N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 271, 15 November 1926, Page 7

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

* THE ASHES LOST. SECOND TEST MATCH. VICTOR'S , FOR ENGLISHMEN. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) LONDON, November 14. The second Rugby League Test match, England v. New Zealand, was played at Hull yesterday. England won by 21 points to 11. The visitors' team comprised: Gregory, Dufty. Kirwan, Davidson, Brown, Brisbane, Delgrosso, Henry, Devine, Herring, Peterson, Singe and Avery. Everything seemed to combine to spoil the match. The visitors' dissensions,, especially a report that a number of players had contemplated returning home, coupled with their moderate play in previous matches, had diminished the public interest in the team. Finally, heavy rain further retarded the gate money. Only SOOO spectators were present. New Zealand scored in the first few minutes, Brown making a good run and passing to Peterson, who got across. No goal resulted. Loose play followed, after which fine passing by Rix, Gallagher and Wallace ended in Wallace scoring a try which was not converted. Sullivan kicked a penalty goal. Then Dufty missed one. An inside pass from Rix to Filde saw the forward score. A piece of smart work between Bowman, Burgess, Wallace and Thomes ended in the lastnamed crossing the line. Sullivan converted. At half-time the scores were:— England 13 New Zealand 3 WEATHER IMPROVES. The rain ceased and the sun shone when the visitors' turn came to have the wind at their b&cfcs. They quickly attacked. Singe broke through and passed to Avery, wio scored in a good position, but Dufty's kick -went wide. The New Zealanders then fought hard, using their feet well. An unfair tackle when the man was not in possession of the ball enabled Gregory to kick a good penalty goal. The visitors continued to try hard. Avery picked up from tae loose and made a fine run. He passed far out to his winger, who was fast enough to score at the corner. Dufty's kick just missed.

The New Zealanders were now only two points behind. The ball went over the line and Thomas reached it first, but the try was not converted. The chances of the New Zealanders faded when W. Fairclough ran over for a good try, Sullivan kicking a fine goal. Nevertheless, the visitors gave a far better display than in the first Test match, particularly the forwards, who used their feet well. Some of the dribbling was exceedingly good. PLATERS UNDER REVIEW. Singe and Avery were the most prominent of the New Zealanders. The latter had a stroke of bad luck in losing the toss and having to face a gale of wind and rain in the first spell. They also missed Davidson, who went off with an injured ankle, Cole replacing him. The visitors suffered by comparison benind the scrummage. Brown was the fastest three-quarter, but Kirwan and Dufty did well. Gregory was safe at fullback. The visitors' tackling was safe, and with a little more speed they might have won. The English forwards played well, particularly Gallagher, Bowman and Thomas, while Parkin and Fairclouga performed well at halfback. Wallace and Evans made fine wings. Carr was somewhat below form, consequently Rix had few chances. Sullivan was the soundest fullback.