WAIKATO’S RUGBY DEFEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1041, 4 August 1930, Page 6

WAIKATO’S RUGBY DEFEAT

Britain’s Pace and Combination —Great Burst of Scoring Seen —Murray the Hero of the Win STUBBORN DEFENCE BROKEN Special to THE SUN i HAMILTON, Saturday. PAUL MURRAY, playing' his first game since a tackle by Cooke dislocated his shoulder in the second Test, was the hero of Bi'itain’s clear-cut victory over the combined Waikato-Thames Valley-King' Country side, whose rugged forwards and stubborn hacks could not cope with the touring team’s pace and combination. At certain stages of the game the Combined team made a great fight of it, but in the last ten minutes Britain unwound a burst of scoring that made its tally its highest of the tour, winning by 40 points to 16.

Murray, who had a curiously lopsided appearance on account of a rubber protective pad strapped on his left shoulder, was actually the first man on the British side to handle the ball. He fielded Waikato’s kick-off, and found the line with a beautiful kick. At first he appeared to be very diffident about risking his shoulder, and was obviously feeling ‘his way; but as the game wore on he gave a magnificent exhibition, which suggests that if sound he will be Britain’s only possible choice for the scrum-half position in the final Test. While at all times giving quick and usually accurate service from the base of scrums, occasionally he varied his tactics by going solo and stranding Story, Waikato’s aggressive wingforward, whose offside tendencies led to frequent penalties. Story camped on the” top of Spong, often catching him in possession; but Britain’s mercurial stand-off half emerged triumphant from the duel, to crown his strenuous day’s work with a great try from a solo run which cut the defence in half.

The match was played in a mild springtime atmosphere of glorious sunshine, the conditions being practically perfect except that a bright sun often troubled the players in taking high overhead balls. FINE WAIKATO FORWARDS

Waikato, wearing colourful jerseys vtvidiy striped in red, yellow, and black, with stockings to match, provided the brightest colour scheme yet seen in the British team’s matches. There were some big men among its forwards, who had a reputation as rugged battlers, capable—as they showed against Auckland earlier in the season—of breaking quickly enough to bother auy but the most competent backs. One of them. C. Cameron, gave a display equal to any individual exhibition of forward play given against the tourists. His tall form was always prominent in the line-t. ’s, while in the loose he headed many vigorous thrusts. Courtenay. Waikato’s burly lock, was .mother very fine forward who had much to do with the ascendancy which the Waikato pack gained over the Britisli forwards :or a long period in the second half Theoretically, the match was played against the representatives of the combined Waikato - Thames Valley King Country unions, but actually 14 out of the fifteen engaged were Waikato men, and the fifteenth, J. Weo, tho sturdily-built King Country fullback, would not have been chosen had “Ginger” Thomas, of Matamata, been available. Weo, as it happened, was ono of the weaknesses in the combined side. Though of fine physique, with great kicking power, he was uncertain in positional play, and was too slow-footed to arrest the lightning thrusts of the British backs. SOUND TACKLING

Speaking generally, Waikato’s tackling was remarkably sound, neither Bowcott nor Aarvold being able to penetrate against Fitzgerald’s tenacious defence. Allen, on the right wing, allowed Reeve very little freedom. Though of much lighter physique, he shackled Reeve practically evdry time, it being only when the speed of the insides gave Reeve the overlap that he was able to make headway. Allen allied to his firm defence considerable attacking skill, which on one occasion allowed him to sidestep both Reeve and Bonner in a determined dash, which was only checked when Ivor Jones appeared from nowhere to bundle him into touch at the corner flag.

Carlson, on the other wing, was disappointing. Though of most impressive physique, he was often left standing by the fleet-footed Novis, while on attack his uncertain handling once cost Waikato a certain try. Waikato, having lost the toss, began the afternoon well with a vigorous attack which hung in the British twenty-five. Great line-kicking a,t this stage was responsible for shifting the scene of play, Bonner, Murray, and Bowcott each gaining distance with some glorious kicks. Bonner was making his first appearance since the Canterbury game, and his successful

all-round exhibition —only marred by his failure on one occasion to tackle the elusive Allen—suggests that in not getting more games he has been distinctly unfortunate. Throughout the match he handled perfectly, fielding lofty overhead balls with the greatest coolness, even when the onrushing Waikato forwards gave him the greatest reason to be disconBRITAIN GAINS UPPER HAND

After Waikato’s opening burst had spent itself, Britain gained the upper hand, and held it with only spasmodic interludes for the remainder of the first spell. In this period tries came with considerable regularity, Novis, Jones, Reeve, and Spong all going over, while Black and Ivor Jones between them put on a dozen points with excellent kicks.

Waikato’s only try in this period came from a loose passing rush which terminated in a try by Mitchell, Allen converting. In the second spell, however, Storey, Mitchell, and Carlson all scored tries, Allen converting one, so that Waikato’s tally climbed amid considerable enthusiasm to 16 against Britain’s 29, Novis hav ng added another try, converted by Jones, to Britain’s total.

With Waikato’s score stead.ly mounting. the coloured forwards played with fresh inspiration, obtaining a definite grip on the game, so that for long periods Britan was penned on its own side of halfway The forward exchanges in this period became fairly hectic, and the referee. Mr. S. Weston, of Whaugarei, who controlled the game exceedingly well, had to give fatherly advice to both sets of hookers before they could be persuaded to go down cleanly. The British forwards insisted on applying weight in tho scrums before the ball was in, and some difficulty was experienced in getting them back to the point of the original infringement. Beamish played one of his best games, characterised by great vigour in the tight play and surprising agility in the loose. Welsh, who was playing for a place in the Test team, was another to show out, while Farrell, Kendrew and Parker all had a part in some creditable work. Black, who in the second half tu curred the crowd’s ire by diving ,i for W. Carlson before he received ; he hail, did useful work in the loose, his smart gathering of R ove’s cent i:g kick paving the way to passing between Murray and Aarvold. '-vhicli terminated when Novis scored Brit ain’s first try in the second spell. In this movement Mur ay, who was already bleeding at the nose. was knocked out, and lay prone, his weak shoulder having received another knock. Several British players attempted to pursuade him to retire, but he remained on, and his play for the rest of the game was even better than before. THREE FINE TRIES For a long period it looked as though Britain’s scoring in the second spell would be limited to one try, but the Waikato pack gradually faded, and the British pack reasserted itself, to take complete charge about 10 minutes before the end. In this period came three fine tries, Spong going solo to go over beside the posts, while Novis scored after a brilliant sprint on one wing, and Aarvold added a final try on the other. One of these tries came direct from the kick-off, the forwards beginning passing which ended among the backs and terminated in a try without any Waikato man having touched the ball. By prearrangement, the British backs in the closing stages were rearranged, Aarvold going to the right wing, where he was not very impressive, and Novis going to centre. Novis will have to play better if selected in the test; but whenever in possession he was fast and dangerous. The British passing at times was upimpresisve, Bowcott, Aarvold, and Novis all being guilty of giving had passes. There was very little penetration against Waikato’s determined tackling, and an occasional resort to the short punt was not over-successful. Apart from their swift running in combined (movements, the British insides did their best work in making judicious use of the touchline. It is difficult to say exactly what, the test side lor next Saturday will be, but if there is a change it will probably be to make room for Morley by dropping either Aarvold or Novis. Welsh is almost certain to go into the pack, but it will be hard on Hodgson, who played excellently in the third test, if this change is made at his expense. BRITAIN CARRIES SCRUMS The scrums today were much in Britain’s favour, the visitors winning 21 to Waikato's eight. The lineouts went slightly in Waikato’s favour, and Waikato also had a margin in the penalty kicks, seven going to the local side against five to Britain. A record crowd of 12,000 saw the match at close quarters, the front rows of the crowd being only six feet from the touchline, so that often there was a wild scatter when flying wingthreequarters were hurled among the onlookers. By his three tries, Novis takes first place among the British try-getters. Spong’s two tries raise his score to three. Though he has played consistent Rugby, his only other try was scored against Otago. Ivor Jones, the genius of the British forwards, gained further laurels, scoring 12 points on his own.

FORTY TO SIXTEEN HIGHEST SCORE OF TOUR AMASSED THE MATCH DESCRIBED Special to THE SUN HAMILTON, Saturday. Superiority on the part of the British pack proved the downfall of the combined King 1 Country, Waikato and Thames Valley fifteen in the match against Britain at Rugby Park today. In one of the most complete victories of the tour, Britain ran up a score of 40 to 16. The teams are: BRITAIN Fullback.—Bonner. Threcqnarters. Novis, Aarvold, Bowcott, Reeve. Halves. —Spong, Murray. Forwards. —Welsh, Beamish, IvorJones, Farrell, Black, Parker, Kendr ew, O’Neill. COMBINED TEAM Fullback.—L. Weo. Threequarters.—W. H. Carlson, J. R. Fitzgerald, W/ Allen. Five-eighths.—J. Tuck, A. St. George. Halfback.—W. Mitchell. Rover.—A. Storey. Forwards.—C. Cameron, W. Bonham, J. Reynolds, P. Courtney, A. Cameron, J. Hooper, T>. Leeson. The British won the toss and Carlson kicked off, Murray finding touch at midfield. The Combined forwards hooked cleanly from the first scrum. Tuck, however, running into Spong’s arms to be smothered. Britain rushed play to the Combined’s territory, where Allen mis-kicked to centre and Spong started his backs away. The Combined forwards, however, were caught offside, and from 15 yards outside the twenty-five Black landed a magnificent goal three minutes after the kick-off. Britain 3 Combined 0.... The British forwards were making the pace, forcing their way to the line, where Spong spoiled a great chance by a bad pass. Weo relieved with a toucher after a bright British back rush had collapsed under solid tackling The leather went back to Bonner, whose attempt to pot a goal fr«*n halfway failed to rise Aarvold persistently checked the Combined forwards from breaking from their own territory by judicious line-kicking. A brilliant British back movem» nt was started by Spong. who received a long pass from the ruck The ball flashed along to Bowcott. to Novis, who outpaced the opposition backs, slipping the wing’s tackle to score under the posts. Black goaled. Britain S Combined 0 Pressing hotly. Britain forced play to the corner, where from a line-out the ball went out to Aarvold. who calmly attempted to pot. the kick going wide. Tiio Combined forwards came back on a great bout of passing in which Reynolds and Mitchell were prominent, Reeve, however, gathering in nicely near his line to save. One of the most spectacular efforts of the day was staged by the British backs when Murray opened up a bout in his twenty-five. Aarvold drawing the opposing threequarters prettily to send Novis speeding down the line with only the fullback to pass. Novis whipped the l .H in to Ivor Jones who - ed ea«dh Black's kick wpnt w!d Britain . 11 Combined The British backs were repeatedly j sent on spirited dashes by Spong. j o was.) - ; n Of r big 1 :n.l ' i rum and Ivor Jones landed a goal Britain 14 Combined 0 Storey, the Combined wjngforward. und Cameron were showing great dash breaking in the loose, but the fine linekicking of Bonner and Murray kept them out twice. Weo made bad misses, only to be extricated by his forwards, though he made up for his mistakes with a magnificent save a moment later, off the British forward’s toe. The British backs were not to be denied, however, and, following repeated assaults. a brilliant rush saw Reeve hurdle the fullback to score wide out. Tvor Jones goaled. Britain 19 Combined 0 The Combined forwards and backs came back in great style. Tuck making a great break through, sending to Mitchell, who crossed wide out. Amid great enthusiasm, Allen landed a great goal. Britain * 19 Combined 5 Hammering persistently, the Combined forwards, with Cameron and Courteney prominent, kept Britain in its twenty-five. The British backs, however, swung into action, the ball flying out to Novis, who reversed after a great sprint. Spong, coming up fast, gathered in to race over. Black goaled. The score at half-time was: Britain 24 Combined 5 The British backs were opening up at every opportunity and only determined tackling kept them out. Combineds registered their second try when storey, though palpably off-side, caught Spong in possession. He dribbled through in fine style and though tackled several times, he managed to slip his opponents grasps to dive on the rolling ball, scoring wide out. Allen kicked a magnificent goal. Britain 24 Combined 10 The tourists came back with surprising speed when a spectacular passing rush to the left corner was quickly diverted to the opposite wing by Black, who picked up in the ruck. The leather sailed out to Aarvold, who drew the opposition prettily and sent Novis racing over. Ivor Jones’s kick struck the post and bounced over the bar. Britain 29 Combined 30 The Waikato forwards led by Cameron and Courtney were working hard, but were no match for the fast British backs Once Aarvold sold a beautiful dummy in a spectacular rush and sent on to Novis. who was thrown out n the Combined’s territory. A g%t dribbling break by Storey, Bonh.,n. and C. Cameron -saw Bonner miss badly and a try seemed imminent, when Bowcott flashed up and kicked the ball dead from under Storey’s hands. The Combined forwards were now making the pace and a high punt : sav» Bonner forced to mark on his line to save. Another smashing onslaught by the Combined packmen ended in a force in the corner. The Combined backs lost another fine chance when Tuck snapped up when a British back rush collapsed 19 yards from the line. Tuck gathered in, but spoiled the opportunity by kicking too hard. Great excitement reigned as St. George gathered in prettily from the ruck and threw a long pass to Carl-

son, Novis whipping in to intercept. Ho was downed quickly and then Aarvold deliberately pushed the ball out to save- Allen essayed to goal from a penalty, the kick, however, going wide. The crowd was on its feet a moment later when Storey tackled Spong in possession, and Courtney started the Combined backs away. Tuck flung a long pass to Carlson, who had a clear run. but failed to gather the ball from a scrum on the line. However. Mitchell raced round and dived over. Mitchell’s kick missed narrowly. Britain 29 Combined 13 The Combined forwards were swarming and hotly hammering persistently at the British defence, though Spong and Murray were defending wonderfully. Twice in quick succession Storey was penalised for offside play, the crowd hissing the decision. A great effort was made by the Combined backs, the ball travelling out to Allen, who was downed in the cornerafter a great run by Ivor Jones. A smashing rush by the Combined forwards swept to the line. Leeson and Mitchell being narrowly robbed of a try. A spectacular last-minte rush was started by Tuck, who sent to Fitzgerald, who drew Aarvold prettily, sending to Carlson, who raced over wide out Mitchell’s kick missed: Britain 29 Combined .. - - • - 16 A wonderful try was scored bv Spong, who received from Murray outside the twenty-five. He cut in brilliantly, dummying nicely, only to be dropped a yard off the line. He was on bis knees again and dived over amid great applause. Ivor Jones goaled: Britain 34 Combined .. 16 Another fine rush saw Novis score, but Jones’s kick failed: Britain .. .. 37 Combined 16 A moment later "Murray worked the blind. Aarvold scoring in the corner. Ivor Jones missed, making the final score:— BRITAIN 40 COMBINED 16