ANOTHER VICTORY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 2 August 1937, Page 9

ANOTHER VICTORY.

SPRINGBOKsT. TARANAKI. SPECTACULAR PLAY. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 31. An efficient, well-knit and vigorous team, but not unbeatable—that was the impression left of the Springboks after they had beaten Taranaki by 17 points to 3 before a crowd of 20,000 at Rugby Park. It was team-work, positional play and sure handling that gave the South Africans victory over a team with individual brilliance but lacking cohesion and tackling sometimes not so well as it should have done. Lighter by over a stone a man, the Taranaki forwards often caused havoc in the loose, but the Springboks had a substantial advantage in scrums and line-outs. The ground was in better condition than any the Springboks had previously experienced in New Zealand, and the firm turf and dry ball were to their liking. Play was always open and spectacular, both sides using their backs frequently. The Springboks had almost their strongest team. The scores fairly indicate the merits of the play, although Taranaki was within inches of scoring three times. Since Taranaki may he taken as representing fairly the strength of New Zealand provincial teams, a good indication was given of the ability of the Springboks under favourable condiditions. The Springboks hacks were of even quality, excepting that Brand was not particularly impressive. His linekicking was sound, but his goal-kicking riot very successful. Williams and Turner, on the wings, were both dangerous, particularly Turner, who also kicked well. Bester scored two tries and played a fine game. Babrow was more subdued because lie was well marked. Harris and Craven were sound, and handled surely, and Craven used his dive pass in spectacular fashion.

GOT INTO TROUBLE. Van den Berg was the most noticeable forward because he did most work, particularly in the line-outs, and because he got into most trouble. Many penalties were given against him by the referee, Mr A. de Clifton. Strachan and Bastard were also prominent in the pack. Frequent .off-side play often stopped Springbok movements, and the scrummaging was not always satisfactory.

COLLINS NOT DISGRACED. Taranaki were never completely dominated and made frequent thrusts, both back and forward. If Brand worthily filled the full-back position for South Africa, Collins would not disgrace the All Blacks. His line-kicking was better than Brand’s, frequently driving the invading team back and gaining great slices of territory. His tackling was deadly, but his goal-kick-ing was not successful. Sullivan was outstanding at centre, and later at second five-eighth. He was prominent in many driving back nttneks. He and Smith were responsible for a spectacular piece of work when Smith scored. There was not a better forward on the ground than R. Clarke, the former All Black, who seems to have struck top form again. The Springboks played relentlessly. They asked no quarter and gave none.

QUICK HEELING. Quick heeling from the scrums, success in the line-outs, and the Springboks were soon storming the Taranaki 'line, but they committed frequent breaches. Brand narrowly missed an attempt at a field goal. The Springboks were frequently offside. Brand missed with a drop-kick from near half-way. Collins was doing fine saving work for Taranaki, and the home forwards were frequently bustling through. Working down to the Taranaki line, the Springboks hooked from a scrum. Craven’s dive pass flashqd out to M. Louw, who short passed for Bastard to dash over for a trju Brand’s kick from a fairly easy position failed. Collins was soon called upon to save by marking in the face of the charging Springbok forwards. Babrow, with a spectacular interception, was away, but was brought down by a great tackle by Collins. The Taranaki forwards had an inspired patch, and charged through. Taranaki heeled from a ruck, and C. Brown and Arnold were away for a certain try when they were recalled for an infringement. TARANAKI ATTACK. A Springbok being offside gave Clarke a good chance at goal, but he failed. The Taranaki backs opened out with fine passing, and swarmed on the line. Again the Taranaki hacks went away, hut were recalled for a forward pass. Arnold, the Taranaki half, was playing a good game, and the team attacked for a long period. Two line-kicks by Brand and Taranaki were defending desperately in the corner. McClenaghan was offside, and Turner kicked a fine goal.

Strachan and Van den Berg were prominent in line-out work before the spell ended, with the score: Springboks 6, Taranaki 0. The Springboks attacked immediately on resuming. After a quick throw-in near the line, the hall passed across the field for Bester to score an easy try. Turner missed the kick. RUNAWAY TRY.

There followed a period of intense excitement crowned by a runaway try. The Taranaki forwards fought desperately to the line, and Clarke was all but over. Smart footwork by the Springbok forwards and the ball came out to Williams, who ran almost the whole length of the field to 6core a spectacular try. Brand missed the kick. Taranaki followed up promptly with a wonderfully fine try. Sullivan broke away from the loose,' ran 50 yards through the opposition, and passed near the line to Smith, who scored. Collins failed with a difficult kick. Another thrilling attack by the Taranaki backs and Sullivan was taken by the feet a. foot short of the line. The ball came back and Sullivan ran round and missed a pot at goal, the ball going just under the bar. Taranaki sent in a series of stinging passing attacks which just fell short of success. Collins was responsible for good line kicking.

PROTESTS BY CROWD Van den Berg was continually infringing. Bester followed up a long kick to the line, but Sullivan raced him and forced. Protests came from the crowd when Richards was tackled and temporarily knocked out when not near the ba.ll. All the Taranaki backs handled well from a scrum, Sullivan and Smith again making a run down the line, but good tackling stopped them. Taranaki were given a free kick when Van den Berg held on to the ball, but Collins could not kick a goa.l from a fairly easy position. Turner was responsible for a- fine piece of work. Sullivan had broken away, but his pass was intercepted by Turner who, with a great dodging run, went over for a try and Brand converted with a steady left-foot kick. Neither side had the advantage in the remaining play. The teams were:

Springboks: Bland; Williams, Beater, Babrow, Turner; Harris, Craven; M. Loiuv, Bastard, Strachan, Van den Berg, Van Reenan, Nel, Lntz, Martin. Taranaki: Collins; Wl'tton, Sullivan, Hunter; Smith, Brown; Arnold; McClennghen, Richards, Clarke, Coull, O’Dowda, Murphy, Fowler, Fastier. The attendance was over 20,000, and the gate receipts £2300.

CAPTAINS’ COMMENTS. “It was certainly the hardest game of the tour,” 6aid Craven after the match. “The play of the Taranaki forwards was astonishing, and the South Africans did not expect such fierce opposition.” The captain, P. Nel, said it was a good hard game, fought in the best of spirit. Sullivan, the Taranaki captain, said that it was one of the cleanest big games he had played in. He doubted if the Springboks on their form so far displayed would be able to beat the All Blacks. 8