LEAGUE Convincing Second Test Win To Britain, 23-10

Press, Volume C, Issue 29651, 23 October 1961, Page 18

LEAGUE Convincing Second Test Win To Britain, 23-10

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) BRADFORD, October 21. Britain levelled the League series against New Zealand with a convincing win, 23-10, in the second test at Odsal today. Britain scored five tries and four goals to the Kiwis’ two tries and two goals. It was an open match which held the interest of the crowd of almost 20,000 to the final whistle. The reconstruction of the British team by the selectors proved a sound move, particularly in the forwards. Whiteley, the strapping Hull forward, was outstanding in the second row, and was in many of the home team’s attacks.

The New Zealanders never showed the consistent skill which gave them their win in the first test at Headingley. At times, they were brilliant, giving the ball plenty of air, and running well, but their attacks quickly fizzled out, Fagan was not his usual self, and missed six attempts to kick penalty goals. Helped by the fine, constructive play of their halfback, Murphy, Britain’s backs had a good day. The wings, Sullivan and Boston, were frequently dangerous. Sullivan scoring two tries. The centres, Ashton and Fox, were not often in the limelight, but Ashton scored a try. and Fox kicked four goals. Britain’s other try-scorers were Mupphy, Boston, and the loose forward, Evans. Despite his try, Evans was not a great success, and the British selectors may consider moving the powerful Whiteley to loose forward for the last test on November 4. Bailey scored both New Zealand’s tries, Fagan converting one. and kicking a penalty goal. The teams were:— Britain.—Fraser (Warrington); Boston (Wigan), Ashton (Wigan), Fox (Wakefield Trinity); Sullivan (St. Helens), Terry (St. Helens); Murphy (—); Dagnail (St. Helens); McTigue (Wigan), Huddart (St. Helens), Whiteley (Hull); Evans (Wigan). New Zealand. Fagan; Kennedy, R. Cooke, Bailey; Reidy, Bond; Snowden; Edwards, Butterfield. Emery; M. Cooke. Hammond, Castle. The referee was Mr Clay (Leeds). The match was played in fine, sunny weather. Kiwis Score First New Zealand was pinned in its own twenty-five for most of the first quarterhour, but defended stoutly. In the twentieth minute, the Kiwis attacked, and after a good handling movement, Bailey scored a fine try, which Fagan converted. Fox kicked a penalty goal

for Britain, and soon after the fuH-back. Fraser, kicked a second. Huddart and Fox carried on play for 40 yards, Sullivan ending the movement by diving over for a try. Britain went further ahead when Fox kicked a lofty penalty after Snowden had been penalised for wrong feeding in the scrum. Five minutes from the interval the elusive Murphy broke away and kicked for the line. Sullivan just beat R, Cooke to touch down for a try after a great sprint. Fagan was unfortunate with a 45-yard penalty kick which hit the cross-bar, and bounced back into play, so that the half-time score remained: Britain 12. New Zealand 5. Bond raised New Zealand’s hopes early in the second half with a great run, but was hauled down. Then Fagan kicked a penalty goal

to reduce the deficit to five points. But soon Britain was on top. Whiteley and Huddart paved the way for Evans to gallop over unopposed for a try, which Fox converted, and soon after Boston scared another try for Britain. Bond sped away for New Zealand, only to see Bailey fail to hold his pass with the line wide open. Then Fagan missed a 15-yard penalty kick at goal, pulling the ball high and wide. A dangerous run by Murphy for Britain was just thwarted. Then R. Cooke, with a perfect dummy, passed the ball to Bailey, who scored a rousing try. The Kiwis were flinging the ball about freely in efforts to reduce the deficit, but a penalty goal by Fox and a try by Ashton clinched the match for Britain.