RUGBY LEAGUE Kiwis Win 16-15 In Thrilling Contest

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30154, 11 June 1963, Page 15

RUGBY LEAGUE Kiwis Win 16-15 In Thrilling Contest

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) BRISBANE, June 10. When New Zealand beat Brisbane 16-15 in a Rugby League thriller under floodlights in Brisbane tonight it was anybody’s game up to the last five minutes when Brisbane led 15-13.

There was no stopping R. Bailey, the Kiwi centre, who slipped through a gap to open the way for a try by the winger, McCracken. The try clinched the game with five minutes to go.

The Kiwis scored four tries to three tries. That was the indication of standard of the two teams. The weather was fine and the game was played on a dry pitch.

The crowd of 12,000 was disappointing.

New Zealand won by 16 pointe (two tries by Bailey, one try by Fagan and one by McCracken: two goals by Fagan) to 15 pointe (tries by Drake, Farrell and Jones and three goals by Morgan).

New Zealand won the scrums 18-17, but Bisbane won the penalties 16-5. The Play

The Kiwis quickly settled down under the night conditions and the captain, M. Cooke, burst through the Brisbane players and passed to his winger. White, who was caught by Brisbane's Morgan 15 yards from the line. The Kiwis attacked again with five-eighths Ellwood always dangerous. The New Zealanders kept up the pressure and hooker Blackler grabbed a loose ball and sent centre R. Bailey over for a fine try.

Full-back J. Fagan cogj verted from the side-line, which made the score 5-0 after 14 minutes.

Brisbane came back, and the former test full-back, F. Drake, flew into the movement and dashed through for a 30 yards run to touch down. Morgan converted to make the score 5-all after 20 minutes.

Another, smart back-line move by Brisbane sent the winger, D. Farrell, over. Morgan missed the goal kick and the score was Brisbane 8, New Zealand 5. Play was tough among the forwards and a Kiwi centre. R. Griffiths, was earned to the sideline and replaced by G Kennedy. The Kiwis swept back, led by five-eighths Ellwood. who passed on to Bailey at centre, who side-stepped his way over after 28 minutes. Fagan missed thte conversion, and once again the Kiwis and Brisbane were level, 8-aU.

Fagan made up for his miss seven minutes later when he ran upfield to join in a backline movement to go over for a try which he converted. At half-time. New Zealand led Brisbane by 13 points to 8. Hospital Visit The New Zealand centre, Griffiths, who had received a knock on his head was sent to hospital at half time tor observation. In the meantime, the Brisbane winger, L. Morgan, kicked a penalty which narrowed the score: New Zealand, 13; Brisbane. 10. This was after 44 minuites. Brisbane was dangerous when Morgan streaked along the sideline for 30 yards before he was stopped by Fagan with a diving tackle. The Brisbane five-eighth, J. Gleeson, slipped through a gap tor 10 yards but was caught by the Kiwi player, M Emery. The Kiwis held Brisbane for 10 minutes with a slugging forward match on their 25-yard line. They could not stop a delightful side-step by the Brisbane half-back, I. Jones, who went 20 yards to touch down. The try was converted by Morgan, and Brisbane led 15-13 after 64 minutes.

However, the Kiwis, led by their driving centre. Bailey. drove back. He cleverly cut through on to five-eighths, Ellwood, to the powerful winger. McCracken. who dived over in the corner.

Fagan missed the kick, but New Zealand was ahead 16-15 after 75 minutes, and they held thte lead to the finish.