SOUTHLAND’S DEFEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 8

SOUTHLAND’S DEFEAT

POLAR FOOTBALL AT INVERCARGILL HARD FORWARD TUSSLE I&UX Special Representative — Copyright) INVERCARGILL, Today. Southland weather and the Southland forwards combined to keep Britain's score down in a match played on a sodden, stormswept ground before a hardy crowd which, defying the weather, maintained its enthusiasm to such an extent that in the closing stages hundreds swarmed along the touchlines. Southland had distinctly the better of the first spell; but in the second '■pell, after a spasmodic Southland attack had spent itself, Britain monopolised the attack. On the infrequent occasions when the dashing Southland forwards, playing great -Rugby both in the loose and in the light, got past half-way, they were invariably driven back *by the cool, faultless Bassett, who, rising superior to the miserable conditions, gave a ino display of accurate ground fielding and judicious kicking. Though attacking persistently throughout the second spell, Britain could cross the Southland line only once, when Kendrew, who played easily his best game of the tour, managed to his fingers on to a rolling elusive -.all after several others had missed it. This try came after Britain had gained the lead for the first time in the game only 20 minutes before time. I rom the Press stand, it was impossible to see what had happened, and several assumed that the referee had awarded Britain a penalty try. Kendrew, however, had actually touched down. Britain’s score hence consisted of a try by Reeve, a penalty goal by Parker, and a try by Kendrew. Though the match was for the most part a succession of forward tussles only rarely relieved by bright flashes of individual play, there were some amusing sidelights. Part of the second for instance, was played with a punctured ball which gradually became softer and softer till JonesUavies, running strongly in possession, was about to give a pass when the ball collapsed, completely flying out of ids hands. Fortunately, another ball was at once available, and the majority of tho spectators were unaware what had happened. CROWD BRAVES WEATHER Southland’s interest in Rugby was demonstrated by tho size of the crowd which braved the elements to witness the game. Some 12,000 were present; but if the weather had been less atrocious there undoubtedly would have been at least 0.000 more. Huddled in rugs and overcoats on the stands or the exposed terraces, the watchers were rewarded by the courageous uphill fight of the Southland forwards, who even against a strong wind in the second spell battled with unremitting

dash, to the bitter end. By that time hundreds of spectators had broken from their seats and were banked immediately on the touchlines. For 15 minutes in the second spell the ground was swept by a fierce hailstorm, and the backs on either side with their hands numb and limbs chilled to the bone were in an unenviable position. In spite of this handicap, several of them gave splendid displays. Murray, the British scrum-half, excelled in the prevailing conditions, often gaining ground with clever, solo work, particu- / larly in the early stages, when his dashes from the base of the scrum were very valuable. liassett was another who rose superior to the conditions. He fielded in the face of the advanc--1 ing Southland forwards with surprising coolness and accuracy, while with (judicious line-kicks he repelled attack : after attack. In this Bassett was only | approached by Norris, Southland’s fullback, who played a magnificent ! same, saving his side repeatedly. Knowles was another British back who showed up well today, doing many ■ clever things, while his readiness to go down to Southland’s forwards was in marked contrast to Aarvold’s policy of standing off and waiting for a chance to pick up and kick clear. It was no day for back play, yet both sides occasionally attempted to use their backs, this giving an idea > of what the game might have been under dry conditions. MAGNIFICENT EFFORT Britain’s first try came from a really magnificent burst of passing, followa slashing forward rush from which Farrell, with a terrific charge from ten yards out, had almost got over. Following this, play swung across ' Jones-Davies being bowled out near the corner; but Murray promptly got his backs moving again, and with Jones-Davies joining in to make an extra man Reevo was able to complete attractive passing by sprinting hard for a nice try at the corner. As Southland had put up three points within six minutes of the opening with a penalty goal by Diack, this left the scores at half-time equal. The spell had, on the whole, been distinctly in favour of Southland, who, with the advantage of the wind, had camped for long periods in the British twenty-five without being able to drive home its advantage. In the early stages, many penalties had gone against Britain; but Diack was only able to capitalise one of them. Later penalties had gone against Southland, and as Britain was then defending they gave considerable relief. HAIL PELTS PLAYERS Though a huge storm-cloud was now looming overhead, the teams remained on tlio field at half-time, and before resuming were pelted by a fierce hailstorm. Britain attacked at once, but the staunch Southland pack fought its way back to the British quarter, where tlazlett and Purdue made a great run which taxed the British defence. Pur- ; due being hurt, though lie resumed after two or three minutes. Britain managed to clear from this position, and after this was never seriously i endangered. The British forwards . stationed themselves in the Southland i twenty-five, but lost several chances through over-kicking Norris, who cleared each time. Once he held up a lone assault by Wilkinson, and was penalised for lying on the ball, bur Parker’s shot from an easy position veered outside. A few minutes later a penalty for obstruction of Murray was awarded to Britain much further out, right on the touchline. Parker, who was the only one of Britain’s regular place-kickers in today’s team, was reluctant to take the kick, offer-

! ins? the ball to Murray, who would ' have punted for touch. but finally Parker decided to have a shot, and i sent a beautiful low skimming shot a ! foot above the bar. Thus Britain gained the lead for the first time in the game. Southland returned with a brief sally, but Britain was soon back again, the forwards showing up in some fine efforts which, but for the defence of Norris, would have undoubtedly brought tries. Occasional efforts to swing the British backs into action were not very successful, though once Reeve looked very dangerous till lowered by Geddes. Jones-Davies, on the opposite wing, was running strongly, but lost a good chance through kicking too hard. The British forwards continued their attack, and Kendrew got across. Parker’s kick failed. This was the last score I of the game. Southland had a turn ! on the attack, but the British forwards, showing much dash, were back in ; Southland territory when the whisle ! blew. Britain 9 Southland 3 Played under such conditions, it was i not a very inspiring match. Handling I was almost impossible, there being long periods when the forwards simply booted the ball about aimlessly, while the backs joined in with speculators rather than try to pick up. Murray was the best of the British insides. Spong, though much liarrassed by Bell, who played an active roving game, got through a lot of work, in which Knowles, who made one very tine solo effort in the first spell, consistently backed him up. Aarvold was neve** very conspicuous. He evidently dislikes wet-day Rugby. Neither JonesDavies nor Reeve had many opportunities. Of the British forwards, Kendrew. who played with great dash, was perhaps the best. Dunne was another who showed his best form to date Welsh and Beamish made some firm gallops, and Farrell was unlucky nut to score, being brought down within inches of the lino after a most determined run. The Southland forwards were perhaps faster than Britain in the open. Hazlett led them splendidly. Their line-out work was char acteristically good, Purdue and Galt going good work in this department In scrumming, they were definitely inferior to Britain, which got a soon share of the ball throughout. Sharp was sound and Porter was the best of the threequarters. Britain won 14. scrums to Southland’s seven, and 10 line-outs to Southland’s 13, while 3:* free-kicks were awarded to Southland and seven to Britain. On today’-* game, Dunne and Kendrew* will do mand consideration for the British tes> pack.

Though he was rather punctilious considering the difficult nature of th» conditions, the referee, Mr. G. Marston, of Dunedin, gave a satisfactory all-round display.

NEXT SATURDAY’S MATCH

Pres 3 Association TIMARU, Today. Owing to injuries two changes have had to be made in the combined Ashburton, South Canterbury and North Otago team to meet the British Rugby team on Saturday. T. Trevathan (North Otago) will be replaced in the five-eighths line by R. Hollow (North Otago) and G. Sumpter (North Otago) will replace L. Ross (North Otago) on one wing.