SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 October 1919, Page 5

SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

RAND TEAM DEFEATED,

SIX POINS‘ TO NIL.

JOHANESBURG, Aug. 15.

The New Zealand Military Rugby ream met Witwatersrand on Wednesday, August 13, before a record crowd of about 20,000. «Generzils Bothaiand Smuts were among the spectators. The \Vitwate.rSrand side included no less than six Soutfh African internationals. The visitors were unequally represented owing to casualties. The teafns Were:—- ,

-Wfiwatersrandl:Fullbaek, Stiglingh; threequarters, Van der Hoff, C. Lanfb-_ gcher, C. Kennedy, and De‘Wef; halves, M. Laubscher and Myburgh; forwards:

D. Morkel, A_ Kennedy, E. —Ri:ordan, Van der Hoff, J. Luyt, Van Raooye-n, Rutherford, and J. Francis. New Z-caland: F-ulllback, - “«‘Stohr, threequarters, Storey, E.lßyan, and King; five-ei,-ghtht’s,x‘ .-\lcLNaught and Fea; halves, Hardworn and Lucas; forwards, Hazell, Cain, Bruce VVes't, Fogarty, Bellis, and Coekroft. HOME. TEAM ON THE ATTACK The Rand kicked oif, and immediately set up an attack on the right which came to nothing. Then the wlrole of the home threequarters got going, passing right across the line to V.an der Hoff, who made for the ‘corner, Stohr preventing a. score in the first five minutes. ' VVith brilliant footwark the “All Blacks’ worked their Way to 1:-1:.'fie d, and for a time honours were neutral. The locals tried to open up thcgame, and loose rushes and touch-kicking were predominant. Mybnrgh’s xv-wk as serum-half was excellent, . but a. roar went up as Stohr made tr.voele::l.r--ances of 40 yards in length. A gram" forward struggle ensued asd for a time nothing of special interest happ-eneih The Military invaded, and‘ Van T der Hoif was on the alert, and, running across, opened up a strong attack, the ball being passed right along theline with a reverse pass. But the New Zea~ landers were solid in defence.

So far the visitors had not dejreloped one attack, buteHazell now triedi a. drop kick at goal'f.rom the centre‘ line, which fell short. The New Zea.langiers at once altered their ta’cti'es}, High kicking and fast following up enabled them to work for the first time into loca’i territory. De Wet made a. dash, but was collared in time. Still play was brought back into the All Black lines, Fierce footwork saw‘. the visitors back in midfield, and a. pretty movement was spoiled by Storey knocking on; but the zittack lacked; sting. The Rand forward: cleared, and gave the backs a chance, but De Wet and Laubscher Were at fault. NEW’ ZEALANDERS TAKE CONTROL 4

The New Zealand forwards then‘

took control, Cockroft leading a tremendous ruch, swamping everything,’ and developing into a mass over the ball, and it. was finpossible to say who scored the try. The kick failed, but the Pacific players were at it again‘ when the interval arrived. with the

visitors a try up. As in the first half, the reopening was in favour of the Rand representativcs. Their forwards carrying the serum, play Settled in the Military‘ quarters. ;\»lcNaught, ever prominent‘ saved his side from a. dangerous posi.tion, and took the play into the Transvaal half. Touch-kicking followed, and the “All Blacks” showed skill in hand. ling and kicking. Tho" worked forward inch by inch, :1: 7 Hazell, from.about. 35 yards, kicked a fine’ goal, judging the distance brilianily. A surprise attack by the Rand‘ called on the visitors to defend, and opening up the ganlewith well-timed passing, the home team nearly scored. but the backs lacked the necessary force. - -.

Kennedy tried to run through, but was brought down. Laubscher obtained and kicked for goal, but missed, and the surprise attack came to an end. From the kick the Military shut the

game up, play being very fast. The Rand represellt*:’{fiVes then attacked vigorously, working their way down, in the course of which Rutherford had to be carried off‘ the field. The home side tried very hard to gain a point, buf all their rushes came to nought, and the match ended wit}! victory for the New Zealand team. New Zealand, 1‘ t?_{', 1 mark g'oa3 (6 points); Witwatersrand, 0.