ENGLISH LEAGUERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 18

ENGLISH LEAGUERS.

EXHIBITION GAME. QUIET DAY ON SOUTHLAND FRONT. NEW ZEALAND WINS, 27—26. PARKIN MAKES DOMINION DEBUT. INVERCARGILL, Wednesday. After a fast, open exhibition of the League code New Zealand beat England to-day by 27 points to 26. The weather was ideal and the ground was in capital order. There was a large attendance. J. Parkin, the English captain, made his first appearance after being incapacitated for two months, and was responsible for a fine exhibition of half-back play. The visiting rearguard handled the ball more accurately than their opponents, and would have scored more tries had infringements been less frequent. On the other hand New Zealand's score would have been greater had Dufty turned to better account the opportunities that came his way. New Zealand won the toss, and the visitors played facing a bright sun. A long kick placcd New Zealand on the attack, and passing among the backs ended in Goodall struggling across the line. Duftv's kick hit the post. An excellent offensive by the Englishmen had the crowd on its toes. Play was carried right to New Zealand's line and a score seemed imminent whea the attack broke down, New Zealand clearing. A bright movement was started by Parkin, who raced up the right wing and went well through the defence before passing to Ellaby, who touched down in the corner. Gowers' kick just fell short. Wetherill Shines. New Zealand had the Englishmen penned in their twenty-five for a time, the defenders making several attempts to ease the pressure by bright passing movements, which were effectively blocked. From one of these the ball was intercepted, and from a passing bout Wetherill _ raced across and touched down behind the posts. Dufty again failed to convert. England attacked strongly and had worked into a great scoring position when a forward pass spoiled the opportunity. Sloman made a brilliant opening for the visitors and tossed out a long pass to his threequarters, the ball going to Ellaby, who touched down in a favourable position for Gowers to convert.

England was getting the ball from the scrums and throwing it about in great style, clever passing delighting the crowd. From a scrum in New Zealand's area the ball went out to Frodsham, whose in-pass was taken by Sloman. The latter swerved through clevcrly to score near the posts. Gowers converted. The New Zealand forwards took play to the other end, and after a scramble on the line O'Brien shot across. Delgrosso's kick went outside the posts.

Dufty Pots Goat. A great kick by Dufty again placed New Zealand on the attack. Wetherill gained possession and beat several men to go within inches of scoring. An infringement spoiled the effort, and from the resultant scrum the Englishmen cleared to midfield. The ball was punted back to Dufty, who drop kicked a fine goal from 40 yards out. Halftime sounded with the* scora:— England 13 New Zealand 11 The second spell opened in New Zealand's favour. A high kick by Ellaby transferred play to lialf-way, but New Zealand returned to the attack and swarmed across the line, a score resulting wide out. Delgrosso failed to convert. New Zealand were penalised when defending and a great kick by Gowers narrowly missed the objective. Spectacular plav by the visiting backs gained considerable ground, a scrum being ordered after the defence was well beaten. New Zealand heeled and clever play by Wetherill removed play to England's side of half-way. A great opening was made by Frodsham, and crisp passing saw the ball shot out to Ellaby, who was off for a try when he was pulled up for an infringment. Not long afterwards Williams scored, Gowers converting. New Zealand Again Leads. New Zealand had the visitors stronglv defending, but was unable to drive home the attack. A free kick to New Zealand in front of the goal gave Dufty a chance, but the ball just fell short. Wild passing by the visitors let the New Zealand forwards through, Eckhoff scoring in a handy position. Dufty converted, making the scores: New Zealand 19, England 18. Five minutes later a lightMßg attack was made by New Zealand, Brisbane capping a great movement with a try near the posts. Dufty oo«verted. Ingland followed this reverse by rushing play to the corner, where Frodsham scored. Gowers made a great effort to add the extra points, but the ball dropped beneath the crossbar. With play in the New Zealand twenty-fiv> the visitors commenced throwing t'fe ball about in exhilarating fashion, tlx best movement of the day culminating in Oliver scoring between the posts Gowers converted. New Zealand set up a whirlwind attack and carried play to their opponents' line, where the defenders were penalised. Wetherill kicked across to the corner, and Scott, gatherup the ball in great style, scored the winning try. Dufty failed to convert, and the game ended:—

New Zealand 27 England 26