliver combination, from I

which so much was expected, failed dismally at Day's end of it. There was no such weakness in the North Island backs, who sent the ball out snappily and confidently to Bullock-Douglas, who answered every call made on him with a dashing