SPRINGBOKS EXTENDED

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20257, 28 July 1937, Page 8

SPRINGBOKS EXTENDED

COMBINED TEAM DEFEATED 6-3.

• THOUSANDS WITNESS THRILLING MATCH.

FORWARD STRUGGLE ON HEAVY GROUND. HISTORY REPEATED BY NARROW VICTORY. History repeated itself when the touring Springboks’ team had another very narrow win at Hamilton. In 1921, the visiting South Africans just beat the Combined King Country-Thames Valley side 6 —o and to-day the game was even closer, there being only three points between the sides at the end of the game. The Combined team gained a lead of 3 —o in the first half but could not hold off the determined Springboks’ forwards in the closing stages.

Following a rather threatening morning, with intermittent heavy showers, the weather continued showery, with a chill wind, for the match between the touring Springboks and the Combined Waikato-King Country-Thames Valley team, at Rugby Park, Hamilton, this afternoon.

By 2 p.m. the crowd of 13,000 which witnessed the Combined team’s match against the 1930 British team, was easily exceeded. The banked side of the field was black, while inside the .fence hundreds of schoolchildren were seated on boards in front of the temporary staging.

The weather had taken up slightly after some very heavy showers as the teams made their appearance. The size and weight of the Combined team was disappointing in comparison with/the solidity of the Springboks, both forward and in the rearguard, as it was thought that there would not be much between the teams.

The teams were as follows: SOUTH AFRICA. Brand Turner, Hofmeyer, Lochmer, Lyster Van de Vyver de Villiers Van den Berg Bastard. Bergh, Nel, Strachan Martin, Lotz, Jennings COMBINED TEAM. Nelson, Catley, Margan Wynyard, Trustlum, Trust, Best Lceson Robinson Crossman, Cameron Phillips, Everest, Dixon Childs. Referee: Mr J. A. Malcolm. The teams were given a great ovation when they appeared on the field with Hie Combined team coming first. The visitors were given a most cordial reception, cheering lasting for some minutes,. Their splendid physical appearance made a great impression No time was wasted, cheers were exchanged, the captains shook hands and the South Africans took their position defending the northern end. Brand returned the kick off, finding ihe line at halfway. The visitors took the first line out, but were penalised for obstruction. Crossman took the kick, failed to find the line and Brand

Trust turn and Best came right down with the ball at their feet and Brand brought the crowd to their feet with a wonderful save. The home forwards were making the play very fast.

Wynyard broke away from a scrum but kicked a bit too hard and the ball went to Lochmer who found the line at halfway. Best tried lo break away from Ihe line out, but was beaten for the ball and Childs missed a high punt, things looking dangerous. A moment later, however, he effected a

very good save, finding the line with a great kick in face of a great forward rush. The Combined forwards

carried the line out, but again South Africa swept down the field and Childs just managed lo get the hall t<# the line. Keeping up the pressure the green forwards led by Nel and Strachan came right to the local line where a scrum went down. The hall came out io Van den Berg and Ilofmeyer who attempted a field goal which missed. Combined Team Scores. The kick off went out on the full and a scrum was formed on the twenty five. De Villiers shot the ball out to Hofmeyer who was caught in possession, and the Combined forwards came away but a penalty kick taken by Turner found the line in Waikato territory. An exchange of kicks saw Brand find the line at half way. The combined team then came with a great rattle, the forwards sweeping right down the field. It was an irresistible rush with the ball at their toes right from their own twenty five and amid tremendous excitement they went over the line and Trustlum scored a great try. Best’s kick at goal failed, and the score stood Combined 3 South Africa 0 Martin fielded the kick out and after play in mid-field a scrum was ordered, but from a penalty to South Africa Brand kicked high. The green forwards were right on it. De Villiers tried lo break through but was pulled down by Trusttum and again the Combined forwards came away with the hall at their feet. There was a scrum on tlie local twenty-five when Hie Combined team screwed and, led by Wynyard, they broke away, but Van den Berg stopped the movement with a screw kick to Hie line. From the line-out the Combined team 'packed around smartly and a scrum was ordered. The ball shot out to do Villiers. but solid tackling prevented the movement and the ball went out five yards from Ihe home team’s line. From a scrum in a dangerous position the hall came out to Robinson who kicked hard and Brand failed to field it. The local forwards were right on lo him but offside play gave South Africa relief. The forwards caught Van den Berg in possession and the ball came out to Phillips who centred, but another penalty against Combined saw Brand {make no mistake in finding the line. A scrum followed on ihe halfway line. 'lhe ball coming out lo South Africa. * Van den Berg tried to go through ‘ Wynyard and Martin led a good rush, hut Lyster fielded nicely and found tin line al halfway. Everest got in a good speculator which Brand relumed to Phillips. The local forwards were going strongly Land a penally kick to Combined for , obstruction was entrusted lo Margan. j it was from near the side line, hut the I kick failed. Lochmer sent the lealli- | or down lo Childs. Hoffmeyer fielded ,!ho re I urn and sent Turner for him to ! pul in a clever run and gain groundj A scrum followed on Ihe local twenly--1 IH c yard mark which South Africa | won. hut Wynyard came around 100 j quickly. Brand took Hie kick, punt-

sent the ball out near halfway. Again South Africa won the line out, but from a ruck the Combined team hoiked the ball, shot out to Robinson to Cameron and out to Phillips who found the line. Then came a pretty movement, de Villiers cutting- out two men but the movement broke down and a scrum followed. Robinson took Ihe ball out to Hie scrum and a penalty to South Africa was taken by Brand. Phillips Took the ball cleanly and punted high, the local forwards swarming down Hie field. There was some heavy rucking and then Phillips made a beautiful break with the hall at his loes and readied Hie South African twenty-five. With a great rush the South Africans swept down the field, and Childs fumbled badly, but Everest raced across and offer led a great save. Some close play followed and then, led by Wynyard, I lie Combined forwards came well away and relieved Ihe pressure, the'ball going out. into South African territory, where Van den Berg got away nicely. Some close play followed and then came another rush by the greens, but Van den Berg was offside and a free kick returned play to halfway. The Combined forwards won Hie line-out, and ilio ball came out tc Cameron. Van den Berg hooked Hie ball out, and Dixon was caught in possession and flic visitors swept to Ihe local twenty-five. The local forward? retaliated, and Robinson got in a splendid kick and found Hie line in neutra territory. Springboks on Attack. Using the side line well. Hie green; worked their way down and then Var den Berg sent his backs away, bu Dixon -secured and found tlie line. Pin: was in Waikato territory. A scruir was carried by ihe visitors and the Iml went out io Hofmeyer, who gainer ground and then kicked. There was a series of line-outs just on the Com liincd twenty-five, where Ihe greens were awarded a free kick. It was taken by Brand, and I lie crowd awaited in silence tlie result of Ihe first kicl at goal of the. day. Brand made ; man fielded the hall well and foum Ihe line at Ihe twenty-five mark. Soul! Africa kept up Ihe pressure and I her were serums. From one. Ihe bail wen out to Turner who missed his pass The local forwards led by \\ ynyard

ing high. Then came a pretty movement, Van den Berg sending his backs away. Childs overran the kick but good backing up enabled the local team to find the line.

Crossman Relieves the Pressure. Play was right in Combined territory and there was a scrum twelve yards from the line. The ball did not go in properly and the scrum went down again, Catley hooking it and the local forwards screwing well broke away. De Villiers went down to stop the rush, but the ball came to Crossman who relieved the pressure with a good kick to the side line. Then came a sparkling movement. De Villiers was well tackled by Cameron but the ball shot out to Hoffmeyer and to Turner who was grassed by Dixon. The local defence was being thoroughly tested, but the tackling was sound. Winning a line-out Hie South Africans, using the sideline, cleverly gained ground. De Villiers was pulled down and then Trusttum, Leeson and Nelson led a good rush. Visitors’ Strong Advance. From a line out Crossman picked up the ball well and kicked to Lochmer whose return was snapped up by Robinson and play moved to halfway. Some close play followed and Nel and Jennings led the green forwards down. Some close play followed. Nelson breaking through well. An exchange of kicks saw the South African backs take the ball at their toes right to the goal line. A scrum went down right on the local line, Strachan tried lo dive through but was held up and whipped Hie hall out to Lochmeyer who made a dive but was just short and the ball was kicked out of his hands.

The Combined found relief in a good line kick. Shortly afterwards Best and Leeson led a forward rush, but the kick was 100 hard and tlie ball went beyond tlie dead ball line.

Nel failed to field Ihe kick out and shortly afterwards the whistle went with play in mid-field with ihe score una Berea.

Best was injured but continued. Nel. came through but Robinson stopped the rush and Margan was forced out near the line.

The game had been played at a tremendous pace and liie forward rush was one of the most sparkling movements ever seen on a local football ground. The local forwards had more than held their own in the scrums, but the visitors had carried a clear majority of the line-outs.

THE SECOND HALF. South Africa kicked off and Trusttum found the line where the visitors won Ihe line-oui. The green forwards came through and Childs with a good speculator sent the ball down, Brand finding the line at midfield. Then South Africa carried the scrum, Do Villiers- gaining ground with a good kick. Then came a great rush, Childs going down on the ball right on the line. Wynyard and Best broke away only to be stopped by Van den Berg. Then Robinson hooked the ball out to Cameron on to Everest and Dixon who kicked well down. A series of

scrums followed and de Villiers smothered Robinson, kicking right down to Childs who found the lino. An infringement in Hie scrum gave Combined a chance. Phillips raced up to the ball and gained ground with a great run. Then the Combined team came well away, the ball going out ten yards from the South African line. Robinson tried lo force his, way over and a scrum followed. The visitors screwed it and Van den Berg and Nel led a good rush, but Childs sent the ball back almost to the line.

There was a scrum in a good position but South Africa hooked it and de Villiers shot a Jong pass out to Lochmer who found the line. Catley tried lo force his way through, but was pushed out and a scrum was

ordered in South Africa’s territory. Combined won it hut Robinson was pulled down. Crossman snapping ihe ball up, found the line well down. SoiiHi Africa rallied, but Van den Berg was pulled down by Cameron. Phillips speculated and again Combined attacked. Leeson tried to force his way through but was pushed out. Robinson feil his backs but Cameron was pulled clown by Bastard and a long kick gave The visitors relief. The Springboks took a scrum instead of a line-out on the Combined’s twentyfive. Crossman look his pass well, but tlie movement broke down and Lochmer found the line inside Hie local twenty-five. A scrum followed the line-out and llic local defence was tested !*ut the tackling was solid, Everest being very safe. Another scrum followed on the twenty-five, but a free kick gave the Combined welcome relief. Van den Bepg Breaks Away. South Africa took a scrum and Van den Berg led a great rush right to the local, line, helped by some faulty fielding. The visitors were now right

on Hie line and Ihe excitement was intense, but another infringement in Hie scrum gave Combined a free kick. Leeson and Wynyard came through with the. hall at Hieir loes and Ihe hall came out lo Phillips who found Ihe line at mid-lie Id. Tight play in mid-field followed and I lien Wynyard broke rigid away, but Brand took Ilio DaII right off Ids toes and found the line with a great effort. The. South African forwards came away, but a scrum was ordered and the visitors screwed it. They gained little ground, however. Van den Berg punted high and Childs, after fumbling, managed to find the line. Play was right on Ihe local line and a scrum was ordered hut again an infringement penalised South Africa and Ihe kick found loin-h at Hie twenty-five yard mark. De Villiers broke away but Ihe defence of the inside local hacks was splendid and Trustlum. Nelson and Best broke away. Al once ihe visitors swept right down ami only good play by Grossman prevented a score. A scrum followed hul the visitors could nol penetrate the local defence. Scrum followed scrum right on the local line.

A scrum collapsed and the ball went right out to Lyster who found the line. The local forwards got de Villiers but Bastard led a good rush. Then came a sparkling rush. The ball went to Lochmer who sent a long pass to Hofmeyer. This player made a great bid but was pulled down near the line and a free kick to the Combined team right on the line brought relief. Leeson’s Pretty Footwork. Robinson was hurt in the melee, but continued. The Combined team broke away led by Margan and good forward j play carried the ball to half way. South ( Africa returned to the attack and , Childs made a risky save, but at once the green forwards got right to the line, and the ball went dead. The kick out saw play in midfield and then the South African forwards, led by Lotz, came with a great rush to the home twenty five. De Villiers was pulled down and Leeson with pretty foot-work carried the ball downfleld. The pace was Iremendous and again a free kick gave the local team a respite. Strachan fielded the kick and claimed a mark, punted high and Childs found the line at the twenty-five flag. Off side play by Robinson gave the visitors a penalty and Hofmeyer had a shot at goal which went under the bar. A heavy shower was falling and the ball was difficult to handle. There was an exchange of kicks, but play kept in the local twenty-five. Robinson frustrating a strong attack. Visitors Open Their Account. A pass from de Villiers was intercepted by Cameron who kicked down field and Lochmer recovering well passed to Brand who found the line. South Africa came again hut a fine kick by Everest sent them back to mid-field. A scrum was carried by South Africa. Turner with a splendid cross kick sent Lyster away. The visiting forwards led by Nel and Baslard forced their way downfleld. A free kick was awarded South Africa for obstruction and Turner, from a 1 comparatively easy position, made no | mistake with the kick. 3 South Africa 3 t Combined 3 The kick out was calle'd back and' a scrum followed. The ball came out to de Villiers, but he was pulled down by Nelson and the ball came out to Lochmer. Then Lyster went down to a good forward rush and hard forward play saw South Africa again attacking. Leeson kicked down field and an exchange of kicks saw Brand find the line with a long waiting kick right on the twenty-five flag. Close play followed. Bastard came through, but Crossman found the line near the corner flag. The Combined forwards came away and forced Turner into touch. Again the local forwards, playing a great game, came away with Margan and Catley in the lead, but an infringement slopped the movement. South Africa hooked the ball from the scrum and punted high. Childs was caught in possession and South Africa carried another scrum,, but the local defence was solid. Nel led a great attack, but the local forwards with a great rush swept down only to have Brand make a fine save, finding the line at nrdfleid.

The Springboks carried another | 1 scrum and de Villiers sent a long kick ! down to Childs and then came an ex- 1 change of kicks. The South African ' forwards came with a rattle, following up in great style. Strachan snapped up the ball right off Childs’ foot and went over for a great try. Turner missed with the kick, and the score stood: South Africa 6 Combined 3 Combined Team Attacks. From Ihe kick out the Combined team came with a great rush, Phillips coming up fast to gain ground. The ball went right to Ihe visitors’ line. There was some hard rucking and j from a scrum on the South African j twenty-five line, the South African backs came away. Childs fielded Ihe | kick, but gained little ground and j immediately Loehmer led a good attack which Cameron stopped cleverly. At once South Africa attacked but Robinson snapped up the ball. From close play Best, Margan and Leesou broke away, but at once South Africa retaliated and Lochmer caught Childs in possession. Wynyard came I through with the ball at his toe and j Jennings went down on the ball. | From a free kick lo Combined Cross- | man kicked well down, but Brand, fielding beautifully, found the line near the halfway flag and at once the whistle sounded. The final score was: South Africa f» Combined 3 AWAY FROM THE BUSTLE. ROUND OF GOLF ENJOYED. | With Ihe hustle In town this morning and the atmosphere of Rugby I 'everywhere, the captain of the louring Springbok learn. P. J. Nel. decided | • hat ids men be taken out of town i into the quiet of the countryside so | Rial they micht return fresh for Ihe big game this afternoon. I Many of Ihe visitors are ardent golfers and «o liie invitation of the Ilam- ! ; lton Golf Club to play a round at. the St. Andrews links was eagerly accepted. The footballers enjoyed the surroundings at the links and appreciate ; ed llie morning tea provided by the club. Other members of the team enjoyed a motor drive around the countryside this morning. The touring team returned to ihe i hotel about midday and lunched shortly afterwards. CAUGHEY’S POSITION. NOT ASKED TO TRAIN. AUCKLAND. Wednesday. A report circulated in Auckland I yesterday llinl 'l'. 11. C. Caughey had • been requested by four members of i ihe New Zealand Rugby selection ! committee I" turn out in a club match j next Saturday on account of ttieir . anxiety that lie should go into training j with flic All Blacks for a week prior ■ in the first lest match against the \ Springboks is apparently without foun- I dal ion. In Hie early part of last I week, before the New Zealand I selectors arrived in Auckland. Caughey informed a reporter that tie intended playing for University next Saturday. Mr E. McKenzie a New Zealand selector, said lie had made a friendly call upon Caughey on Tuesday in company with Mr A. A. Adams, another selector, and he merely expressed Ihe wisli that the Aucklander's services would not he lost to the game. Mr Adams said that no suggestion had been made about Caughey going into an All Black camp

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAME

TRUSTTUM’S FINE SCORE. EVEREST DEFENDS WELL. VAN DER VYVER PROMINENT. The enthusiasm of the large crowd was not materially dampened by the heavy showers which fell in Hamilton during the day and both teams received a tumultuous welcome as they filed on to the field at the commencement of the game. There was a keen edge to the breeze and the ground was very heavy after the rain, and the cutting-up it got in ttie course of the first curtain-raiser game.

Waikato got the ball from the first three scrums, but Robinson was penalised for kicking the ball out of a scrum. Conditions were all against open play, though ’both sets of backs were attempting to give the crowd a glimpse of open football. A fine piece of covering-up work by Everest saved the Combined team from an awkward situation when Childs failed to take a high ball. Combined Team Attacks. The ground was soon a sea of mud but the Combined team’s forwards, attacking very low, were bolding t be heavier visitors’ van. The first really spectacular incident of the match came when Everest and then Rest took the home team well into South Africa’s territory with the forwards in full cry after them. Rrand picked the greasy ball tip smartly, evaded several tackles and found the line well downfield past, the half-way line. Realising that it was Impossible to handle Hie heavy ball, first Van der Vyver and then Do Villiers slab-kicked for a gap and sent their wingers after the ball. Childs managed to get there first each time, however, and found the line. The home team Inside backs were getting up smartly on to the Springboks’ inside and nipping their attacks in the bud.

First Try to Combined Team. The first try of the match, after 20 minutes’ play, was scored by the home team, following a break down midfield, with the ball at toe, by Crossman. the forwards following the movement on for Trusttum to pick up and dive over from a melee close to the goal-line. The try was unconverted. The visiting backs were utilising the line even more than they did in Auckland and gradually gained ground in this manner.

The Combined team were playing a more virile type of Rugby than that played by the Aucklanders on Saturday and they were battling the opposing backs with great effect. Offside play by Margan thrice checked the home team’s attack but Brand could not make much use of the freekick owing to the heavy and greasy ball. Everest again came to Combined team’s rescue when Dixon missed a tackle, by taking Turner round the heels as he was racing down the line.

South Africa pleased the crowd by attempting to open the attack, despite the appalling conditions. Finding these tactics of little avail, the visitors resorted to short passing between the forwards, Bergh and Strachan making progress in this manner. The ground being heavy was treacherously slippery and many promising movements were ruined when both sets of backs found their feet going from under them. Van de Vyver was again in the picture when he dribbled the hall for ten or twenty yards, but the defence, despite a severe battering, was holding splendidly. Field Cuts Up Badly. Considering Hie conditions, the first half of the match was all that could be expected. The ground was really atrocious, any semblance of orthodox Rugby being out of Hie question. and the tactics that were succeeding, were those copied from the Soccer game. The Combined team had done very well to establ’sh a load on theh visitors, who, however, wore never at home in the conditions. As in Ihe Auckland game, Ihe visitors were dom natng the line-outs, while the scrums were very even, the line-outs being. 12 to 9 in favour of South Africa and Ihe scrums s to 7. also in the visitors’ favour. As also was the case-in the Auckland match, the visitors had by far the greater advantage from the free kicks, saving been awarded, in the first half, eight to the Combined side’s three. Grossman again came Into prominence in the opening stages of the second half, when he cut round the blind side and heat two men before givinar Dixon a gallop down the line, but there was never any likelihood of a score, as the visiting backs were just as solid as Hie home team on defence. Ch Ids Goins Applause. Childs had made very few mistakes j at fullback up to this stage and de- , served the applause he received /or clean handling and good kicking in sustaining Hie attack. The excitement of Hie crowd was well maintained during Ihe first ten minutes of Ihe second • half, when Ihe Combined team were consistently on the attack. It was left to Van de Vyver to relieve Ihe pressure on South Africa with accurate line-kicking, hut t lie home team's tin** pack, in which Best. Trust - turn and Wynya-d were always prominent. slaved off Hie resulting attack. j It was now a case for the Combined team lo hang desperately to their lead as Hie visitors launched attack alter attack, with their live-eighths kicking deep into Hie home team's territory, and following up fast. Three t ines they were handy and eacli time the home team was relieved by free kicks against do Villiers for putting the ball crookedly into Hie scrum llofmeyer. who had impressed j several limes with l'ghtning thrusts • down I lie centre at every opportunity j raised South Africa's hopes when lie evaded Everest’s larkle by side slipping I and shot through, tut Ch'lds hold him 1 up until Ihe rest of Ihe park got hack '. and Hie Combined learn forced down. ! Bobinson. the home half, was taken [ off injured and Margan. one of Hie forwards, was placed in position be- ' bind Hie scrum after 20 minutes bad j gone, and rain at this stage further ' handicapped both tearns, particularly j the home side who wore playing into j the wind. Childs was speculating successfully when the ball came near him and flits was the only tiling that lie could do. Brand was much more impressive 10-day than lie'was in Auckland. fielding the heavy ball exceptionally well and also picking il up spirndidl.v. His line kicking never faltered. Turner's Equalising Kick. hne thing that Brand could md control to-day was his goalkicking and it was left to Hie reserve fullback. Turner, on the wing, to kick the goal that placed the teams level with only (Continued In next column.)

ten minutes left to play. The penalty followed a flagrant offside by a Waikato forward who was mdistinguishand it was impossible lo tell at the aide in the mud. There was no semblance of colour in any of the jerseys time for which side the man with Hie hall was playing. It was torrid going 1 in the forwards at tllls stage, with the Combined team still holding their However, the defence slackened towards Ihe end and South Africa’s consistent l»ar rage bore fruit when Strachan heat Childs for the touchdown. The excitement when the home team went immediately to tlie attack on the resumption was intense. Phillips came into the p’eture when lie followed up fast and dived for the line loit Brand was there first and tlje game, that was heller than could l«ew expected under the atrocious rondi-z lions, ended in a narrow win for Hie Springboks, r,—:t.