N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 289, 6 December 1926, Page 7

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

TOURISTS DECISIVELY DEFEATED. WALES TEAM TOO GOOD. LONDON, December 5. The New Zealand Rugby League team was defeated by Wales yesterday at Pontypridd by 34 points (eight tries and five goals) to 8 (two tries and one goal). There were 10,000 spectators. The teams were:.—New Zealand: Gregory Brown, Davidson, Kirwan, Parkes, Brisbane, Delgrosso, Avery, Devine, Mason, Carroll, Wright and Thomas. Wales: Sullivan (Wigan), Evans (Swinton), Lewis (St. Helens), Hurcombe (Halifax), Rhodes (Pontypridd), Caswell Hull), Rees (Swinton), Green (Pontypridd), Oliver (Pontypridd), Hodder (Wigan), Stephens (Wigan), Davis (Pontypridd) and Gore (Salford). Mr. Fairhurst, of Wigan, was referee. The Welsh team entered the field to the strains of "Men of Harlech," the Welsh national song. The New Zealanders followed and gave their war cry. Wales started brilliantly, Evans, Lewis and Caswell combining finely crossed the New Zealand line, but were recalled, owing to an infringement. The Welshmen continued to press the visitors I sorely. Avery punted magnificently and relieved the pressure, but Sullivan returned well, enabling Evans, Lewis and Hurcombe to combine in a fine passing run. Evans breaking in and taking a back pass tricked Delgrosso and scored. Sullivan failed to convert the try. Wales continued to press, and the New Ze.alanders rarely passed the halfway line, until, after a series of scrums, Davidson broke away and gave a perfectly judged pass to Delgrosso, who scored between the posts, and himself converted. Th£ Welshmen attacked again, and Sullivan, fielding the ball beautifully, dropped a fine goal. From the kick-off, owing to fumbling by the visitors, Gore intercepted and. scored, Sullivan converting. The Welsh forwards were the better in the scrums, and gave their backs every opportunity, resulting in many fine rounds of passing. Gore again broke through the New Zealand defence and passed to Evans, who scored a try. Delgrosso and Brisbane played wonderfully well behind a beaten pack, and defeated many attacks, but the Welsh three-quarters were too smart. Lewis was prominent in a fine run, but failed to score. At half-time the scores were: Wales 13 New Zealand 5 The visitors were penalised immediately after the interval, enabling Sullivan to kick an excellent goal. The Welshmen continued to have their own way, Gore scoring. A moment later Evans again scored, following a splendid passing round, begun by Caswell. The New Zealanders made desperate efforts, the forwards passing well, and from a fast run Thomas went through and scorefl a try, which was not converted. Wales reasserted their supremacy, Hurcombe scoring, and shortly afterwards Rees broke away and sent Caswell in for a try, both being converted. Sullivan made another brilliant effort and scored in the last minute. PROPAGANDA IN WALES. LONDON, December 5. Welsh Rugby Union clubs are likely to turn professional and form a Welsh League, affiliated with the Northern Union. This will be inaugurated in the autumn, according to the "Daily News." Although names are not yet disclosed, grounds are already engaged. The New Zealand League team's "international" match against Wales tomorrow is expected to greatly assist the Northern Union's propaganda for the development of the League. The Rugby League's "hush-hush" policy regarding views expressed in official Australian and New Zealand letters concerning the two years' qualification rule is distinctly regrettable. Whatever the Dominions think, the League clubs here will press for a removal of the ban. Wigan has already called a general meeting" of clubs to consider the matter. (Sydney "Sun.") The following is the record of the New Zealand League team to-date: v. Dews bury, won 13 to 9; v. Leigh, won 23 tc Hi-.'v. Halifax, lost 13 to 19; v. Rochdale, won 11 to 9; v. Barrow, won 19 tc 16: v. Widnes, won 15 to 5 : First Test lost 20 to 28; v. York, won 19 to 11: v. Bramley, won 35 to 12; v. Warrington lost 5 to 18; v. Hull, won 15 to 13; v Bradford North, won 38 to 17; v. Old ham, lost 10 to 15; v. Leeds, won 13 tc 11: v. St. Helens R-, kwt 14 to 28; v Salford, won IS to 10; v. Hudderslield lost 10 to 12; Second Test, lost 11 to 21; v. Wigan H., won 14 to 2; v. Batley. losi 17 to 19: v. Keighley, won 21 to 3: v Swinton, lost 14 to 16; v. Wales, Jos' |8 to 34. Matches played 23, won 1 i lost 9, points for 376, against 344.