SPRINGBOKS BEATEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1921, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS BEATEN.

VICTORY TO CANTERBURY. SIX POINTS TO FOUR. AN EXCITING MATCH. By Tdcgraph.--”reas Association. Christchurch, July 30. The unexpected happened at Lancaster Park to-day, when Canterbury defeated the Springboks by six points to four. There was an attendance of between twelve and fourteen thousand, and the scene when the final bell sounded was indescribable—the crowd swarmed all over the ground and cheered Canterbury’s representatives. It was unfortunate that, the weather, which has been abnormally good for weeks, should, have broken this morning. A steady, soaking downpour fell practically up till noon, and then it ceased. As a consequence tho ground was very greasy, and a heavy shower of rain soon after the opening of the second spell did not improve the conditions. It was dead calm. The Canterbury team wo,s picked with an eye to the defensive, but very few people favored their chances. They played above themselves; their defence and attack were splendid, but open play was out of the question, and every time it was essayed deadly Uokling brought it to an abrupt conclusion. It was mainly a. forward battle, and towards the end was extremely fast, the scene of operations being changed in a flash. The home forwards were superior in the loose, but in tight, stuff their bulky opponents were slightly better Tho Springboks were conspicuous by their slowness. They did not display the same snap and vim as Cautefbury, but thev handled the ball excellently and tacklei'l with great determination. Canterbury carried the bulk ofe the scrums, but this advantage was nullified by the tackling of the other side. It was a. great game, and only for- Ellis losing the ball *when over the line would have gone in the Springboks’ favor by 7 points to 6. Tho teams were: ' South Africa.—G. P. Merkel, C. Du Meyer, W. C. Zeller, W. Clarkson. S. S. Strauss, J. Micha.u, J. Tindall, Roy Morkel, W. 11. Morkel, T. B. Pienaar, M. Ellis. J. W. Van Rooyen, N. Dupicsses, F. Mellish, Mi chai i. Canterbury.—C. E. Evans, W. Ford. J. McCormack. G. R. ’Wilson, C. Deans, R. Evans, H. Mullins, W. Carnegie. E. Cummings, W. Cummings, G. P. Murray, K. Henderson. L, Peterson, E. H. Ellis, 11. G. Munroe. THE FIRST SPELL. South Africa kicked off and Murray’s I return was fielded by Tindall, who [ found the line. The visitors essayed passing rushes, but Meyer hesitated and [ Wilson smothered him. Canterbury attacked, but off-side play nullified the 1 efforts Canterbury were again penalisled when their offensive looked promising. Mullins set his backs going, and exciting play ensued near the visitors’ line, and Murray bullocked his way across, but was called Lack. Play was of a scrambling variety and mostly in the Springboks’ favor. Canterbury worked their way up and Doans, get- ' ting possession, punted nicely. Nelson followed up, got tho ball, beat Meyer and Morkel, and scored amid thunderous applause. McCormack missed the kick. Canterbury 3 Springboks 0 Canterbury, by means of line play and short, forward rushes, kept the viaitors penned in their own i weiiLy-five, a. force eventually giving relief. Mullins made another good opening, but Evans missed his pass, and a good scoring opportunity was lost. Morkel, playing very, slackly, almost let his side down. Canterbury were playing above themselves and the Springboks scarcely ever get past half-way. McCormack had a fruitless shot from a- penalty. Baby Michau, with well directed lino kicks, enabled the visitors to reach Canterbury’s twenty-five, and from a line out the ball travelled to Strauss, who landed a beautiful goal from the field to tho delight of the crowd.

Springboks 4 Canterbury t 3 After a spell of even play the visitors opened out, but Evans intercepted, in a flash the Springboks ware busily defending. It was the nicest piece of play “so far seen. Mullins, Evans and Deans were associated in a Canterbury rush, which was countered by deadly tackling, and Canterbury found themselves defending their soal. A lucky line kiljjc gave them relief, and play was in mid-field when the bell sounded for half-time with the scores:— Springboks .............. 4 Canterbury 3 THE SECOND SPELL. The opening of the second spell was marked by a beautiful piece of passing by the Springboks. Gect.ng possession from a scrum in their own half, the ball was handled by all the backs, Evans downing Meyer in the nick of time. This taste of the visitors’ quality evidently annoyed Canterbury, for they in turn showed what they wore capable of. Mullins started ft movement which culminated in Ford getting across near rhe corner. Evans missed with the kick. Canterbury 6 Springboks 4 Canterbury began to sparkle, the backs showing excellent combination. The Springboks exhibited sterling defence. The light was failing, and ar. this stage rain set in. Tho visitors initiated an attack, but Morkel kicked too hard and Canterbury forced. The pressure was maintained. From a throw in Ellis got possession and fell over, but the greasy ball was jerked out of his hands and Canterbury forced It was a most lucky happening. Evans was prominent ft moment later in staving off another offensive, and play went back to mid-field. Using their weight, the Springboks came again, and inside the twenty-live Strauss had a pot, which fell under the bar. Amid deafening- applause Canterbury swept down field in loose formation. Morkel ending a fine effort, being tackled in possession. Good support, however, was handy, and Canterbury were sent back to mid-field. Deans and Evans were associated in a movement which resulted in the Springboks forcing. The rain had now ceased, but the ball and the ground were very greasy, and the light was very bad. Canterbury’s supporters were almost breathless in face of the solid

Springbok attack, and when Ford found the line a great, cheer went up. Evans was injured and had to leave the field, McCormack going to full-back. Canterbury forced the pace, Ted Cummings leading a loose forward rush, which Zeller pulled up. Nothing daunted the local men came again, and from a breach J. Mac Cormack had a fruitless shot. The Springboks rallied and carried play to their opponents' twenty-five. Canterbury broke away, and the Cummings brothers and Henderson had a clear field ahead; Strauss beat them for pace and forced. The Springboks attacked with great determination, fl. speculator by Mac Cormack saving tho situation. Another great onslaught by Canterbury snw the visitors gain relief by a force. Tho homo team were then forced by a <oo hard h kick, and the game ended a few moments later with Mullins leading a Canterbury rush, and the score:— Canterbury 6 Springboks ........... 4 Mr. Simpson (Wellington) refereed.