NORTH’S BIG WIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 21 August 1939, Page 12

NORTH’S BIG WIN

INTER-ISLAND RUGBY MINOR UNIONS’ TRIAL McANENEY IN FORM GIBSON SHOWS SKILL (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The minor unions’ inter-island Rugby match was played on Saturday afternoon and resulted in a decisive win for the North Island by 22 points to 9. More speed l in the backs and solidity in. the forwards gave the North victory. The undoubted star of the game was C. A. Gibson, the brilliant North Auckland first five-eighth, whose general capability and speed off the mark made the North back line infinitely superior to that of the South. The South forwards had a solid struggle with the North pack, rucking better for the greater part of the game. North throughout was the better balanced side, with superior tactics. South’s backs lacked sting. The forwards, although R. R. King, the former All Black captain, set them a good example, were never on top of the North pack. They won the majority of the set scrums, but failed in other departments.

The selectors for the North and South Islands, and Mr. E. McKenzie, New Zealand sole selectors, watched the game.

The teams were as follows: —

North Island.—Rayment (Bay of Plenty), Cunningham (North Auckland), White (North Auckland), McAneney (Poverty Bay), Lambly (North Auckland), Gibson (North Auckland), Godling (North Auckland), Hancox (King Country), Phillips (Poverty Bay), Trusttum (King Country), Best (Bay of Plenty), Rodgers (Poverty Bay), Tuhoro (East Coast), Anderson (Poverty Bay), McNeile (Bay of Plenty). .South Island. Easton (North Otago), Weenink (Buller), Kotua (Nelson), Cooper (West Coas'c), Vaughan (West Coast), Alexander (Builer), Kelly (’Ashburton). Doig (Ashburton), Robertson (Buller), King (West Coast), Newton (Ashburton). Mason (Buller), Innes (West Coast), McKenzie (Ashburton), 'Strachan .(North Otago). Brilliant Burst A brilliant burst by Codling put North on attack at the outset. Swift and determined tackling by South backs saved their line. Away in a .blind-side movement flashed McAneney, the promising trial player of 1937. His infield pass went to Lambly and then to Gibson, but the live-eighth was trapped and Kelly quickly cleared. When another rush had swept to the North line a quick heel gave the South backs a glorious chance on the blind side, but although Kelly did his job well the movement crashed when Weenink was caught. North swept three-quarters of the field in a brilliant movement which ended in a try. Cunningham broke clean away. He shot an infield pass to his forwards, and the ball went to Best, to Trusttum, to Lambly, to White (the former Hawke’s Bay winger) and on to the other wing, McAneney, who took White’s long pass going at top. Glorious Efforts Down the touchlines raced McAneny, with his own forwards backing up in support, when his way was barred by Easton. He shot the ball infield to McNeilc, who dived over in the corner for a spectacular try. White converted with a great kick frdm the sideline. North 5 South 0 North had the edge on South all the way now. White kicked a good penalty. North 8 South .. • • • • 0 Then came a glorious individual effort by Gibson, North Auckland first five-eighth. From the feet of the South forwards as they tried to dribble clear, Gibson snapped the ball up, raced hard for the corner, and scored before the slow defence had time to cover up. White missed the kick. North 11 South 9 South’s First Points First points to South came When Easton kicked a splendid penalty goal. A loose raid saw the ball kicked over +he line, and Cunningham scored. North 14 South .. .. .. 3 Gathering in a loose bail. Anderson raced through a gap for McAneney to score wide out. .Six points within two minutes came to South when Mason scored a try and Easton kicked a penalty. Just on time, the North forwards made a fast race, ending in Best scoring. White goaled, and the game ended: North .. .. .. 22 South 9