RUGBY LEAGUES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26638, 25 January 1952, Page 8

RUGBY LEAGUES

N.Z. LAST MATCH j EMPIRE SIDE WINS, IN LONDON Wj (KZ. Pres* Atsocuxtion— CopyrigMtM (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, January *! The British Empire team butS Kiwis, 26-2, at Stamford Bridie, ChdgS yesterday, in the only match ttwMM Zealanders have played in London Ottß our. The tourists were as keen as *u*M League enthusiasts of Yorkshire and tIM eashire to show the game in T<mß where the Association and RugbyJhH* todes hold sway, but the expennwn* Mfi lardly a success, as the crowd <ijMW lust over 6000 attended. The Rugby correspondent of rimes'* said to-day that most of-tnawH was not nearly as one-sided as the M*M suggested, and that the New Zealand** were unlucky to lose the services M|-*M if their six forwards early In thejMaSH lalf, when Johnson was taken to MMfiK with a dislocated shoulder. J The correspondent said the tourMf were so often in possession of the hat for a while it seemed almost ttteMß hie that not one of their attack* .**■ needed. * The Kiwis paid heavily for their Mrig donal mistakes, notably when JH| trapped a good pass from Barch*r& MK m open field ahead. At once the bnSj saptain, Cooper, was sent clean awaySj* iovered 75 yards for a grand try. wtjKl >ut one Kiwi being able to overtakMßM The Empire team had a great amK ige in height and weight, and the. Aimmk lan. members. Cooper, Bevan, lath, and Clues, were specially prtesMK mt. Bevan and Cooper were extreaßs last and strong on the wing, and wii? ■esponslble for breaking down the Kiwir ipposltion. Keen Marking * In marked comparison, the Kiwi* oeaUft rot overcome the keen marking and MH adding of their opponents. New 2*K and halves and three-quarters *MHH many chances by wild passing. At tMM Barchard, Eastlake, and Hough coaMMB deverly, but the wihgs, Edward* and'wM mgen, never seemed likely to. eaesiaWi :lose spotting of Bevarrand CodpeK _3| Some splendid work was doneiaJJM oose mauls by Blanchard, RichardnfolM Hcßride, and Atkinson, but it tMgfIHH bat the Kiwis, on the eve of ttisjrMWa ure for home, and with several aftDMH >est player* on the injured litt-WM teyed up for such 4 tough match, f• Ji The "Daily Telegraph ” said tKeiwdfl tvery excuse for the Kiwis’ poor 'Although their adaptability hem Overcome the shortages eausißll njuries during their tour, the inevttMl ■esult was that sound men had IKH >ver played at times. Yesterday their SMB ng was slow and without exact dintSHß rom sheer weariness." 1 Although the Kiwis have not eitraM rutstanding success as far a* result* *■ xrncemed, they will return home k*MK ng that they have proved a very MMK iiae, both on and oft the field. Johnson, who dislocated a shoulder ng the match, was discharged front'*■■ iltal last night after treatment. He ffw ail with the other member* of the Mm Zealand team in the Rsngitane this aMH toon. .33 The team is due to arrive in New,.**9 and on February 25.