LEAGUE TEAM ON TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1927, Page 10

LEAGUE TEAM ON TOUR.

MAORILANDERS IN ENGLAND. POOR GATES PREVALENT. HKSI LT OF COAL STRIKE. (P,y K. H. MAI R.) IIAHKOOATK, England. Nov. 18. When the New Zealanders arrived in England in September last, the cofcl striko here liad been in progress several months. After a month's residence here, harelv one-t-eventh of the total miners previously on strike had gone back. At time of writing the position has considerably improved, and more than onet.Tird of them are now working in the pits. Everything pointed to the strike finishing on Remembrance L)av—November 11 —but yesterday's vote narrowly turned down the proposals to accept the conditions offered. However, the minere are now going back in such numbers on their own accord that ishould their executive not recommend an immediate resumption the strike will finish itself shortly. Unless one is on the spot it is impossible to gauge the position as it really is, and those from Down Under could not be expected to make sufficient allowances for the poor gates, etc., that are prevailing at the present time. The prices of admission, minimum, is 1/6, and scores of thousands have not the wherewithal. Coal is still very dear, and this necessity for English homes at this time of the year has to be done without in thousands of cases. Policemen can only control a certain number of unemployed when they gather together outside the gates, but when they increased to large dimensions it is out of the question to attempt to hold them in check, apart from the damage they would do to the fences, etc., in getting through. As a result, it is necessary to let them in for what they in their pockets at a certain part of the firet half, and the balance free during the second spell. The New Zealand team could not have visited England at a worse time than the present. Moreover, should the strike finish by the end of November the aftermath will be such that it is doubtful whether the lost financial position will he recovered. We are having typical English November weather—wet, cold, and foggy days—which are greatly interfering with everything. In next week's article the whole financial position will be gone into. Nineteenth Game of Tour. The nineteenth game of the tour was at Wigan Highfield yesterday. Ifc was one of the longest * journeys of the tour for club games and, coupled with the further restriction of trains by the coal strike, it was necessary to have breakfast yesterday morning at 6.15. It was naturally a long day by the time we returned to Harrogate at 10.30, after being over 18 out of the 24 hours on the move. A four and a-half hours' journey via Leeds and Manchester brought us at noon to Wigan, which is 77 miles from Harrogate. A civic reception by the Mayor of Wigan at the Town Hall was followed by the usual photograph outside, an| the signing of the visitors' book. Then came a lunch, as the guests of the Wigan Highfield Club, at which the usual toasts were proposed and responded to. Wigan Highfield ground is a few miles outside Wigan, find the Highfield Club is one of the new members of the English League. It was not in existence when the last colonial side of 1921-22 visited these shores. They are a team on the young f side, the back division in particular looking like a schoolboy team. They do not believe in the importation of players at big fees like their other home town side, Wigan, and have many promising youngsters in their side. There is very little grandstand accommodation on their playing area, but the club is in good hands so far as the management is concerned, and a splendid future for this club is assured. It has beaten several of the leading clubs, and -their strong feature is in their forward department. The weather conditions for the game were miserable, rain having fallen all the previous night and morning right up to an hour before starting. When we arrived at-the groud at 2.15— half an hour before the kick-off—there was not a single spectator to b e seen. Fifteen minutes from the kick-off all the spectators could be counted in a few minutes, and £30 takings did not look too promising. However, a quarter of an hour after the kick-off Bramley's figures—£B2, and the worst to date— were nearly reached. Although only £80 was taken at the gates, the English League secretary, Mr. John Wilson, considered it very satisfactory under the prevailing conditions. The ground was a quagmire with a vengeance, but fortunately for the players the rain held off during the progess of the game. It was at times impossible to distinguish Wigan Highfield players from New Zealanders, the players all being black with mud. The main feature of the game was the phenomenal handling of the ball by both teams right through the game. A Link With Auckland. An interested spectator at the game was the Inspector of Police of Wigan, who was in charge of the police protecting the ground. In course of conversation, he mentioned that he and Mr. Melling, the Acting-Town Clerk of Auckland, New Zealand, were both clerks in a railway office twenty years ago. Both of them decided to strike out for themselves at that stage, with the proviso that, after 20 years, each should look the other up and see how they had progressed up the ladder of success. Naturally the inspector was overjoyed at meeting the New Zealanders, and especially to hear that we were personally acquainted with Mr. Melling. He wishes to be kindly remembered to Mr. Melling, and. as the 20 years' promise is up next year, there is every possibility of him taking a trip out to God's Own Country. Should this catch the eye of Mr. Melling, a letter from him to the inspector, who is also writing him by this mail will be appreciated. The referee for this game was Mr. Bob Robinson, who has officiated at three of our games now, including the first Test at Wigan. He is the oldest referee in Yorkshire now, and has been in charge of many international tussles. Gregory hurt his hand in the second Test, and was unable to play, and elbow and ankle injuries were still keeping Wilson Hall and Davidson, out of action. Avery and Herring, having played 14 and 1(5 matches out of 17 i espectively. were given a well-earned pell. W ebb, who was playing his third S aille i was played behind the scrum, and was a success. So much so that

trial in the match against Batlev next Saturday. The New Zealanders fielded: Fullback, C. Dufty; threequarters, J. Sanders, J. Kirwan, W. Desmond, G. Gardiner; five-eighth, H. Brisbane; halfback, S, Webb; forwards, F. Henry, W. Devine, A. Carroll, A. Singe, L. Petersen, and N. Mouat. Details of Play. After the Mayor of Wigan had set the ball in motion Wigan Highfield were given two free kicks in good positions within five minutes, both failing. The referee at this stage changed his guernsey to a white sweater, so that he would bo picked out. It has been unfortunate for the New Zealanders in several matches to have a referee wearing black coats. Dufty then had two unsuccessful shots at goal. In fact the only goal the New Zealanders notched during the afternoon was one by Mouat, late in the game in the second spell. The first score went to New Zealand after 22 minutes' play. The ball came from the base of the scrum to Webb, who sent it to Brisbane, to Kirwan, to Gardiner, and the Aucklander went for the corner. Using his weight to advantage, he pushed his way over at the corner. Dufty missed the kick from the touch line. Just before half-time, Devine and Kirwan were brought down inches from the line. Half-time came with the scores 3 to nil in our favour. JFwenty minutes in the second the Blacks were penalised, and Highfield's fullback. Osbaldstein, whose handling and general display made him stand above his whole team, raised the flags—N.Z. 3 plays 2. An exciting piece of play ensued from the kick off, Mouat being tackled a foot from the line, and Singe diving over the line, but losing the ball in his flight., The Blacks kept up the pressure, Mouat failing from a penalty kick. New. Zealand went ahead again shortly after, Desmond cleverly dribbling through to the left wing to Gardiner. The local fullback came at the big Aucklander, and the ball was lost. There the leather lay on the ground waiting for some one to fall on it. Gardiner woke up first and fell on it. The scorer failed at goal. —New Zealand 6 to 2. The visitors scored within the next ten minutes, Singe kicking through. Desmond was handy, and dribbled the leather past the home fullback, and following on, touched down. Gardiner again failed at goal. New Zealand 9 to 2. The last try of the day went to New Zealand also The ball was kicked to the home full, who made his one mistake of the match He mulled it, and Devine, who had followed up, fielded the ball and passed to Carroll, who touched down behind the posts. Mouat goaled, leaving the final scores 14 to 2 in favour of New Zealand. . We play our 20th game to-morrow at Batley, a team that is led by Frank Gallagher, the English international breakaway. The team is anxious to win a Saturday match, for it is only on Saturdays that the New Zealanders have lost their games. Their unbeaten record for Wednesday matches still holds good. This makes 12 wins out of 19 games played. The team is keen on securing more wins than the first New Zealand side, and despite the fact that all the county matches, another Test, and 7 matches against several of the leading English clubs are to be contested yet, this should be easily managsfl. feThe team should win at Batley next "Saturday, and again at Keighley next Tuesday. Avery will lead the team against Batley, although he would have liked a speh. Mouat is not quite himself yet. A peculiar incident occurred immediately after the kick off. The Mayor of Wigan had kicked off, when the usual scrum took place. However, before he could got off, play had come out to his direction, and he was very lucky to extricate himself from the players, and not go down in the mud. The team to play against Batley will be; Fullback, Dufty; threequarters, Brown, Kirwan, Davidson, Gardiner; halves, Desmond and Webb; forwards, Henry, Carroll, Singe, Petersen, Avery, and Mason.