THE SPRINGBOKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 252, 5 August 1937, Page 3

THE SPRINGBOKS

VICTORY OVER MANAWATU. BRAND’S FINE KICKING. (Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., August 4. Though the run of the play was much closer than the totals suggest, the South Africans scored a decisive victory over Manawatu by 39 points to three. In the first spell Manawatu, with a fair breeze behind them, held a territorial advantage and the forwards ably led by McKenzie, shared the honours of the set scrums and, if anything, had the better of the line-outs. The South Africans, however, backed up to a man and with great support from Brand their defence was much to sound for Manawatu to penetrate. Manawatu had two chances from penalties early, but both kicks, one fairly easy, went .astray, and 27 minutes after the start a penalty gave Brand his first chance. From the sideline just outside the twenty-five and dead into the wind he kicked a beautiful goal, the ball just floating over the cro9s-bar. The South Africans increased their score just before the spell ended, when Lyster brilliantly pierced the defence for a try near the posts. Brand made no mistake with the kick and the Springboks were eight points ahead. . , Points Rattled On. Within six minutes of the start of the second spell the Springboks had doubled their tally, the defence during that period being rather disorganised. Manawatu rallied, however, and after Edlin, the half-back, had cut round the scrum, Newman scored a wellearned try well out from the posts. Manawatu then held the Springboks for a period, but during the last quarter the visitors had matters practically their own way and they ran on another 23 points, 11 of which came from Brand’s fine goal kicking. In all Brand scored 21 points, and his kicking was really the feature of the match. The weather was fine and after steady rain the previous afternoon and during the night the ground, though slow, was in remarkably fine order. The attendance was estimated at 20,000. All Visiting Backs Good. The Springboks’ hacks were all good and they handled with confidence. Their passing rushes, however, were usually smashed before the ball reached the wings. When, the game started Craven was playing fly-half, but later he moved in to scrum-half. When it was thought the ground would be heavy Craven replaced Hofmeyer in the Springbok team, and Strachan replaced van Reenan. For the Springboks, Graven, Lyster and Brand appeared to be the best backs and Louw, Lotz and Bastard the best forwards. Bester did not see much of the ball until late in the game, but then proved himself a resolute and resourceful wing. The forwards always played as a pack and always gave the impression they had plenty in reserve. If this is not the Springboks’ strongest team, then New Zealand will have to produce its best to take the Test honours. To-day tli3 Springboks were just an ordinary team until the opportunity offered, and then the forwards and backs became brilliantly active and took a power of stopping, and their accurate short punting was a revelation. For the visitors tries were scored by Lyster (2), Lochner, Watt, Bastard ana F. Louw. Brand converted four and kicked three penalties and a- field goal. Manawatu’s try was scored by Newman. Short Passing Impressive. Interviewed after the game, the Manawatu captain, McKenzie, said it was a good, clean game, and that the experienced work of the Springboks’ forwards, particularly their short passing, had been most impressive. He also made mention of Brand’s fine kicking, and of the fact that the visiting backs always had an edge on the Manawatu back-line. •