BRILLIANT FINISH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20030, 31 August 1939, Page 9

BRILLIANT FINISH

SOUTHLAND’S EASY WIN

S. GANTLRBLRY SWAMPED

(Per Press Association.) TIMARU. this day

By defeating South Canterbury by 33 points to 6, Southland yesterday won the fifth successive representative fixture of the season and brought their total of points to 161. They have had only 13 points scored against them, no team yet having crossed their line.

South Canterbury had chances in this direction but just failed to get there. The Ranfurly Shield holders found the some side a fairly tough proposition in the first half, and at the interval the visitors led by only nine points to six.

While full credit must be given 'o the South Canterbury forwards for the way they battled, and the backs for their solid tackling ancl bustling tactics, Southland were decidedly sluggish in the first half, and it was not "until the game was three-parts over that they revealed their true ability. They took complete charge in life second half, and their score commenced to mount. Fine Exhibition The interest of the public quickened rather than flagged, for Southland provided as fine an exhibition of cons motive football during the first 20 minutes as any crowd could wish to see. J. Purdue was hardly ever bustled, because of the fine protection of the pack. He gave consistently good service and, with the rest of the back handling perfectly, the greens were powerless to stop them. A big feature of the back play was the consistent overlap of sometimes one, and on one occasion two men. In this instance every Southland back came into the movement. Only a long pass cm out Sutherland, who was the only man not to handle in what was the most spectacular move of the game. In this fashion the visitors proceeded merrily, showing complete understanding in all departments. Saxton and Grace did not play, and it was easy to picture a back line with these stars included. The forwards handled particularly well and paved the way for all tries. The home team was not disgraced in toeing bea'cn by a team which gave a great display of constructive football.

Tries were scored for the winners by Calvert (3), Ward, Mahony, Sutherland <2), McKenzie, and J. Purdue. Fleming converted one and McKenzie two tries. For the home side. Lund and Murphy kicked penaltj goals.