RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28129, 19 November 1956, Page 16

RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

ENGLAND BEATS AUSTRALIA

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) ILKLEY, November 18. England beat Australia by 21 points to 10 in the first Rugby. League test. The match was played in steady light rain and on a greasy field that became muddy, at Central Park, Wigan, yesterday. It was a stirring match which produced some fine play, especially by the Englishman late in the first half. Tempers flared over the closing quar-ter-hour, one cause being the English

forwards’ use of the "stiff-arm’’ tackle. Several cautions were given. The bad weather restricted the crowd to 22,473 and takings to £4837. as compared with 34.505 and £8628 at the first test at Leeds in 1952. Australia began with a fine try from the first scrum after six minutes, but England replied with three trie# and led 9-5 at half-time. A great try by the right winger. Billy Boston, after nine minutes of the second half inspired continuous pressure by England, and midway through the half England led 21-5. Five minutes from the end, the halfback. Keith Holman, rallied Australia, and the centre, Dick Poole, scored a try which Holman converted from near the touch-line. England adapted its play much better to the tricky conditions, and after some early mishandling was superior in passing and handling, and also in tactics. The Australians dropped many passes, or lost position when tackled. Some of their tackling was too high.