NARROW VICTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 14

NARROW VICTORY.

; ENGLISHMEN AT SYDNEY. S COMBINED CLUBS BEATEN. FIFTEEN TO THIRTEEN. i I SYDNEY, May 31. The English Rugby League team opened its Australian tour yesterday with a match against Sydney, the tourists winning by 15 poinl:s to 13. Although the margin was small England showed great promise considering it played against the majority of Test match probables. There was an attendance of 52,489 spectators and the gate takings amounted to £4541. The match was mainly a keen struggle 1 between the forwards, and the outside ' backs had few opportunities owing to excellent covering on defence. The exchanges were often hectic. Hodgson was 1 cautioned three time's and Atkinson once. England's weakness was in the half-back. ■ McCue's breaks from the scrum were generally across field. Down at half-time by 5 points to 4 after securing possession in 30 per cent of the scrums, England rallied and dominated most of the second spell until the players' I condition faded. Hodgson was the outstanding forward and initiated the best move from the loose, Brogden, Ellerington, Risman and Morley handling in succession, the winger, a former British Rugby international, scoring. Sydney missed the resource of Thicknesse. McKinnon and Brown were well watched, while Ridley was often out of position. Silcock and Armitt were the hardest forwards in the rucks and Ellerington was speedy in the loose. McCue was subdued and failed to give Brogden the necessary service. Morley and Smith had few chances to be impressive wingers. Brough was enterprising at full-back and outranged Beaton in punting. The exciting finish was due to the desperate efforts of the Englishmen, who persisted in playing the Australian type of open football. Hodgson missed a field goal by inches a few minutes before the bell. Morley scored a try for England and Hodgson and Risman each kicked three goals. For Sydney, Hurley, Brown and McKinnon scored tries, Brown and McKinnon each kicked a goal. The English team will play its next match against Southern Division at Seeton on Wednesday. The first of the three Test matches will be played at Sydney on June 29. The New Zealand tour opens at Wellington on July 29. The first Test will be played at Auckland on August 8.