The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 19

SPORTS NEWS 1 19 The Qua rd tan Monday December 16 1996 Emerging Wales 26 South Africa A 42 Another Joubert another triumph Wales 20, South Africa 37 Bokshide singed as the Welsh cdf ch If Robert Armstrong sees the world's top scrum-half tip balance with Cardiff hat-trick charged down Arwel Thom HHiH Jsbbbb BBBStiBIKi bbbbbbbH jjjflH B-Sb 'NjaaBaBaBaBaaBaBH David Plummor at Swansea AS a dress rehearsal for yesterday's main event, this was an embarrassingly one-sided contest made more even by a referee who penalised South Africa A constantly. The Englishman Doug Chapman awarded 31 penalties against the visitors and gave them just seven in reply. Only that, coupled with the tendency of the tourists to drop passes within five yards of the Wales line, stopped the sparse Saturday crowd at St Helen's from witnessing a rout. Virtually all the enterprise was shown by South. Africa whose centre, Joos Joubert, was the fulcrum of their attacking creativity.

A cousin of the Springbok full-back Andre, this Joubert was strong enough to ride the first tackle every time and keep the ball alive. Had it not been for the pedantic referee's tendency to penalise the side on the offensive, even more would have been seen of Joubert. The essential difference between the sides was the way South Africa's support players had to be counted on the fingers of both hands; one digit sufficed for Wales. While the tourists could keep moves flowing, Wales had to resort to the ground and a ruck. They did come back from 23-6 down to draw level in the third quarter, their two tries coming after quickly taken penalties, but there was only going to be one winner.

Wales like to talk about structures and organised seasons but they should look at players such as the prop Ollie le Roux, a barrel with acceleration and anticipation, Ras-sie Erasmus, a No. 8 with an outside-halfs sidestep, and the marvellously aware Joubert, individuals encouraged to express themselves. Proac-tion, not reaction. SCORERSi msrgina Walsai Trlasi Evans, Wyatt Convsrsiansi Connor 2. PsnaHlsst Connor 4.

South Ai Trlssi Du Toll, Scholtz, Mysr, Swanepoel, GooBen. Convorslonsi Koen 4. Psnartlsai Koon 2. Drop eoali Koen. BMERQINQ WALES: Back (Swansea); Bvana, Boobysr (both Llanolll), Lawls (Pontypridd), Walksr (Cardiff); Connor (Newport), A Moors (Richmond, capt); A Lawls (Cardllf: Eynon, Pontypridd.

48mln). William. (Neath), John (Llanelli), A Rasa (Brlve), Arnold (Swansea), Wsbstsr (Swansea; Jonas, Cardllf, 12). Wimama (Pontypridd), Wyatt (Llanelli). SOUTH AFRICA Al du Toll (N Transvaal): Hsndrlobs (Boland), Lubba (Grlqualand West), Joobsrt (Natal; at Moolman, Province, 66), Ooossn (Boland); Kosn (W Province), Scholtz (W Province; Swanapoal, Free State, 62); la Roux (Natal, Kampeon Natal, 40), Orotska (Free Stato, capl), Mysr (E Province).

Oppsrman (Free State), Da (Free State: Louw. Province, 50). Krlga (W Province), Smlt (Grlqualand West), Erasmua (Free Stato). Rsfaraei Chapman (RFU). Open invitation the Springbok full-back Andre Joubert dives over unopposed with James Small at his shoulder Howley looks a Lion in tooth and claw Frank Keating marvels at the other class act in a No.

9 shirt jflQUTH AFRICA might currently be rated only second-best side BF behind New Zealand but they turned in a perfor mance worthy of world champions in outscoring never-say- die Wales by five tries to one in an enthralling match. Joost van der Westhuizen underlined his status as the best scrum-half in Test rugby with a hat-trick of tries that ensured there would be no Welsh comeback in the final half-hour. The movement, colour and spirit of enterprise demon strated by both sides made for an invigorating contrast with England's leaden-footed perfor mance at Twickenham 24 hours earlier. Indeed, it was like examining a necklace of guttering gems that offered fresh facets wherever one chose to focus: individual cameos of extraordinary skill from Honiball, Small, Joubert, How-ley and Bateman flashed by in rapid succession. None of Van der Westhui-zen's mesmerising scores, however, would have been possible without the fearsome pace and power of the Springbok forwards, whose work in broken play created innumerable opportunities.

Kruger, Dal-ton, Andrews and the captain Teichmann behaved like men at the start of a tour rather than battle-weary professionals who have now forged six successive Test victories in four months, including a series win in France. It was easy to believe Van der Westhuizen when he said: "It's lovely to be back at the Arms Park and to score three tries here. The Welsh are a very good side, especially in counter-attack. They played good rugby, performed well up front and they should be a force in the Five Nations Championship." As their captain Jonathan Humphreys said, Wales got better and faster the longer the game lasted, often threatening the Springboks on their own line, but the world champions' ability to keep moving up a gear meant Welsh pressure tended to come to nothing. "The pride and the passion were there," Humphreys insisted.

"We mobilised the line-outs and experimented a lot more we took a big step forward today." The Springboks built a comfortable 16-6 lead within 25 minutes, which swiftly put Wales on the horns of a dilemma: should they kick their short-range penalties or tap and run in the hope of a converted try? Humphreys took the safer option, handing the ball to Jenkins, who obliged in the first half with four penalty goals. South Africa's fly-half Honiball landed an early penalty goal for offside, which was rapidly followed by Van der Westhuizen's opening try. From the moment Kruger Basketball the game in Joost van der Westhuizen, Howley faced his sternest challenge so far but came through with flying colours. If the resplendent Springbok scrum-half provided a defining tour deforce in the visceral arts and sciences of the position and time and again spirits soared to the memory of the onliest Gareth on the same famous field in no way was the gallant and inventive Howley outplayed. The South Africans' coach Andre Markgraaff acknowledged as much: "Joost's greatness is a factor in any Test he plays.

PHOTOGRAPHS: BARRY BATCHELOR The new Welsh back row had much more red meat about it, giving and taking some mighty knocks and in both cases seeming to enjoy it for the cause. There was a burning fire in the Welsh bellies and, although well beaten, the stadium rose to it time and again. The difference between Sunday in Cardiff and Saturday at Twickenham was palpable. Or is it that the haughty English expect too much and the also-rans of Wales actually expect so little? For once the Welsh captain Jonathan Humphreys had good reason for a smile as he scavenged for satisfactory points to make. "We were 10 times as good as against Australia a fortnight ago.

We were just as committed in theory then, of course, but look how much more speed and strength we had We gave as good as we got and were always in the debate. "Scotland, watch out for us next month." waiflike against such mighty bullocks in green, the sprite Thomas on balance managed more daring things than he made totally scatty howlers. "We want to play our rugby on the very edge," the Wales coach Kevin Bowring said. "And Arwel does he keeps us on the edge." He certainly does. Thomas was a late replacement at fly-half for the flu-struck Jonathan Davies Davies replaced by Arwel Thomas," ran the official WRU note).

With the longtime steady-as-she-goes incumbent Neil Jenkins play as's kick just inside his own half Wales were in serious danger: the Springbok flanker sprinted to within metres of the Welsh line and from a subsequent scrum Van der Westhuizen picked up and plunged over in the right corner. Honiball and Jenkins exchanged medium-range penal ty goals before Joubert made a scorching run down the left support of Honiball, whose neatly timed pass enabled the South African full-back to cruise home. Jenkins reduced the lead to 16-9 with his third penalty goal but Van der Westhuizen proved to be in irrepressible mood, scoring a fine solo try on the left after a bamboozling, mazy run. On the stroke of half-time Jenkins again reduced the South African lead with a short-range penalty but the second period had barely begun when Van der Westhuizen again showed his predatory instincts, tearing the ball out of a maul in front of the Welsh posts and crashing over to complete his hat-trick. Jenkins's fifth penalty goal barely interrupted the Springboks' progress which saw the left-wing Olivier bustle over for a fifth try in the right corner.

In the final quarter Wales's aim was to keep the scoreline respectable, which meant defending in depth with courage and organisation as the Springboks launched wave after wave of attacks, driving through the middle or spinning the ball wide with flicked passes. Such was Wales's furious commitment to stay in contention that they came close to breaching the Springbok line when Howley kicked ahead and Jenkins hacked on, only to see the move fizzle out in an unproductive scrum. Twelve minutes from time the flanker Nathan Thomas became the first player to win a Welsh cap while registered with Bath when he came on as substitute for Mcintosh, who had a knee injury. With three minutes left, Arwel Thomas scored a magnificent consolation try at the left flag, taking off in an elegant swallow dive after Howley fired the ball out from the base of a scrum. It was the least Wales deserved for their brave and unrelenting effort.

SCORERSi Wttoii Tryi A Thomas. Penaltlaai Jenkins 5. South Afrloai Trlssi Van der Westhuizen 3. Joubert. Olivier.

Convaralonai Honiball 3. Psnalttasi Honiball 2. WALKS! Jenkins (Pontypridd); I Ivan (Llanelli), 8 Olbba (Swansea), A Bateman (Richmond), Jamas (Bridgend): A Thomas (Swansea), Howley (Cardiff); Loader (Swansea), Humphreys (Cardiff, capt), Young (Cardiff), (tenth Uewsttyn (Harlequins), Rowley (Pontypridd), Mcintosh (Pontvorldd: Thomas. Bath. 68mln).

Williams (Neath), Chanrls (Swansea). SOUTH AFRICAl A Joubert) Small, Ls Hou, Mulder, Oltvleri Honiball, Van der Weathuizeni A Oarvsy, Dalton, Theron, Wlsse, Andrews, A Venter, Krugsr, Telchman (capt). Reforest Lander (RFU). unseated the Leicester Riders 91-83, the Thames Valley Tigers upset the Manchester Giants 85-82 and the Derby Storm blasted the Newcastle Eagles 90-79 with a 21-5 burst either side of the third interval. Steve Glothin, a 6ft 9in centre who has played on four continents, led the Derby scoring with 21 points.

David Attewell, a Great Britain student guard who signed on Friday, contributed 13 points on his debut. Leicester missed their suspended coach Bob Donewald and their guards Gene Wal-dron, who is recovering from arthroscopic surgery, and Mo Ballard, who returned to Louisville on Saturday to attend his cousin's funeral. Worthing lost their leading scorer James Hamilton when he fouled out seven minutes from the end but Anthony Thomas came good with 32 The Tigers have looked soft in the middle this season but they stiffened their sinews on Saturday, led by their big men Tony Holley (26 points) and James. Williams (22). Manchester scored only two points in the last 2' minutes but still led 82-79 with 65 seconds lefW before Waymon Boone punished them with six successive free throws.

IN TRUTH the thunderously dynamic South Africans might have posted well over the half-century but the spirit and spunk displayed by Wales, and even at times their traditional native panache, provided serious hopes for a rousingly genuine challenge in the Five Nations tournament. They always say that in Wales but yesterday there was some evidence for it. Certainly Wales's sprightly and wholehearted defiance in the face of the world champions yesterday was decorated with colourful rainbow streamers in comparison to the wood-enly laboured, limp and dull trauma of England at Twickenham the day before. Unlike the London crowd; the Cardiff throng was encouraged to get behind their team at every opportunity and, when Arwel Thomas beguilingly nipped over for Wales' solitary try in the dying minutes, the acclaim might have been heard in Swansea. Pale, girl-slight, almost Snooker Good-bye battery ing a grand match at fullback a position he says he does not fancy the debate about the talismanic No.

10 shirt will now continue to run to the combined fury and delectation of every tap-room in the Principality. Phil Bennett, for one great old-timer, thinks they should reinstate Jenkins and be done with any fancy stuff. But it was inside Thomas that Wales could savour the day's copper-bottomed class act in the shape of their scrum-half Robert Howley, a glistening find. Up against the very best in caps a fine display with a try final since Bob Chaperon won the 1990 British Open, had eliminated Scotland's world No. 2 John Higgins 6-4 in the semi-finals and made a good fist of the final.

Trailing 4-2, he produced a total clearance of 145, the highest break ever made overseas in a ranking event. O'Sullivan, 5-3 up at the interval, stretched his lead to 7-3 early in the evening but Robidoux creditably stuck to O'Sullivan scoops the army pool Sheffield Sharks reeled in by Hooks and Towers Howley might be good, very good, perhaps the best in Europe, but we have Joost and let the British Lions remember that next year." Markgraaff hint of a smile became noticeably broader when he recounted that many of the Springboks on Saturday night had watched the recordings of both the matches played by Scotland and England. "The Argentinians were great," he said, "so I found it hard to see what England have got to offer for the rest of their season." He added mischievously: "I did not lie awake last night worrying about the mighty strength of England." Yesterday South Africa time and again looked as if they were about to pop open the stopper and let out their myrtle-green genies all over the shop. Each time Wales courageously bottled them up again. his method and his self-belief.

He had levelled at 7-7 before O'Sullivan took the 15th from 34-34 and finished with a break of 108 to clinch the 40,000 first prize. Robidoux won 22,500 as runner-up plus 5,000 for the highest break. On December 22 he defends the world trick-shots title he won in Sun City, this time in the earthier surroundings of the Goresbrook Leisure Centre at Dagenham. In the First Division, Don-caster took advantage of another Beeston postponement to head the table for the first time ever with a 6-2 win over their Yorkshire rivals, Hull. Doncaster's Liverpudlian Robin Benford dominated the match, scoring the first four goals in open The Netherlands, making light of the retirements of key players since their Olympic success, won the Champions Trophy for the first time in 14 years with a 3-2 win over Pakistan in the final.

They were 3-0 up in 20 minutes. Cllve Everton THERE have been no half-measures for Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first four of the season's 10 world-ranking events. He won the Asian Classic but fell at the second fence in the Grand Prix at Bournemouth and the first in the UK Championship at Preston. Last night he won the German Open, beating the Hockey Arwel does well Thomas Canadian No. 1 Alain Robi-doux 9-7 at the British military base at Osnabruck.

The 21-year-old O'Sullivan, probably the greatest threat to Stephen Hendry seeing out the decade as world No. 1, had beaten the Scot 5-2 in the quarter-finals, then made breaks of 102, 121 and 142 as he swamped the world No. 5 Nigel Bond 6-1. Robidoux, the first Canadian to reach a world-ranking One of Crutchley's goals was particularly impressive as Ben Sharpe crossed and the striker trapped the ball dead and hammered it home in the next instant. Guildford scored the first and last goals, Rob Bilsland and Ian Jennings putting away corners while Simon Organ added Cannock's fourth goal.

Southgate, whose match with Teddington was postponed for the second time, wll have the chance to close to within a point of Cannock in the New Year. Robert Pryco THE Budweiser League, already fizzing nicely, received another shake-up over the weekend. All four games counted as upsets of a kind, culminating at Wembley Arena last night in the defeat of the league-leading Sheffield Sharks. The London Towers have not yet relinquished their league title. Last night they came back from 12 points down to beat the Sharks 63-62.

The Towers trailed 51-39 in the third quarter but got back into the game with a 14-0 burst. After Tony Windless gaye them back the lead 11 seconds from time with a banked baseline shot, Sheffield's last chance disappeared when Dcon Haines was controversially called for travelling with two seconds left. Joe Hooks, a raw young American power forward who is threatening to develop into a more consistent threat, led the Towers with 15 points. Roger Huggins, Sheffield's England power forward, responded with 17, including all the Sharks' last nine. In the weekend's other games the Worthing Bears Seventh Crutchley hat-trick keeps Cannock in the clear Welcome to the future: Seiko Kinetic, the first quartz watch that turns your movement into power.

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20 bar water resistant. One-way rotating bezel -shaft screw lock crown, Sejko Kinetic it's built to last. Someday ail watches will be made this way. They dropped to third after East Grinstead beat Houns-low 2-1. Richard Gibson, a late call-up to the England squad, wasted an early penalty for Grinstead but scored both their goals, including the winner two minutes from time.

At the other end of the table, Surbiton, with two goals from Gareth Notion, enhanced their chances of avoiding relegation by winning 3-2 at Havant, a result which leaves the 1994 champions ten points adrift of Surbiton and Hounslow. Pat Rowley YET ANOTHER hat-trick by Bob Crutchley, his seventh of the season, saw Cannock go four points clear at the top of the National League yesterday as Guildford, unable to hold them two weeks running, went down 4-2 at Cannock. It took outstanding goal-keeping by Guildford's Kevin Priday, to deny Crutchley who is recalled for England training at Lilleshall this week, even more goals. Seiko Kinetic at: http:www.selkc-corp.co.jp.