NEWCASTLE BEATS N.Z., 20-5

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 12

NEWCASTLE BEATS N.Z., 20-5

RUGBY LEAGUE

Tourists Outplayed In Mud

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY. June 4. The coalmining centre of Newcastle today lived up to its notoriety as the “graveyard” of visiting international Rugby League teams. New Zealand was beaten 20-5 by Newcastle on a blacK morass of mud extending over most of the local sports ground. Newcastle leu 14-0 at half-time.

New Zealand’s only try was scored three minutes from the end of the game when the massive forward Henry Maxwell crashed across from a ruck. Earlier the New Zealand full-back. Des White, had kicked a pena’ty goal. The Newcastle scorers were D. Adams, «D. Hawke. F. Brown, and B. Carlson, tries. R. Naughton kicked four goals.

New Zealand in 1952. England in 1946 and 1954 and France last year were beaten at Newcastle. Today the New Zealanders, reserving men for the first test next Saturday, and with the others taking the minimum of risk of injury in the mud. were outrucked and outpaced in tricky conditions.

The Newcastle morale soared less than a minute after the start when Naughton kicked a penalty goal from a play the ball infringement. Then there was no holding the Newcastle men. The centre, Tom Baxter, and half-back, Pat Greedy, were the outstanding New Zealand backs. Yates, with his smashing charges, and Murray were the best forwards. The New Zealand hooker, John Masher, won the scrums 18-15.

I The referee was quick to spot Newj castle infringements of the three-yara i play, the ball rule. He awarded New Zealand 18 penalties to eight, but White did not nave a good kicking day. The New Zealand manager. Mr Ron McGregor, -and coach, Mr Bill Telford, said: “New Zealand played well. We could not handle the conditions and never looked like handling them. Our men could not get moving, but Newcastle did.’ The attendance was 12.090.

WEST COAST BEATS CANTERBURY

GOOD GAME ON HEAVY GROUND

In a good wet-weather Rugby League match West Coast beat Canterbury by 10 points (two tries, one converted and a penalty goal) to 8 (two tries, one converted) at the Show Grounds yesterday. Rain had made the ground very heavy and conditions were all against good football. However, the handling of both sides reached a very high standard, and some good movements were seen. West Coast in particular gave a display of handling which could not have been surpassed even in dry conditions. Winning most of the scrums, Coast, with clever handling, threw in attack after attack which, against a weaker defensive side, would have brought many more tries. The Canterbury defence was fully tested and full credit goes to it for holding Coast down to such a narrow margin. When in possession the Canterbury players also showed fine handling ability and kept the Coast defence fully occupied. S. Kinner, behind the scrum, Lynch and Gibb, the five-eighths, and Pascoe at centre, combined splendidly for Coast and staged many sparkling movements. Their clean handling, speed and ability to find a gap were the main factors in their side’s victory. Kennedy arid Worthington, the wingers, made the most of their opportunities. running strongly, and their defence was also very sound. M. Bourke started very promisingly at full-back, coming up into the attack effectively, but unfortunately was forced to retire injured before halftime. The Canterbury back-line was hampered on attack through lack of ball for much of the game, but all did their work on defence very soundly. Jones, at half-back, got through a heavy afternoon with great credit. His tackling was invaluable. For most of the game Park and Keenan, the fiveeighths, were on defence and both did

a fine job. When opportunities to attack did come they showed that with more ball they would have been a formidable combination. C. Courtney did not receive many chances to show his attacking ability, but his covering work on-s defence reached a very high level. The wings. M. Courtney and Griffiths, defended very soundly and Derbridge proved safe at full-back. W. McLennan, E. Guthberlet, and F. Hassan led the Coast forwards in great style, and in the open, with Clarke, handled the ball like backs. The Canterbury pack held their own in all the play with Kilkelly, Rossiter, Wakefield and Turton always prominent. In. his first representative game Carlyle was little inferior. Rossiter’s all-round display gave further evidence that he will go far in the game. The Play The teams were:— West Coast.—M. Bourke: N. Kennedv W._Pascoe,K Worthington; R. Gibb, j’

Lynch; G. Skinner; C. Clarke, R. Lynch F. Hassan w E. Gutberlet, J. Coll, W. McLennan. Canterbury.—D. Derbridge; E. Griffiths, C. Courtney, M. Courtney; S. Keenan, S. Park; J. Jones; R. Turton, T Kilkelly, J. Rossiter, M. Carlyle. J. Jones, R. Wakefield. West Coast had the better of the early stages, keeping play in Canterbury territory. Coast was first to get points when Canterbury was penalised just outside the twenty-five. Bourke kicked a good goal. A fine move by the Coast backs made a lot of ground, and only good cover defence stopped a try. Coast kept throwing the heavy ball round in fine style, and winning the ball from the scrums was making most of the play. Fine covering by C. Courtney saved a tn’ when the Coast wing, Kennedy, was racing for the comer. Coast could not

be kept out and after fine passing Lynch went over for a try. Coast led at halftime by 5 points to 0. After being penned in its own twentyfive for the first 10 minutes. Canterbury brought play right back and M. Courtney was stopped just short of the line after a fine movement. Kilkelly burst through to bring play right to Coast’s line. From ensuing play Wakefield received and fought his way over 10 yards from the posts. Derbridge converted.

Coast came back and after a run by Lynch McLennan received and barged his way over and converted the try. Canterbury narrowed the margin with a fine piece of combined play which Keenan finished off with a try wide out. Derbridge missed the kick. The game ended shortly afterwards with play in midfield.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM TRAINING

The following players are requested to attend representative training at the Show Grounds at 5 p.m. on Wednesday:— D. Derbridge, E. Griffiths. C. Courtney? M. Courtney, K. Todd. S. Keenan, S. Park. N Clark. J. Jones. R. Turton. T. Kilkellv. J Rossiter, M. Carlyle, R. Wakefield, K. Pearce.