N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 254, 26 October 1926, Page 9

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

THEIR OPENING GAME.

THE " DEWSBURY HOODOO."

BROKEN BY NEW ZEALANDERS,

(By E. H. MAIR, coach and team

manager)

HARROGATE, September Our opening match of. the tour to-day was against the Dewsbury team on their own ground, Crown Flatt. This side has always had the happy knack oi defeating visiting international sides, and great interest was shown as to whether the "Dewsbury Hoodoo" would continue against the New Zea'landers. To snow the calibre of two of the past visiting sides defeated, it will be remembered that the last team to play Dewsbury were the Australians on December 21, 1921, when the "Aussies" were beaten by 13 points to 6, Dick Vest and Rick. Johnson scoring the only tries. Their team on that occasion included Norman, Horder, .Carstairs, .Vest, Blinkhorn, Johnson, Caples, Pearce, Prentice, Richards, Ryan, Latta, and Burge. It was during this game that Sandy Pearce had the misfortune to break his leg. The first international League football side to play against Dewsbury were the New Zealanders, who pioneered the League game in Australasia under Baskiville. This game eventuated at Dewsbury on Saturday, November 30, J 1907. ' I

The '•Originals." The names of this loyal band will always live in the annals of Rugby League football in Australia and New Zealand, in view of the grave risk they took in paying their own way to foster a now game in their own country by visiting England first. Several members of the New Zealand team against Dewsbury made names in England afterwards when playing for English clubs, as well as in their own country. The New Zealand team in 1907-8 took the field thus: H. S. Turtill, fullback; H. Howe, G. Smith, and H. Messenger, three-quarters; W. Tyler and E. Wrigley, five-eighths; R. Wynyard, half; A. Lile, T. Cross, D. Gilchrist, C. Byrne, C. Pearce, and W. Johnston, forwards. Turtill paid the supreme sacrifice at the front, George Smith and Era Wrigley are still in England, the famous Dally Messenger is still in Sydney, Harold Rowe subsequently left the Dominion and is now residing in the Harbour City, and Charlie Pearce lias been a member of the New Zealand League Council, and one of their selectors and coaches.

Points About Dewsbury. There were over 16,000 spectators at the first match with Dewsbury to-day, and this is remarkable in. view of the present coal strike, which is seriously affecting the gates. The Australians in 1921 drew a £720 gate, whereas the New Zealanders on this occasion (charging 6d less for admission) drew £960. The weather was all that could be desired, and the- spectators proved by their barracking that they appreciate good football by both sides. The ground at Dewsbury has an awkward slope, particularly in one corner, and if a fullback wishes to send his ball the full length of the field, it is not a difficult matter. The Dewsbury thirteen were naturally anxious to keep their undefeated record against touring international sides on their own ground, and played like Trojans from whistle to whistle. They depended—as they always do—on their forwards, and they are fortunate in having the best hooker in the c»unty of Yorkshire. They won the majority of the scrums in the first half, and did even better in the second spell. The All Blacks' forwards were feeling the strain of their first game, and consequently suffered in scrummaging in comparison. Much interest was manifested in Brown and Lyman—the ■only two players that played against the last Australian team —and they are still as good as ever. Dewsbury's backs make a point of standing right up on their opponents, and specialise in the spotting game, the grubber kick, and the short punt overhead. The tourists' skipper (Avery) took the risk of kicking off against a strong wind and sun, and a sloping ground in the first half. Many thought it not a wise move, but the result proved otherwise, the New Zealanders going strong in the second spell.

Things to Learn. There were many things remembered by us in this game—that our half must stand close to the scrum when inserting the ball and see that the ball always went into the scrum in a downward tendency and not rolled; further, that he nrust not dummy when throwing it in. Our second row forwards must put all their weight in the pack and not break away before the ball is clear. Our players must not tackle an opponent after he has got rid of the ball, for the English referees have been instructed to be very strict on this point and give a free kick from where the ball lands. A breach of this description gave Dewsbury their first two points. Our half must retire after inserting the ball, and the forwards must not come round the scrum too quickly. This meant further points to Dewsbiiry in this game. Our backs stood too far back, which is neither good for attack nor defence.

Some Experiments. The selectors experimented with their team in this game. Dufty filled the fullback position and Sanders and Gardiner the wing positions. In pioneering with Gardiner New Zealand fans may express surprise, but the selectors felt that his height, ■ weight, pace and fend would be valuable. Their judgment was vindicated by his display, the only real mistake lie made being whon he crossed the goal line and touched down behind the dead ball line, which is very short at Dewsbury. Cola and Kirwan were the five-eighths, and, although strange (as were the other backs) to the spotting tactics of the opposition, short punting and gnibbering, did their work well. Davidson wae the centre and proved a host in himself, being tho best back on the ground. Wilson-Hall played behind the pack, and played magnificently. He certainly set a seal on the half-back position for the first Test for New Zealand, which takes place at Wigan in three weeks' time.

The Run of the Score 3. Singe, Carroll, Herring, Peterson, Mouat and Avery were the forwards. They were not successful in getting the ball from the scrums, a very important factor, but they rose to the occasion in offsetting the opposition when they had possession. After the usual war cry, led by Gardiner, the match was commenced with a kick by the Mayor of Dewsbury. This duty in the second spell was entrusted to the Mayor of Batley. There was only one score in the first half, Lyman (Dewsbury's

I skipper), goaling from a penalty for one of our players tackling after the ball had left. Early in the second, Sanders, when running to score, should have received a penalty try for obstruction, it being so glaring. However, from the free, Dufty equalised. It was in the next movement that Gardiner crossed the line but was over the dead ball line before he realised it, and a try was thus thrown away. MeLoughliu burst through prettily and sent to Ryan, who scored. Lyman goaling gave the home side the lead again—7-2. Hall worked Davidson cleverly, who swerved in past the home full to score. Dufty goaling again, equalised the scores — 7 all. Another penalty against us, this time for coming round the pack before the ball was clear, afforded Lyman the third time' to give his side the lead— 9 plays 7. Aveiy then scored a fine try after several players had handled it. Dufty failed, making the scores 10 to 9in our favour. The last try of the day was secured by Mouat after it had been handled by Singe and Petersen. Dufty again failed, making the final scores 13 to 9 our "wa"y.

A Good Impression. The referee was strict in some rulings, easy on others, but it was the unanimous opinion of all on the ground that he was impartial. It will certainly be a pleasure to play under him again. The EnglishRugby League are adopting the splendid policy of always providing a Lancashire referee for all Yorkshire matches, and vice versa. A little confusion was caused during the first ten minutes through the referee wearing a black coat, but he smilingly took it oif when requested. He expressed great pleasure after the match that none of our players had "chipped" him during the game. This was commented upon also by hundreds of others. The market place at Dewsbury was packed upon our return to the Man and Saddle Hotel, as it was when departing for the match, and it was pleasing to see and hear their cheering congratulaiions. In the three previous matches against Australia in 1908-9, 1911-12, and 1921-22, the Aussies were beaten by 15 to nil, 13 to 5, and 13 to 6 respectively, by this team.

The teams were entertained at the Town Hall by tne Dewsbury Club and the Mayors of Dewsbury and Batley after the game, at which the usual toasts were proposed and responded to.