WIN FOR SPRINGBOKS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1921, Page 5

WIN FOR SPRINGBOKS

DEFEAT OF AUCKLAND. TWENTY-FOUR TO EIGHT. RAPID SCORING. By Telegraph —Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The match between the South Africans and Auckland (South and North Auckland combined) was played at Eden Park to-day before an attendance of 25,000. 'The weather was ideal, with a light breeze across the ground, which was fast and dry. From an early hour spectators thronged the ground and eevdral curtain-raisers were played. As ; non-playing South Africans took their seats in front of the stand the spectators gave them three hearty cheers. Two forty minute spells were played at the visitors’ request. The South African team wa« as telegraphed yesterday, except that Mellish replaced Pienaar, Kruger' captaining the team. The Auckland team was unchanged. The Africans won the toss and Auckland kicked off against the sun. but their opening rush was nullified by a free kick for off-side. As the result of ft good kick by Strauss in Auckland’s half play was worked down to Auckland’s twentyfive, but from a line-out an Auckland forward rush transferred play to Africa’s twenty-five, where Kruger and Van Rooyen broke through to half-way, Tindall finding the line inside Auckland’s twenty-five. Then Rooyen started a passing rush to near the line, where t'he was stemmed. Another passing rush among the backs ended in Grierson saving by a kick, and an Auckland rush ended in a force. Play was then carried to Auckland’s twenty-five and a force by the locals resulted. Shortly afterwards, from a scrum in Auckland territory, the African half (Clarkson) ran round and made an opening, passing to Zeller, who gave the dummy to two Aucklanders and scored a fine try. G. Morkel converted.

South Africa 5 Auckland 0 Give and take play followed. Then, by a series of scrums and line-outs, the Africans worked down field. Townsend, Van Heerden and Clarkson operated in a promising rush, which was spoiled by a knock-on. A few minutes later a pass ing rush by the visitors’ backs was stopped by C. Badeley near the line. The Africans made determined attacks, until Ifwerson transferred play by a good kick. Mulling by Tindall let Nicholas and Lomas through, but a free kick on the line relieved. Auckland then attacked, until a free kick sent' play to half-way. Clarkson and Zeller then got near the line, but a tackle stopped the effort. Another run by R. Morkel was stopped by C. Badeley. Strauss then worked into a good position, but his kick was smothered. Kicks were interchanged and then from the Africans’ half the two Badeleys ran, the latter finding the line, near the African twentyfive. Another free kick to Africa was returned by Muir to within the twentyfive, and for the remainder of the spell play was in neutral territory. The spell !ended:— South Africa 5 Auckland . 0 Shortly after resuming Townsend sent ' the ball to Zeller on the blind, side, the latter nearly scoring, hut after resisting a strenuous attack Muir, Badeley, and Ifwerson carried play to the African twenty-five. The visitors, however, worked back until Weston gathered up and ran almost to the twenty-five. Townsend got the ball from the ruck and passed low to Zeller, who scored G. Morkel failed to convert. South Africa . 8 Auckland 0 From a penalty near half-way Ifwerson had. a fruitless kick, and from a scrambling rush Auckland forced. Several passing rushes by Africa were nipped in the bud and later Nicholas and Lomas were associated in a rush. Then V. Badeley goaled from a free kick. South Africa 8 < Auckland 3 Soon after Clarkson gotsaway. but Muir proved safe by a magnificent tackle. Then Townsend picked up from the loose, and passed to Zeller, who heat all the Auckland backs and scored. G. Morkel failed to convert. South Africa 11 Auckland 3 The African backs started passing, but a mull enabled V. Badeley to save by a good kick. From, the lino-out well in Auckland’s twenty-five Ellis secured and passed to Clarkson, to Strauss, to Van Heerden. and the latter scored under the goal. G. Morkel converted. South Africa 16 Auckland 3 Another African promising back rush was spoiled by mulling, but the backs continued throwing the ball about until forced. From well in Auckland’s twenty-five Strauss and Clarkson passed to Zeller, who scored, G. Morkel not converting. South Africa 19 Auckland 3 Auckland then attacked, Grierson, Lomas and McHugh being prominent, as the result of which Ifwerson scored, V. Badeley converting. South Africa 19 Auckland 8 With ten minutes to go play became willing. Ifwerson stopped an African forward rush and passed to Muir, who kicked. Fletcher, by fast following up, gained further ground by a. kick. Auckland continued to attack. Within a few minutes of time Townsend got the ball from the loose and passed to Tindal, who. side-stepping Auckland backs, scored under the posts. G. Morkel converted. South Africa 24 Auckland 8 Then V. Badeley, from a free kick, had a fruitless kick at goal and the whistle sounded:— South Africa 24 Auckland 8 The match was not characteristic by spectacular work. Auckland lacked combination. any effort being individual. The tackling was also weak, being responsible for several tries. The forward' seemed to lack pace, but showed clacnw footwork. rwi good &

tack, but did not get enough of the ball, as the Africans had the better of the scrums, and their backs when going were too speedy. . Of the individuals in the Springboks G. Morkel was safe, but had comparatively little to do. Van Heerden. Clarkson and Zeller, in the three-quarter line, were good, Zeller being the best threequarter on t'he field. Tindall did fairly well and Townsend also played well. Ellis was the best forward on the ground, Van Rooyen being also good. For Auckland V. Badeley played a very sound game and C. Badeley was also good. Of the forwards Fletcher was outstanding and McHugh played well. In the second spell Milliken replaced Nicholas as rover. COMMENT ON THE RULES. The visitors were entertained tonight bv the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr. Bennett (the manager) said he had heard New Zealand was progressing ns regards Rugby and that Africa and Britain represented to a certain extent the conservative element. He must say that after his experience in New Zealand he wondered whether it was not progress so much as an obsession. He would leave it at that. He had been instructed by the African Council to play only under the rules authorised by the English Union. So far ns Africa was concerned football under those rules was good enough for players and spectators alike. As regards Auckland ho realised they were under ft d{«advantage. having played under amended rules and that the local score would have been better had the game been un.dor other conditions. It was the best game the tour.