FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2317, 18 August 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. SENIOR. Shannon v. Levin, at. Levin; Mr - Sciascia. Foxton v. Ilui Mai, at Manakan; Mr Parata. ’ Kukn v. Tokomam, at. Kuku; Mr Rhodes, JUNIORS (Northern). Levin v. Shannon, at Levin; Mr Reeve. Foxton v. Weraroa, at Weruroa; Mr Thomson. JUNIOR (Southern). Paraparaumu v, Waiknnae, at Paraparaunni; Mr Moulin. Old Boys v. Otaki, at Otaki; Mr Udy. Kuku v, Ilui Mai, at Kuku; Mr S. Parker. THIRD GRADE. Rovers v. - * Otaki, at Otaki; Mr Tahiwi. Shannon v. Tokomaru, at Tokoiriarn; Mr Burrows. FOURTH GRADE. Foxton v. Rovers, at Levin; Mr Higgins. SPRINGBOKS' TOUR,

MATCHES TO BE PLAYED

The remainder of the South Africans' tour has been re-arranged by the New Zealand Rugby Union, and acceptance <>)' dates and fixtures proposed has been received from Mr Bennett, manager of the visiting

team. The location of a match with •the Maori representatives has not. yet been fixed. From Palmerston North, the Springboks will go t<> Auckland, the remainder of their fixtures now being as follows: — 27th August, v. New Zealand (second Test), at Aucldaud. 3.lst August, v. Waikato, at Hamilton.

3rd September, v, Hawkes' Bay and Poverty Bay, at Napier. Till September, v. Maori representatives, place to be arranged. Kith September, v. Nelson, Marlborough, and Golden Bay, at Nelson. 17th September, v. New Zealand (final Test), at Wellington.

SPRINGBOKS (3) v. AIANAWA T U >HOR 0 WHEN U A (Nil)

About. 10,000 people witnessed the above match, played on the Show grounds at Palmerston N. yesterday afternoon. The weather was line, with bright sunshine, and the ground in splendid order. The teams were as follows: —

Springboks : do Villiers, Zeller, Strauss, Senden, Henry Morkel. .). M.iehau, de Koch, Pienaar (captain), du Plessis, Ellis, Royal Morkel. Van Rooyen, Mostert, Olivier, Scholtz.

Manawatu-Horowlicnun: Mar--,lm 11, Glendinning, Swainson, Leeder, Ford, McDonald, Maire, Carroll, Bevan, Darkness, Dustin, Broughton, Galpin, Moynihan, Jacobs (captain).

A good deal of speculation took ))lace prior to the clash, and it was the general opinion that the Springboks would finish up with anything from 9 to lb points to the good. There seemed some justification for this at the outset of the game, but as soon as the home hoys had got rid of “stage nervousness’ they settled down to business on defined lines laid down by a capable coach, and had the doughty Springboks thinking hard. The home team set out to smother the close forward tactics of the Springboks, and succeeded beyond expectations. So keen was Manawatu on the smothering tactics at first that ’they were penalised for breaches. The visitors were unceremoniously upended and brought to earth as soon as they handled the ball, and Manawatu beat the valiant Springboks at their own game. When a steady concerted push in scrum took place, the Springboks’ weight told, bpt in the majority of cases llie ball was smothered. While Springboks in combined weight had the advantage, there was no advantage in individual strength. The Springboks altered their tactics, and tried to gain advantage by well-judged line kicking and 1 bunching in their opponents territory. Manawatu replied with line kicking and centering. The backs were alert on both sides, arid few mistakes were made, bui the game throughout was mostly confined to the forward's. Within ten minutes of the opening of I ho game excitement was caused by Marshall marking, with the South African hunch charging right down on him, but had hardly passed when the Springboks got. going in a beautiful passing bout, in which the halves made straight through, sending the ball to Sendin, who ran through from the twenty-live line, and passed to Strauss', who scored near the corner. The Manawatu backs were caught napping. De Yilliers failed to goal. This was the only score throughout the game. The visitors got a bigger share of the ball in the second spell, and commenced to attack in earnest. De Villiers helped by tremendous kicks, which gained much ground. Dustin grassed Strauss ns he wns streaking away, and Marshall brought Zeller ],y a brilliant tackle, the Manawatu full-back being injured temporarily by the impact. The attack grew more and more dangerous, but the home team’s tackling did not fail, and the spectators were roused to a high pitch of excitement when a pretty passing bout by De Kock, Strauss and Zeller was nullified by the latter being tackled simultaneously by Marshall and Leeder. The crowd was delighted when the referee smartly .penalised the South African half for snatching the ba!| from the serum, Tackling was now

the order of the home men’s game, as play was still in their territory, although never very dangerous, and Glendinning, Maire, McDonald and Swainson brought down man after man. Pienaar, who was always prominent, Mills, Van Rooyen and Mestcrt headed the attack in the forwards. Towards the end long kicks, from penalties for off-side, and concerted rushes by the forwards, brought play across the centre, and into the visitors’ twentyfive, where they frequently illustrated their capacity to run hack and kick overhead, gaining a goodly slice of territory, though taking tactical risks. Dustin and a comrade thrilled the crowd by dribling to within five yards of the line, hut faulty placing in the scrum brought the South Africans a penalty, and relief. The excitement continued as Maire and McDonald made for the line, hut De Villiers kicked for the toucliline as they were within an aeo of scoring. South Africa rallied, and Marshall was obliged to force. The game ended without any score in the second half.