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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 11 June 15, 1938

Inter-Island Rugby

Inter-Island Rugby

Considering the adverse weather conditions (rain falling steadily and continuously a few minutes after the start well into the second hair), the North v. South match was on entertaining spectacle. This, the principal domestic mulch of the season, is usualLy a high-flooring affair, weak tackling being the usual reason; but though a cricket score seemed probable after the first 20 minutes of play on Saturday, a tightening up of defence and a greasy ball kept the score in check thereafter.

South were undoubtedly the superior team all round: They defended better and were more thrustful ane entrprising on attack. Controling the scrums, their fast, heavy Forwards wore equally effective in the loose. In the forward passing rushes, too, the handling of those big men was remarkably sure. They also resorted to frequent dribbling rushes with marked success.

Perhaps the solid "Brushy" Mitchell, the incisive Berghan and the agile Taylor were the best South backs, but they were all good.

South had is points up in the first 17 minutes and led by 20 to 3 at half-time. Much interest was taken in the play of Ron. Masters, two years ago fullback for Old Boys and a Senior B cricketer for V.U.C. Not so fast and spectacular as Taylor, he nevertheless did not suffer so much by comparison with the Dunedin man; his catching of the slippery ball was splendid throughout, much of bis kicking, both left and right-Fooled, was good, and he showed courage in going down on the ball in the face of strong forward rushes. But he marred an otherwise very fair display by several costly mis takes in judgment, especially in the first half and by intermittent inability to find the line.

Russell, the North half, went off at halt- time Crossman moving in. Russell bad not been impressive but the fast breaking forwards (allowed rather 100 much latitude by the referee) had been harassing him. Phillips made several good dashes down the line for North.

If rather more even in the second spell, the game was yet South's from start to finish. It was a subdued crowd after half-time, for though the Northeners were by then adapting themselves to conditions in which their opponents seemed to revel, they could neither score nor gain a territorial advantage. North's points came from a penalty-goal. South's from six tries and a penalty.

But it was an enjoyable game, even to the seven or eight thousand dripping and steaming spectators on the Western bank.

L.B.S.