NORTH BEAT SOUTH.

Shannon News, 28 July 1925, Page 3

NORTH BEAT SOUTH.

SCORE FIVE ALL AT HALF TIME; COOKE, MILL AND NKVIA EXCEL. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Invercargill fans were doomed to disappointment as regards the staging of their first inter-Island match here on Saturday but despite atrocious weather conditions, large crowds turned out to Rugby Park. Recent heavy rains, after a long spell of dry weather had saturated the playing area, which soon became very muddy and slippery. Driving rain fell praen tically throughout the game, making good play out of the question, but the backs nevertheless handled magnificently, especially the North, in the second spell. , The honours of the game were decidedly with the North, who spurted in the second spell, when Mill sent his backs away repeatedly from lineouts and scrums.

In the first spell, South had the upper hand almost to half-time. The forwards set up a series of dashing rushes, beating the heavier opposition nine times out of ton. There was no finish to their play, however, and several chances went begging. Nepia at all times was brilliant and generally managed to clear. During this spell. Steel and Reid displayed good football both in attack and defence. North had at least half-a-dozen penalties, mostly in front, but all were missed. i

In the second spell, the North backs assorted their superiority and threw the greasy ball about at random. The übiquitous Cooke, ever alert, made brilliant openings, and Mill excelled in getting the ball away from the rucks and scrums. He gave his backs hosts of chances. Nepia retired in this spell owing to an injury to his leg„ Cooke going to full back, it having been agreed to make no replacements ten minutcse after half time. Porter, Irvine and M. Brownlee shone in forward dashes. Blake was heady and made the most of bis opportunities, although he did not outshine Reid. Collier and Falvvasser were only fair. Dalley was threat on defensive work and revelled in the muddy conditions. Robilliard put in some good runs. Richardson, Masters. Burt and Gerrard were prominent in the forwards right through. Taking everything into consideration generally and the conditions in particular, a good game was served up. It was a bit. willing at limes, but the spirit was good. North displayed superior tactics and deserves the victory. The referee, Mr Torrance, made the game as open as possible. . South played with the wind in the first half and five minutes after the kick off, Steel fielded well and put a long kick over the North line. Nepia forced. Shortly after, Nepia again forced from a South forward rush. North was penalised and Steel made a great attempt with the wet ball. Nepia fielded a speculator from a ,South forward, punted to Harris, ' who fumbled and regained. Nepia, coming up fast, tackled him, ball and all. Penalties were frequent at this stage, South being penalised for 1 handling, but Nepia missed all kicks at goal. Steel and Reid missed two i further shots at goal. Reid's being right in front. Play was now mostly | in North's half. A fine cut in by P.ell just failed. Bell soon after missed another easy penalty. The game was now a forward scramble. driving showers saturating the sodden ground. Gerrard and Steel took the play to the North line, where Irvine got offside and Richardson 'just missed goal in g. Play hovered near the North line for some minutes, then from a line-out, Masters and Richardson went over together, the former being awarded a try, which Richardson converted. North retaliated sensationally with a sweeping rush to the Sotith line, Where Cooke dashed over under the post, Nepia converting. The half time whistle blew with the score five all. After the kick in. Cooke made a great cut in, beating Harris, but Dalley came up fast and saved. Robilliard and Bell returned play to the

North territory, but Nepia cleared. Irvine and Walters .following fast, dribbled over the South line, Walters scoring near the corner. Nepia converted, the ball striking the bar and skidding across. —North 10, South 5. The game was now very willing. Sly was penalised for unduly playing Dalley. Prom :i lineout. Falwasser fielded a bad pass, and smartly sent out to Blake who crossed tinopposcd. Nepia failed to convert —North 13, South 5. , The South forwards rushed play to the North line. where eagerness spoiled a certain try and Nepia cleared. Loose play followed. Langlands picked up the waiting ball and scored between the posts. Porter missed, and the score was—North IG, South. 5. •nth attacked fiercely and in a forward melee Nepia injured his leg and went off. South kept pressing, but fine defensive work by the North backs held them and time sounded with the score—North 16. South 5.