GREAT RUGBY WIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1942, Page 3

GREAT RUGBY WIN

SCORED BY NEW ZEALANDERS. OVER REST OF EGYPT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, February 3. With backs and forwards collaborating cleverly in a series of thrilling attacks, the Second N.Z.E.F. Rugby team overwhelmed the Rest of Egypt, 22-0, at Alexandria. Glorious pace by the New Zealand backline time and again brought the crowd of 10,000 roaring to its feet. The star of the match was J. I. Perriam (Otago), the New Zealand centre-threequarter. who was the presiding genius of the back attack. Four tries, two converted, and two penaltygoals were scored by the New Zealanders. Their try-getting .was a classic example of the benefits that accrued from swift and accurate passing and constructive supporting play by backs and forwards alike.

Plenty of weight in the set scrums gave the All Black hooker Lambourn every opportunity, and he heeled with regularity for the greater part of the match. Parsons behind the scrum, with beautifully accurate dive passes, had the New Zealand backline frequently sailing in full cry for The Rest goal line, and it was only resolute tackling by the defenders, notably Van der Walt, full-back, Freeman, one of the centres, and the scrum-half, Rayment, that kept the score from being even higher in New Zealand’s favour.

With The Rest’s backs moving up fast qn the attackers, it was Perriam’s guile and subtlety that gave the attack the essential thrust that paved the way to success. Van der Walt, the South African, played with the polish of that brilliant Springbok full-back, Gerry Brand. His kicking with either foot was long and accurate, his anticipation uncanny, his tackling relentless and the manner in which he picked up the rolling ball from the feet of onrushing New Zealand forwards was superb.

Perriam opened the score with two penalty goals. Before the end of the first spell, tries were scored by Burgess, Pye and Finlay, the last-named’s try being converted by Fleming. Parsons raced clean through to the fullback without a hand being laid on him, drew Van der Walt and unloaded on the blind side to Hegglun, who ran behind the posts for Perriam to convert.