LEAGUE N.Z. Beats England In Exciting Cup Match

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28313, 26 June 1957, Page 15

LEAGUE N.Z. Beats England In Exciting Cup Match

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 25. Headed by a fiery pack of forwards, New Zealand this afternoon beat England 29-21 in the last game of the World Rugby League Cup series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. A crowd of 14,263 were kept on their toes. It was New Zealand’s first victory in the present cup series. The Kiwis led 15-13 at half-time. During the first spell at one period the scoring was faster than a point a minute. The second half was played with terrific spirit and several times players were cautioned. ‘

The New Zealanders’ defence was far superior to that of England. . The Kiwis were awarded nine penalties to six. The English hooker, McKinney, had the* edge on Butterfield by winning the scrums 17-16.

England: G. Moses; E. Ashton, P. Jackson, L. Jones, M. Sullivan; A. Rhodes,-J. Stevenson; D. Turner, G. Gunney, J. Grundy, S. Little, T. McKinney, A. Prescott. New Zealand: P. Creedy; T. Hadfield, W. Sorensen, G. Turner, R. Griffiths; G. Menzies, S. Belsham; J. Riddell, C. Johnson, J. Yates, H. Maxwell, J. Butterfield. W. McLennan.

The match was played in brilliant sunshine tempered by a light westerly breeze. The centre of the ground was in good condition considering the rain that has fallen recently. The teams were:

The referee was Mr D. Lawler, of Australia.

Johnson won the toss and Jones kicked off deep to Creedy, who booted the ball down-field to Moses. England’s full-back tried to return the ball, but Maxwell knocked it down and New Zealand continued to attack.

England was kept on the defence when Jones misfielded the ball. Then Jackson made a great run, travelling nearly 40 yards, b.ut his pass was dropped as he neared the New Zealand twentyfive.

Later Yates intercepted and made a solid rum New Zealand was given a penalty. Sorensen goaled. New Zealand 2, England 0.

Jones, in a spectacular dash, cut through the scattered New Zealand defence, and sent Sullivan in for a try, which Jones converted.

Jackson scored next after easily forcing his way through the Kiwis’ defence. Jones again converted. England led 10-2. Hadfield Scores

A little later, Hadfield after some smart reversing, made the English defence look as if it were paralysed. He beat three men and cut in for a try, but Sorensen failed to gaol. England led 10-5. England was penalised again. Sorensen took the kick only inches in from the touchline and goaled brilliantly. It was one of the most difficult goals that had been kicked in the whole of the World Cup series. England were now leading 10-7 after 13 minutes’ Play.

New Zealand made a capital burst when Menzies cut straight down the middle and passed inside to Sorensen, who thrust off Stevenson before he was tackled on the English twenty-five. England was surprised when, from a short kick, Turner raced after the ball, gathered it in and dived over for a try. Sorensen missed the goal and the scores were even. Clever Try New Zealand scored again, with a clever try which the crowd applauded. From a scrum in the English twenty-five. Belsham fired the ball to Menzies. The English defence was badly tricked when Hadfield went on the open side of the scrum. Menzies, however, raced on the blind with the English defenders watching Hadfield. He then straightened up and cut along the touchline to score in the corner. Again Sorensen failed to goal. New Zealand now led, 13-10. The scoring rate was faster than a point a minute.

New Zealand might have scored again after a dash by Sorensen, who gathered the ball when Yates dropped it, but Sorensen ran into a wall of English defenders and failed to get any support. Stevenson was tricky in a reverse movement, passing to Jones, who sent the ball back to Stevenson and on it went to Gunney, who was pulled down near the New Zealand line.

Belsham, Yates and Johnson figured in solid drives and Johnson nearly scored, carrying four Englishmen with him. New Zealand went to a 15-10 lead when Sorensen kicked his third goal, a penalty from practically on the English twentyfive. The match had now been in progress 25 minutes.

The Kiwis’ defence was superior to that of the Englishmen, who went high for tackles and frequently let the New Zealanders race through. England scored when Stevenson went through the New Zealand defence and Crundy took a long pass to run 35 yards for a try. Jones had an easy kick at goal but the ball rebounded from one of the posts to make the halftime score: New Zealand 15. England 13. McKinney won the first-half

scrums 12-j6, and New Zealand was awarded four penalties to. England’s three.

Early in the second spell, Turner spun Yates heavily in a tackle and Yates threw some punches. Both were cautioned and then shook hands.

Grundy burst into the clear and passed to Jones, who raced 40 yards down the left flank for a try in a wide position. Jones failed to goal and England now led, 16-15.

Then Little burst through the New Zealand defence for a try but again Jones failed to convert. England went to a 19-15 ’lead.

A series of deceptive moves by the New Zealanders resulted in a try. The ball went to Riddell, who cut through the English defence for a try, which Sorensen converted. This put New Zealand in front again—by one point—the score being 20-19. The crowd was on its toes as play became fast and torrid. Belsham used a powerful kick which frequently drove England back. New Zealand’s forwards and backs tackled in powerful style. Grundy was one of the best forwards on the field and showed great pace. For a long time England attacked, but New Zealand managed to cling desperately to its one point advantage. England tried every method of which it was capable in an effort to crack the New Zealand defence, which withstood the intense hammering. England Ahead

There was a roar of laughter when Yates was called out. and cautioned and England was given a penalty. It should have been the other way round, for an Englishman had kicked Yates as he was on the ground. There was a burst of hooting from the crowd over the decision, and this was intensified when Jones kicked a goal from the penalty against Yates to make the score England 21, New Zealand 20.

The crowd again hooted, jeered and catcalled when Hadfield was called out and cautioned. New Zealand was given a penalty straight in front of the English posts and about a yard inside halfway. Sorensen kicked a mighty goal, and New Zealand again was in front, 22-21. The crowd was thrilled by the play, and waited intently for the finish.

The light now was bad and it was becoming difficult to distinguish players. A play-the-ball penalty was awarded New Zealand, and Sorensen had a difficult kick from 40 yards out close to the • touchline. He landed it amidst terrific cheering, to give New Zealand a lead of 24-21, with only a few minutes left before the final bell. Maxwell, McLennan, Yates and Johnson crashed towards the English line, and frequently were stopped only a foot or two away from it. Finally the defence crumbled and McLennan battled his Way through for a try, which Sorensen converted, to give New Zealand a meritorious 29-21 victory. Scorers were—New Zealand: Hadfield, Turner, Menzies. Riddell, McLennan (tries); Sorensen (seven goals). England: Jackson, Sullivan, Grundy, Little (tries), and Jones a try and three goals.