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RUGBY LEAGUE

N.Z. TEAM WINS IN ENGLAND

FIRST MATCH OF TOUR (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 25. In the first match of its British tour, the New Zealand Rugby League’s team beat St. Helens by 11 points to 5. For New Zealand tries were scored by T. Hardwick, R. McGregor, and M. Robertson. R. Clarke converted one.

St. Helens failed to make use of the advantage which the splendid hooking of Blackmore, the Welsh international, gave it in the early stages, and the tourists gradually assumed the upper hand. Only half of the New Zealand players were fit after the sea voyage, and they were a player short for nearly 30 minutes, when the New Zealand scrum half, Haig, had a leg injury. The tourists still managed to win a fast and exciting game on their merits. - -

The New Zealand captain, Smith, went over early in the first half, but was recalled for a forward pass. Newton soon after snapped up a loose ball and sent Hardwick over. Clarke’s kick hit the f>ost. St. Helens missed a chance of equalising when a defender knocked down Heaton’s pass almost in the goal-mouth. New Zealand kicked a good deal throughout the match, but at this stage they suddenly reverted to passing, and McGregor scored a good try. Clarke missed again. A St. Helens penalty reduced the lead at half-time, the scores being: New Zealand 6, St. Helens 2. St. Helens missed another good chance with the New Zealand defence wide open soon after the resumption. Morris knocked on and Aston failed to recover the situation. A prolonged St. Helens attack severely tested the New Zealand defence until the tourists’ full-back, Clarke, came through with a great run to reverse the advantage. Haig went off, then resumed for a short period, but he had to leave the field half-way through this spell. Hie St. Helens backs opened the way for Doyle to score on the left wing, blit he kicked and missed. Graham, with a fine run, sent the St. Helens backs into a defensive position, and In the last few minutes a defending back’s mistake opened an easy way for Robertson’s try. Clarke kicked a goal. The managers of the team have decided to make no request that another player be sent from New Zealand to repla'ce C. Hurndall, the second row forward, who was taken ill on the voyage and returned to New Zealand from Panama.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19470927.2.33

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 4

Word Count
405

RUGBY LEAGUE Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 4

RUGBY LEAGUE Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 4