COMBINED TEAM WON 17—15

Chronicle (Levin), 12 September 1949, Page 6

COMBINED TEAM WON 17—15

GREYMOUTH, Sept. 11. The Wallabies lost tlie first match of Ihe tour 011 Saturday after a thrilling opou game with the combined Buller West Coast representatives who scored 17 points (a try cach by E. G. Walker and Anderson, a potted goal by A. Dickson, two penalty goals and a conversion by J. Lindboni) against 15 (three tries by R. Garner and one each by C. Windon and T. Allan). The Australians started at a fast pace, paeking a _ Springbok style ot scrum, but in the loose the combined team outplayed them. The first ten minutes was confined to the Australian half where Lindbom had three unsuccessful attempts at goal — two from penaltics over 10 yards out and one as a field goal. Play early hecame rough and the referee told the captains to get on with the game. The Australian forwards invaded the opposing 25 where Smallhoime relieved witli a toucli iinder. After a scrum in the Australians ' 25, Ryan kicked ahead, pieked up, sent to 6. Smallhoime and E. G. Walker scored in a handy position.

. Lindboni converted. The first try to Australia came from a scrum. Broad stab kicked, Allan reeeived and "passed 1° Davies, back to Allan who scored after 25 minutes play. Two minutes later Garner thrilled the crowd. He intercepted a pass from Neighbours to Walker at half way and beat three men to score wide Out. Allan missed the kiek. Led by Hagen, Mumin and Ryan, the conibined team rushed into the Australian 25 where Allan saved. Tempers were frayed, C. Wilson (Australia) being sent to the side-line until he cooled off and Combined being • awarded a penalty. Lindbom kicked an easy goal. Just before half time Garner again thrilled the crowd but was thrown mto touch by Lindbom. Half time score: Combined team 8, Australia 6'. The Australians, on resuming, foreed the pace. Blomley, Allan and Broad handled and Lindbom saved with a mark. Hagen and Dickson led a rusli into the Australian 25 where scvenil players obstructed. Furness was penalised and J. Lindbom kicked a tlurcl goal. Dickson kicked down into the Australian 25 where Allan caught D'avis, forcing him into touch. From the lineout Smallhoime passed to Dickson who •potted a goal on the run from the 25, half-wav between the side-line and .the goal posts. Shehadie, Cornforth and Windon led the Australians to the Combined goalline where Burke was held up a yard sliort of the line. Burke next tried to go round the scrum 011 tho line but was held up In the next scrum fhe ball was heeled to Windon who scored. Allan then drew Brockoff from Ihe forwards as an ' extra back. Broad, Blomley,1 Cornforth and Brockoff' handled before Garner reeeived to score wide out. With ten minutes left to play, the Aiistralians inereased the pressure 011 their tiring opponents; From a scrum Burke, Windon, Coniforth, Allan, Blomley and Garner handled, the last named scoring. ' ; ' For the last three minutes both teams kept the ball in plav, thrilling the spectators. Combined pinned the Australians in their own half till full time. Combined team 17, Australia 15. | Mr. R. Pratt, Westport, was referee.