NORTH TOO GOOD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19368, 27 July 1925, Page 6

NORTH TOO GOOD

SOUTH ISIaAND VANQUISHED IN RAIN AND MUD. BRILLIANCY OF THE BACKS. LARGE CROWD AND A FINE GAAIE (Per Press Association.7' INVERCARGILL. July 25. Inxorcargill Rugby fans were doomed to disappointment as regards Ihe staging of their first inter-Island match to-day. Despite atrocious weather conditions large crowds turned out To sec North and South play at Rugby Park. .Recent heavy rains on Saturday, after a long spell of dry weather, soaked the playing area, which soon became very muddy and slippery. Driving rain fell practically throughout the game, making good play out of the question, but the backs nevertheless handled magnificently, especially the North Island in the second spell. The honours of the game were decidedly with North, who spurted in the second spell, when Mill sent his backs away repeatedly from Kncs-out and scrums. In the. first spell South held the upper hand almost io half time. The forwards set up a series of dashing rushes, beating the heavier opposition nine times out of ton, but there was no finish to their play, however, and several chances went begging. OUTSTANDING PLAYERS. Nepia nt all times was brilliant, and generally, managed to clear. In this spell Steel (West Coast') and Reid (Nelson) displayed good football both in attack and defence. South had at least, half a dozen penalties, most of them in front of the posts, but all were missed. In ihe second spell the North backs asserted their superiority and threw the greasy ball about at Xndom. The übiquitous Cooke, ever alert, made brilliant, openings. Mill excelled in getting the ball away from rucks and scrums, and gave his backs hosts of chances. Nepia retired in this spell owing to an injury to a leg. Cooke going to full-back. The captains had agreed to replacements ten minutes after half-time. IN THE LIMELIGHT. Porter, Irvine and M. Brownlie shone in forward dashes. Blake was heady and made most of his opportunities. although he did not outshine Reid. Collier and Falwasscr were only fair. Dailey was great in defensive work, and revelled in the. muddy conditions. Robilliard put in some good runs. Richardson. Masters, Burt and Gerard were prominent in the forwards right through. Taking everything into consideration generally and the conditions in particular. a good game was served up, a bit willing at times, bul the spirit was good. North displayed superior tactics and deserved their victory. Referee Torrance made the game as open as possible. THE GAME. South played with the wind in the first half. Five minutes after the kickoff Steel fielded well and put a long kick over the North line, and Nepia forced. Shortly after Nepia again forced from a South forward rush. North were penalised and Steel made a great attempt with the wet ball. Nepia lidded a speculator from a South forward and punted to Harris, who fumbled and regained. Nepia coming uf) fast, tackling him. ball and all. Penalties were frequent at this stage. South were penalised for handling, but Nepia missed al goal. Steel and Reid missed two further shots at goal. Reid’s right in front. Flay was mostly in North’s half. A fine cut-in by Bell just failed. Bell missed another easy penalty. The game was now a forward j scramble, with driving rain showers . making matters most unpleasant. Gerard and Steel took play to the I North line, where Irvine was off-side, , and Richardson just missed goaiing. ' Play hovered near the North line for ' some minutes. Then from a line-out j Masters and Richardson went over to- j gether, the former being awarded a { try. Richardson converted: South 5 North 0 North retaliated .sensationally with a { sweeping rush to the South line, where Cooke dashed over under the posts. Nepia converting. Half-lime arrived I wiih the points even: North 5 South 5 SECOND SPELL. After the kick-off Cooke made a great cut-in. beating Harris, but Dailey came up fast and saved. Robilliard and Bell returned play to North territory. Nepia clearing. Irvine and Walters followed in a fast dribbled rush oxer the South line, Walters scoring near the corner. Nepia converted, the ball striking the bar and skidding a cross: North 30 South 5 The game was n<nv very willing. From a line-out Fallwasser fielded a bad pass smartly and sent out to Blake, who crossed unopposed. Nepia failed with the kick: North 13 South 5 South forwards rushed play to the North line, where over-eagerness spoilt i a certain try. Nepia cleared and loose play followed. Lan glands picked up a waiting ball and scored between the posts. Porter missed with the kick: North 36 South 5 South attacked fiercely, and in a forward melee Nepia injured a leg and

went off. South kept pressing, bul fine defensive work by the North backs held them, and time sounded with the NORTH ISLAND 36 SOUTH ISLAND 5