SPRINGBOKS WIN 19-5

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20255, 26 July 1937, Page 13

SPRINGBOKS WIN 19-5

TRIUMPHANT NEW ZEALAND DEBUT

AUCKLAND BEATEN IN HARD GAME FAIR PRELUDE TO DOMINION TOUR. HUGE CROWD WITNESS GOOD DISPLAY. (By Telegraph.—Times Special Reporter.) The prelude to the 1937 Springbok Rugby tour of New Zealand, the game between South Africa and Auckland, at Eden Park to-day, augured for the keenest series of battles among Rugby giants for more than a decade, when, after a match which was fought with great keenness, the visitors defeated Auckland by 19 points to 5. Enthusiasts were rewarded by a hard struggle, in which the tourists impressed as a solid combination. The team proved a smart set, formidable in all departments. The Auckland team, too, played well and in the closing stages rose to great heights, the forwards being outstanding.

A GREAT COMBINATION.

BABROW’S BRILLIANT FORM. EXCITING CLOSING STAGES. All roads in the Auckland province ksd to Eden Park to-day for the Springboks’ first match of their Dominion tour, and long before even the ©urtain-raisers commenced the ground Was filled to capacity. Special trains Irom all parts of the province brought lull complements of passengers, while |he main highways were congested With trafflo, and an even greater crowd than that which packed the ground for the test In Auckland against the 1930 Britishers was present when the game ieommenced. Enthusiasts had commenced to arIrive at the park from 3 o’clock this morning and when the match started ftt was estimated that the crowd numbered from 35,000 to 40,000. The weather was fine with a light breeze prevailing. The ground while slightly heavy, was in good order considering |he reoent rains experienced. At half-time the score was s—o in obe Springbok’s favour. The teams were as follows: — Auckland. Bush, Dick, Prentice, Byerley, Killeen, D. Solomon, Frankham, F. Solomon, Boekington, Hull, Lange, Anderson, Pearce, Hadley, Pepper, o Springboks. Martin, Lotz, Louw, Bastard, Strachan, Bergh, Jennings, Craven, Harris, Pester, Babrow, White, Williams, Brand, There was a deafening roar from One of the biggest crowds seen at Eden park when the Springboks, led by P. J. Nel, made their appearance through the gate entering the field from the dressing shed. The Auckland team received an equally warm reception. Auckland won the toss and defended the Dominion Road end, Babrow kicking ofT for the visitors. Auckland soon foroed play to the African half, Harris being oaught In possession after having received from Craven. In the subsequent melee CraVen again handled but a free kick to the visitors brought relief. Brand took the kick inside the Auckland half, but the attempt fell short. Killeen found the line near halfway. The Springboks’ pack brought the ball through and play was again centred In Auokland territory. From a subsequent scrum South Africa heeled cleanly but while they kept up the ittaok the Auckland pack was holding Its own. Then the Auckland forwards, breaking through, caught Craven napping. There was wild enthusiasm when Dick broke through to go down the line, but the bail went out of bounds and Soutli Africa retaliated from the subsequent throw-in, Nel taking It on from Craven to throw it out to Strachan, who failed to take it cleanly. With a speculator Lange oleared.

Hard Forward Work. Brand cleared with a magnificent klok, then an interchange of kicks robbed play temporarily of ttie spectacular. Loose play centred at halfway, both packs working strenuously for the upper hand, the heavy African eight pushing Auckland off the ball and proving superior up to this stage 'ln gaining possession. Frankli&m was ofT-side when ho came around too fast and Craven, drop kicking the free kick awarded, sent ttie ball down to Prentice, who cleared. Auckland hooked the ball t<> Frankham, who t* Hashed it t<> >olomon, but the movement was short-lived and (tie forwards again crowded on the ball. At ttiis etago Pearce had to leave the Held but he returned shortly afterwards. South Africa fielded the ball, Craven sending out to Harris and White. Then Babrow and Bester handled, the lastnamed being pulled down and the Auokland forwards carried the ball

down to well Inside African territory. Brand figured In a spectacular dash shortly after, being pulled by Byerley within ten yards of the Auckland line. D. Solomon found the line on the visitors’ twenty-five yard mark and from the scrum South Afrfca hooked, Craven knocking on as he attempted to whip out the ball. Solomon was caught in possession and the African pack took the ball to Auckland’s twenty-five, where Frankham whipped the ball out to Killeen, but Prentice, who handled subsequently, was pulled down in possession and from a scrum in Auckland’s 25, Africa heeled hut failed to push home the advantage. Play shifted to the visitors’ 25, but Nel cleared and Craven dummying the opposition made ground to within half way. Harris was injured shortly afterwards but was able to resume after receiving attention. Auckland hooked and Frankham handled to send to Solomon who took the ball to halfway. Hadley broke through with the ball at his toe, but play was still anchored on the half-way mark. Auckland won the next scrum and now appeared to be holding their own more. Babrow was floored In possession and Dick essayed a move on the wing, but failed to get far and a counter-attack launched by South Africa also proved abortive. First Blood to Afrloa. The first soore came when, in the Auckland 25, Harris gained possession to sling a long pass to Babrow who caught the opposition out of position to go over for a great try between the posts. Brand converted without difficulty. South Africa 5 Auckland 0 South Afri'ca attacked again on jesumption, the big visiting pack carrying play into Apokland territory. Hadley hooked the ball and Frankham attempted to clear, but Bastard came through to kick the ball out of his hands. Babrow snapped it up, to pass to Williams. The latter was grassed within striking distance of the Auckland line. The Auckland vanguard was making Herculean efforts In the face of a gruelling attack and relief came when after the Auckland hackline had handled the touchline was found near half-way. Hadley Hooking Well.

The South Africans' attacking combination loomed up, but D. Solomon stopped the rush and Killeen, securing sent the ball up the field again. Harris, White and Williams featured in a subsequent move, but deadly tackling on the part of the Auokland defence held the attack at bay. Hadley was working like a Trojan In the pack and It was his fine hooking that was mainly responsible for Auckland receiving as much of the ball as It was. Lockington broke through to send the Auokland pack In full cry, but Craven was there again to spoil a likely movement. Byerley then took a hand and dashing down the line was pushed out by Brand near the line. There were scenes of great enthusiasm as Auckland made strenuous endeavours to nullify Africa's advantage. 1 Off-side play by the visitors gave Auckland a free kick near half-way, tlie ball going out five yards inside Africa’s twenty-five. Craven's kicking transferred play to half-way and , Hadley, hooking from a subsequent scrum, sent Dick down the line and although supported by Solomon he was unable to pentrate further than a lew yards. The Auckland defence was still holding well and the visitors were (hiding it difficult to open up the game. Solomon was supported by Byerley in the next movement, but he was forced out by Strachan after covering little territory.

The entire African back -line then handled and they came through to the I Auckland twenty-five before Williams ! was forced out 10 yards Inside the I Auckland twenty-five. South Afrloa | Ueld the ball in the scrum and attemp- | fed to carry It through -but Hadley : hooked and Frankham sending to Solomon. relieved ttie pressure. However, ! Africa kept up the attack but an offside movement allowed Auckland to raise the siege. Auckland's Strong Bid. Auckland then took a hand on attack Killeen throwing out a long pass to Prentice whq kicked over the full hack s head. There was a race for the ball, but the South African custodian was able to force. Half-time sounded with ttie score, unaltered. South Africa 5, Auckland 0. South Africa 5 Auckland 0 THE SECOND SPELL. Bush kicked off after the spell and Louw was caught in possession, the hall going out in South Africa’s 25. I Solomon attempted to force his way through with ttie Auckland pack behind him, but play was held up when a scrum was ordered in the visitors’ 25. A free kick awarded Auckland was taken by Bush in a handy position, and, although a fine attempt, it was cari lied bv the breeze to the off side of I flie posts. Harris found the line near half-way but Auckland came again ami Killeen and Frankham handled in j a determined burst which was met with a vigorous and successful defence. Pretty Work to Score. Another free kiok to Auckland for obstruction tactics was awarded. Bush finding the line 10 yards from the Afri-

can line. From the line-out the African pack handled, but the Auokland forwards broke through and from a scrum Auckland gained possession, but an infringement gave the visitors a free kick. Graven sent the ball out at halfway mark. Harris beat his way past an opposing back, seeding a long.pass to White. The last-named flashed the ball to Babrow, who handled to Williams, who outpaced the opposition to soore in the corner. The klok failed to increase the tally. South Afrloa .... . ® Auckland O A free kick to Auokland allowed Bush to find the line on the half-way mark. Dick attempted to open up play, but the African forwards quashed the movement and play see-sawed In midfield. The Afrioan backs were now opening up the game more and a further attempt to storm the Auckland line saw the entire attacking line In aotidn, Babrow being foroed out In the Auckland 25. Auckland hooked the ball from their own goal line, Anderson kicking to bring relief. Afrloa were keeping up the pressure and again and again they sorely tried the home defence. Martin Up to Soore Brand was given the ball when Africa was awarded a free klok near the home 25, but a left-footed kick at goal failed and Killeen forced, Frankharn marked to stop an African rush,

Further points came to South Africa through the good followlng-up of Martin. Williams kioked high over the goal line and Bush failed to gather In the ball, Martin falling on it for a try. Brand made sure of the . kick. South Africa 13 Auckland O Auokland Over. Auokland oarrled the ball through at their toe to the visitors’ line and Frankham sent out to Solomon who attempted to dive over. Auckland kept up the pressure and from a scrum two yards outside the visitors’ line the home team hooked the ball, but It was knocked on. The ball came through to Prentice from a clearing kiok and as he was collared he sent out to Frankham flashed through fast to gather the ball and dive over the line under the posts. The kick was succe-ssfuL South Africa 13 Auckland 5 From the. drop .out Williams found the line near half-way. Auckland surged to the attack, when the backs were associated' In spectacular style. Byerley capping off the movement by flashing down the line to the Afrioan 25. The forwards then took a hand for Solomon to handle last, but his pass was Intercepted by Jennings who

knooked the ball on. Hadlee brolce through but was pulled down by Strachan at half-way and In the scrum Auckland pushed South Africa off the ball. Babrow Boores Again. The ball came to Frankham who transferred to Solomon who found the line. Afrloa's back line surged to the attaolc to take play to Auckland's 25, the visitors gaining possession from the scrum, for Babrow to out the defence to ribbons and go aoross for the visitors’ fourth try. Brand’s kick failed. South Afrloa - .r«. ... 16 Auckland 5 Solomon oleared with a well-judged kick to half-way, Frankham finding the line again. Then Auokland’s back lino operated and a fine movement was broken down only through Prentice knocking on when within striking distance of Africa’s base. Play soon seesawed back to home territory and a long* klok by Harris was forced by Bush. Brand essayed a field goal from near half-way, but his attempt failed. Beater’s Easy Try. Williams cut through the defence and Auckland were again in trouble 10 yards out from the line. Graven threw out a long pass to Williams, who sent to Babrow, who found the line. Dick relieved the pressure by carrying play to half-way, finding the line with a high kick. Babrow flashed into ttie limelight again when after Graven. Harris, and White had handled, lie cuf through I lie defence to transfer to Bester who went over for an easy try. Brand again failed with the kick. South Africa 19 Auokland 5 | Led by Hadley, lhe Auckland pack j carried play to Africa’s goal-line, but Brand was a safe custodian and he cleared t<> the twenty five. Not to be denied, the Auckland pack strove strenuously to pierce the defence and Lookington and Pearce in turn at-

tempted to dive over. Ttie defence held, however, hut then the home hacks came into the picture and there was great excitement as altack after attack was launched. Byerley being forced out of bounds 2 yards from his objective. The game ended without alteration In the score, South Africa ... 19 Auckland 5