N.Z. LEAGUE XIII.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 137, 13 June 1938, Page 15

N.Z. LEAGUE XIII.

BEATEN BY N.S.W. DOMINION LED AT INTERVAL KAY INJURED SECOND SPELIX SYDNEY, June 11. In spite of a magnificent open display in the first spell, when it was definitely superior in many phases o£ the Rugby j League code, New Zealand was defeated by New South "Wales in the opening match of its tour to-day by 25 points to 12. There was an attendance of 28,303. New Zealand held the lead until 15 minutes after the interval, when Kay retired with a dislocated shoulder. 'After this stage the visitors were out-weighted with a man short and were unable to resist an avalanche of tries. The score at half-time was S—3 in New Zealand's favour.* • • • j '• Scorers for New South Wales were 'Dawson (2), Narvo (3), Goodwin and Holier. Williams kicked two goals. For New Zealand Kay and McNeight scored tries and Hemi kicked -three goals.. Even with a full team on the field throughout it is extremely doubtful if New Zealand could have withstood the I superior weight, back and forward, of New South Wales. N.Z. "Five Up" at Interval. The first spell produccrl brilliant .football, the visitors outpacing the opposition, featuring in mutual support and positional knowledge. The visitors' speed nonplussed the home backs, Brodrick, McNeight and Herring often combining with the three-quarters in dangerous rushes. New Zealand deserved a bigger lead than B—3 at the end of the spell, Hemi having failed with several kicks from good positions. \ New Zealand pressed early and was unlucky when McNeight, following a charge down, failed to gather the rolling ball fine yards from the open line. Dawson opened the scoring, grubber kicking 30 yards down the wing and following on. Kay equalised the score, accepting a pass from .Tittleton when Johnston failed to clear. New South Wales was frequently penalised, and Hemi goaled from the 1 twenty-five yards line but missed two other easy kicks. Doubling round the three-quarters, McNeight crossed at the corner, carrying three rivals over with him. New Zealand had much the better of the spell. Costly Mistakes. New Zealand faced a fairly strong breeze in the second half. It attacked with astonishing dash and looked certain to score twice, but mishandling by the centres prevented tries. Moreover, two easy penalty goals were missed. These lapses proved costly and from this stage New Zealand was continually defending. Weight began to tell and New South Wales repeatedly won the scrums, but the visitors continued to tackle nobly. Kay was injured in tackling tlie winger, Goodwin, who scored at -Jie corner. I Tetley was placed at five-eighths and Tittleton at centre. With twelve men New Zealand was outclassed.

Wilfred Brimblc gave good service with | few opportunities in the second spell. He also tackled well. Cliase was the best back. Herring and Brodrick were the outstanding forwards.