RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 22446, 17 September 1936, Page 17

RUGBY

AUSTRALIANS' TOUR SOUTHLAND MAINTAINS ITS RECORD VISITORS BEATEN IN BRIGHT GAME [Pei? United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, September 16. Southland maintained its unbeaten record against Australian Rugby teams by defeating the 1936 “ Wallabies ” by 14 points to 6 at Rugby Park to-day. The weather was beautifully fine and tho ground in good- order for the match, which was watched by 6,000 people. The game was bright, fast, and open j throughout, with tho Australians throwing the ball about whether on atj tack or defence. Southland was a much more solid team, however, and j the visiting backs failed completely to I make any impression on the sound do--1 fence. The Australians gained possession from almost every scrum and linoout in the first spell, and the backs began passing rush after passing rush. It was early apparent that Southland had little to fear from these tactics, as the Australian inside backs never looked like penetrating, and in the second half, when ball possession was equally divided, Southland was much more impressive as an attacking unit than the faster visitors. The game opened brightly, the Australian backs passing the ball from the scrum to the wings accurately, but with little gain. Southland then won a scrum and a dangerous run by Mitchell, the centre three-quarter, was in marked contrast with the Australians’ diagonal attack. After 27 minutes of play Metcalfe broke through from a lineout and kicked ahead for Mitchell to gather up the ball and score at the corner. Australia turned defence into attack, and the wing, M‘Lean, carried on after a forward rush. Though he appeared to be out, he hurdled Sharp, the Southland full-back, and scored brilliantly at the corner. The half-time scores were:— Southland 3 Australia 3 The Australians played with the sun and tho wind at their backs in the second half. Five minutes after tho start Mattingly kicked a penalty goal for Southland. The Australians appeared tb be fading badly, and Purdue broke through from a scrum and passed to Sutherland, who scored. The visitors continued to throw the ball about with abandon, and Hammon put in a spectacular run from halfway to the Southland line, where Richards dived short. Australia, however, was determined to score, and Lewis varied his tactics by cutting through. M'Lean received the ball at the end of the chain and ran round to score under the bar. The kick failed. Australia continued to provide bright passing movements. The Southland forwards were definitely better than the loose rucking “ Wallabies.” Ten minutes from time Crawford, a prominent Southland forward, broke up Australian passing. Hamijton was in support and passed to Mitchell, who was well tackled by Storey, but Thomas was in position to take a pass and score between the posts. Mattingly converted, and the game ended:—

TWO WINS IN EIGHT GAMES The Australian team has won only two of its eight games to date. It was successful against Wanganui and North Otago. The visitors have scored 89 points, against their opponents’ 121. Their record i* as follows:

EXCITING FINISH MANAWATU BEATS WAIRARAPA [Per United Press Association.] MASTERTON, September 12. The visiting Manawatu Riigby representatives defeated Wairarapa by 28 points to 27 in a bright and entertaining match of fluctuating fortunes at Masterton to-day. With barely 10 minutes to play, Wairarapa led by 27 points to 13, but the visitors came to light with a last-min-ute rally to pull the game out of the fire. Neither team was at full strength, but while .the standard of play was not high, -there was plenty of colour and incident. The game was played on a hard ground in bright, warm sunshine. Both sides threw the ball about freely, _ providing many sparkling movements. The Manawatu backs handled more surely and ran straighter than the home rearguard, but until the closing stages the Wairarapa backs revealed a solidity on defence that was surprisingly good. The forwards were well matcned and finished up with honours easy. The Manawatu pack worked well in the tight, but found it difficult to cope with the quick-breaking Wairarapa forwards. The game was played at a fast pace, and many of the players had bellows to mend before the second spell was far advanced. Manawatu’s form held out much better than did that of the home side. In fact, Manawatu registered a particularly good performance to come out on top. When the visitors came to light with their rally they cut the home defence to ribbons. Tries were scored for Manawatu by Brindsen (2), Campbell, Nicol, Crawford, and Cuick, five bohig converted by Finlay. For Wairarapa, tries were scored by Donovan (2), Peterson, Clark, Holland, Brooks, and Grantham. Ward converted throe tries. OTAGO V. WELLINGTON The Eanfurly Shield match between Otago and Wellington, to be played at Carisbrook on Saturday, is expected to provide the best game of the season. Wellington is always a hard side to defeat, and is sending down its full strength. The team includes such well-known players as Pollock, Sadler, Griffiths, Edwards, Wells, and Lamason. _ Otago will also have its best side in the field and the public can rely upon seeing a bright and closely-contested game. The Welling-

ton team will arrive this afternoon and will stop at the Excelsior Hotel during its stay in Dunedin. As a cur-tain-raiser the primary schools’ representative team will play a High School team. The box plan will bo opened at Messrs C. Begg and Co.’s to-day. Tho gates will be opened at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Official guides containing full particulars regarding the teams and other interesting notes will be on sale as usual. NO EXTRA MATCH SPRINGBOKS LEAVING IN MAY [Pee United Peess Association.] WELLINGTON, September 16. It was announced at a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union tonight that tho Australian team would bo unable to play an extra match in New Zealand as had been suggested in Auckland, because of the players’ arrangements. An announcement that the Springboks would leave Capetown on May 14, 1937, to tour Australia and New Zealand was made at the meeting. CONGRATULATORY CABLE MESSAGE FROM N.S.W. UNION [Per United Peess Association.] WELLINGTON, September 17. “ Warmest congratulations on your fine success,” was the text of a cablegram received by the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union from the New South Wales Rugby Union, referring to the two wins of the All Blacks against the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup. Mr J. A. Wilson, of Wellington, will be referee of the Canterbury-Australia match on Saturday, and Mr N. Gilchrist, of Napier, referee of tho New Zealand Maoris-Australia match on Wednesday next.

Southland ... •... ... ... 14 Australia 6

Auckland ... . Australia. .. 5 Opponents. 8 Wanganui ... . Hawke’s Bay .. 22 12 .. 14 20 Wairarapa-Bush 13 19 New Zealand .. 6 11 North Otago , .. 16 13 New Zealand .. 13 ' 38 Southland ... . .. 6 14