All Black Trial Game At Timaru

Chronicle (Levin), 5 August 1948, Page 3

All Black Trial Game At Timaru

■ ■■ r «»■ .r . TJAIARU, August 4. ' uriie forwards doininated the Ali Black trial between Nortii Otago and the Ashburton' combined team and South Canterbury at Timaru today. It was a typical trial game with individuals end.eavouring to please the New Zealand and fe'outli Island selectors instekd of making the" match a team affair. Thanks to hard rucking forwards who showed speed in the loose, Wouth Canterbury won-by ll points- to nil. There was little to choose between Ihe two paeks until late in the game wlien the home side asserted themselves" in good rushes. The.f'ormer All Black forward, L. A. Crant, was outstanding and was well aided by J. Bryce and N. Hobbs in the forwards. South Canter bury backs seldom got going as a unit but it was pleasing to see J. Coutter playing his first representative mateh like a seasoned lialf back. M. P. Coddard had few opportunities but his brother, J. Coddard, gave the best exhibition of full back play seen on the ground for some time. -The AshburtonNprth Otago forwards produced good ones in J. Small (Ashburton) and W. Butler (Ashburton). The backs failed to penetrate but the North Otago half l. CampbeJl gave tliem great service. The selectors, after the mateh, said that a numbev of players wouJd be given tlic opportunity of proving themselves further at fhe second trial at Dunedin 011 August 14.