SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 24825, 18 August 1942, Page 2

SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

SOUTHLAND BEATS TIMARU After a fast and even game, in which both sides threw the ball about with abandon, Southland Boys’ High School beat Timaru High School at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon by five points to three. Each side scored a try and Southland’s winning points came from a magnificent conversion kicked by Ross, a forward. The playing conditions were excellent. The clever handling of the Timaru backs, the solid scrummaging of the Southland forwards and the deadly tackling of Southland were the features of an interesting game. In the first half Timaru had much the better of the exchanges, but the work of the backs was nullified by the good defence of the Southland backs, particularly that of Fraser, left wing, who was called on many times to stop a back moveSouthland took the honours of the second half and would have been unlucky to have lost. Timaru, facing the sun, quickly got moving and the hacks showed up in some spectacular passing. Fortunately for Southland the tackling of its backs was sound and several likely-looking rushes were nipped in the bud. Once or ftvice the Southland backs went away in passing rushes, but they did not get far. Timaru opened the scoring after 20 minutes’ play. A passing rush which swung to the left was checked and the Timaru forwards rucked quickly and heeled the ball to Bracefield, who turned the play in a flash and sent his right wing away. Wil s took the ball in his stride and flung himself over at the right corner. It was brilliant play. The kick at goal failed. Timaru 3, Southland 0. Southland rallied and the forwards broke through the centre. Then followed a bright piece of play which brought a try. Bennett got his backs moving and Walker (centre) made an opening for Hlshon, who clapped on the pace in a run up the grandstand wing and finished it off with a good try. Ross converted with a good kick from near the touchline. Southland 5, Timaru 3. There was no more scoring before halftime. SOUTHLAND IMPROVES

Southland packed an improved scrum in the second half and in the first quarter the backs and forwards combined in many movements which threatened Timaru’s They played with inspired dash, but lacked the finish necessary to top off the movements. Timaru did not get as much ball as in the first half and the play of Uie backs was not nearly as showy. The haltback and five-eighths always looked dangerous, but most of the movements were forced across field and often no ground was gained. Southland, on the other hand, showed more enterprise and the inside men cut in and straightened the attack whenever possible. Bennett played plucklly behind the Southland scrum and made the most ot his chances. Good individual runs were made by the Walkers and Hishon, and Doake at full-back was reliable on defence. In the last quarter the game became hard and exciting and there were many stoppages for injuries. Two members of the Timaru team retired suffering from conCU| Timaru made a desperate bid to pull file game out of the fire in the last few minutes of play and McConnell just fell short after a spectacular run. The game ended with the scores: Southland 5, Timaru 3. Mr J. North was the referee. The teams were:—

TIMARU—D. D. McLeod; R. C. Wills, K. N. Nicholas, I. W. King: H. S. Galr. A. R. Marshall; N. A. Bracefield; E. J. Tozer, D. K. Mackenzie, W. Hayes, W. H. <3. Walsh. R. G. Ainge, W. B. McConnell, G. A. Harrison. G. S. Luke. SOUTHLAND—D. Doake; R. Hishon, R. Walker, L. Fraser; E. Walker, R. Tennet, C. Bennett; M. Murray, A. Redpath, J. Thompson, S. Smart, F. Ross, H. Edwards, R, Blomfield, N. Fallow. CURTAIN-RAISER A curtain-raiser between High School and Technical College sixth grade teams was won by High School by 11 points to 5. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS CLOSED The Southland Rugby Union at its meeting last evening decided to close the junior competitions and declare the following winners of their grades:—Second, Southland Boys’ High School; fourth, Invercargill; fifth, Pirates. It was also decided to close the senior Fleming Cup competition at the end of the present (the third) round. If Old Boys and Marist are equal in points at the end of the round a play-off will be arranged. Following are the senior fixtures for Saturday :— Pirates-Star v. Military Reserve at 2 p.m. (referee, Mr J. McKenzie); Artny v. Old Boys-Invercargill. at 3 p.m. (referee, Mr J. Aitken). The Marist Club was granted permission to use the Tweed street ground for a club game.