N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1927, Page 8

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

f. • England Wins Third Test. THE FINAL GAME. LONDON, January 16. In the third Rugby League Test inatch at Leeds yesterday the English team defeated the New Zealand touring team by 32 points to 17. The game was played in wet weather, before 8000 spectators. England vigorously attacked, but the visitors countered and rushed down the field, Cole dropping the ball when on the point of scoring. Bacon. sprinted brilliantly and re-established play in the ■visitors' half, but the latter carried play down field again. Brown was then pulled down when within a yard of the line. Dufty opened the scoring with a magnificent penalty goal after 15 minutes' play. England pressed hotly and Rees and Carr scored tries, one of which Sullivan converted. . The visitors' forwards were playing well in the loose and were most difficult to check. Kirwan got away brilliantly and England was fortunate in being able to find touch. After this there was very keen scrummaging near the English line. After playing for 35 minutes England relieved the pressure and broke away. Bacon scored a try and Evans then gained another, which Sullivan converted. At half-time the score was:— England 16 [ New Zealand 2 After resuming play England attacked Btrongly. Bowman and Bacon speedily secured tries, Sullivan converting one. The visitors rallied brilliantly and put tip a remarkable fight. Within 10 minutes of time Delgrosso, Herring and Brown scored tries, which Dufty converted. Delgrosso then had an ankle injured and was carried off the field. The visitors did not recover from the mishap, which enabled England to resume their superiority. Carr secured two tries in the closing ■tages.

Delgrosso was unfortunately injured just when the visitors were showing a glimpse of real form and wero temporarily smothering England. During the remainder of the game they were outclassed by the superior Speed of the English forwards and their ability in the pack, in which department of the game the visitors are still weak. The New Zealand players obtained the ball 23 times, compared with 40 times by England. Dufty, Brown, Saunders and Hall were the most prominent players in the visiting team. Both teams sang "Auld Lang Syne" at the conclusion of the match.