AUSTRALIAN VISITORS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 10, 3 September 1931, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN VISITORS

Press Association-

"Post" Special Service.

WET BALL SPOILS WARATAH'S STYLE OF PLAY COMBINED TEAM WINS

— Copyrieht.

By Telephone —

NELSON, Wednesday. The Australian Rugby team was defeated "again to-day when it met the combined Nelson-West Coast-Buller. and Golden Bay team, the latter winning by 14 points (4 tries, 1 converted), to 5, (a converted try). f Just before the commencement, .rain fell and became heavier up till half time, making the ground slippery and creating conditions wholly unsuited to the Australians' style of play. The Australians were always dangerous in the loose open play when they threw the greasy ball about with confidence, actually, initiating a number of passing movements from their own twenty-five. The honours of the game were with the Combined Team's forwards, wbo played a tight hard game, witb much more vigour and ruggedness than tbe tourists. Judd, Bridle, and Blair were the visitors' best forwards, and Palmer gave a great display at first fiveeighths. Ross was frequently called upon to defend" against the fast opDosition forwards and in spite of the state of the ball gave a brilliant exhibition. The Combined forwards were an even lot, Max, Stewart, Grogan and Goodall being probably the best. Davidson, the half was seen both on the defence and attack, with Graham and Brusch, the next best backs. The Combined team had the best of the first half; the second half 'was more even. Caldwell and McLean were responsible for taking the play to the Australian 25 where Alexander gained possession and sent the ball to Lamont who transferred to Brusch a few yards off the line. The winger cut in, passed the ball back and went over for a try, the result of a snappy movement. The first half ended 3nil hrthe local team's favour. Holder scored from a brilliant solo run, when the visitors' back movement ; broke down, and he dasbed over half the lengtb of the field for a try in the corner, which was converted with a great kick by Graham. A fast combined rush went over half the length of the ground, Grogan kicking over the line for McLean to score a try. Towards the end, the visitors' forwards seemed to regain vigour and played up splendidly, a fast forward movement ending in Bridle scoring from the 25 and Ross converting. Just before time, the Australians were all out to lceep the Combined side away from the line, when a rebound from a kick gave McNeight a chance to score a final try. Combined 14, Australia 5. The visitors were penalised on a number of -occasions, for infringements in the scrum. On a dry ground they would probably have reversed tbe results.