LEAGUE TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 189, 11 August 1924, Page 9

LEAGUE TEST.

I . — _. WIN FOR ENGLAND. VISITING BACKS BRILLIANT. 31 POINTS TO 18. FIVE GOALS BY SULLIVAN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.l DUNEDIN, Saturday. The third League football test match between Xew Zealand and the Englishmen was played at Tahuna Park to-day. The attendance was estimated at 12.000. The game resulted in a win for the Knglish team by 31 points to 18. Now Zealand kicked ofT against a slight breeze and immediately set up a passing rush, Delgrosso being prominent. Sullivan returned play to halfway. The blacks were penalised, Sullivan having a shot at goal from just on halfway. The kick went wide, although it was a splendid attempt. Parkin set up a brilliant passing- bout, but Carr was brought down by Brisbane. Gallagher (who started a brilliant movement) passed to Parkin, who transferred to Hurcombe. The last-named scored a bright try under the posts. Sullivan converted. : England 5, New Zealand 0. From the kick-off Sullivan kicked to Dufty. who mulled. Burgess and Pryce followed up quickly and smothered him. Callaglier picking up in the loose sent to Howley. and the latter crossed. Sulli- ' van converted. England 10, New Zea- ! land 0. i Play remained in midfield momenI tarily. (The Xew Zealand team gained ! some ground with a free kick. A brilliant run by Dufty, the Xew Zealand fullback, electrified the crowd. On top of this pandemonium broke loose because Poison passed to Brisbane, who cut through and sent a pass (a bad one) to Stewart. Delgrosso backed up splendidly, however, and scored. Dufty failed far out. England 10, New Zealand 3. Carr, giving a dummy, badly fooled the opposition and raced from one end of the field to the other, but he was grassed by Delgrosso. Play was transferred upheld, but did not remain there long, as Sullivan put in a great run tha had New Zealand in difficulties again. Herring retrieved the situation, but Howley picked up and ran down the field." passing to Brough, who hurdled the fullback and scored. Sullivan's kick again found the mark. England 15, Xew Zealand 3. Hurcombe looked like scoring after be had beaten several opponents. The pass wont awry. A moment later Carr, with a reverse pass, badly beat the opposition. From the return he pushed across. Sullivan's kick added the extra points. England 20, Xew Zealand 3. The spell ended without further score. At the opening of the second spell Phycc dashed over after a splendid piece of passing by Hurcombe and | Parkin, the Xew Zealand inside backs being caught napping. Sullivan goaled. England 25, Xew Zealand 3. New Zealanders Wake Up. Dufty made another slendid attempt to kick a goal from halfway. The black forwards assumed the offensive, and after a dribbling rush Brisbane in-passed to Mouatt. The latter transferred to Herring, who scored wide out. Duffy's kick was a magnificent one. and it added the extra points. England 25, Xew Zealand 8. Fitzgerald and Stewart outpaced and outmanoeuved their opponents. Poison mulled. ' O'Brien then picked Slip and passed to Brisbane, who scored. Dufty converted. This was easily the most sensational episode in a match remarkable for tense moments. England 25, New Zealand 13. This was not the end of Xew Zealand's aggression. Stewart, the brilliant Canterbury winjrer, passed to Fitzgerald, the latter transferring to Poison. The New Zealand forwards swept down, and O'Brien scored from the ruck. Dufty again goaled. England 25, Xew Zealand 18. The pace did not slacken, and England rushed play into New Zealand ground. Dufty was "caught, and his weak attempt to clear was charged down, Brough scoring an easy try. Sullivan missed. England 2S. New Zealand 18. Parkin broke away from a scrum and passed to Evans, who outran the opposition and got home without hindrance. England 31, New Zealand 18. Unsuccessful Shots at Goal. Rix took his pass in front after getting away nicely. Dufty failed to put the" ball'over. 'The same player had another shot from the same spot a moment later, hut the kick against the sun went wide. The Englishmen were immediately into their stride, play going past halfway. The blacks hooked the ball from the scrum, and Sullivan transferred with a good kick, but Dufty returned, and in the last three minutes of the game Xew Zealand was pressing, a score"" near the corner looking likely when the whistle went. The game ended: England ">* Xew Zealand 18 Mr. J. J. Stevens, of Christchurch, was the referee. COMMENTS ON THE GAME. (By Telegraph. —Special to "Star.") DUNEDIN, Saturday. The third test was played at Tahuna Park, in delightful weather and before a crowd. The large grandstand was packed. Tahuna Park has been the •scene of many historic encounters. It is known as the ideal wet-weather ground, and is used - „ the Rugby Union for important fixtu.es when conditions are unsuitable on its own ground. The "ame was a most brilliant one, play see-sawing up and down the field. The English backs early -showed superiority, the worK of Parkin, which was ably seconded by Gallagher, the burly break-away forward, being particularly brilliant. "He opened up play time after time. The chief weakness in the Xew Zealand backs was the inside five-eighths, who failed to connect up with Stewart, the three-quarter line being starved in consequence of his fumbling. Dufty, at full-back, thrilled the crowd with his kicking, which saved the Xew Zealanders frequently. Delgrosso was always prominent. The Tew Zealand forwards held their own, O'Brien and McDonald showing up at all times. Interviewed after tha match the New Zpaland captain stated tha; the match was played in a very sportsmanlike manner, and he had no complaint-s to make whatever. The referee also stated there was not the slightest suggestion of any foul play. Dufty played a great game for New Zealand. The attendance was estimated at 12.000.