COSTLY MISTAKE Got His Lines Crossed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 3

COSTLY MISTAKE Got His Lines Crossed

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY. The British Rugby League winger, W. Burgess, mistook the 25-yard line for the goal-line and cost his team a draw when the tourists lost, 13-18, to New

South Wales at Sydney on Saturday.

Burgess had made a great run down the right wing only two minutes from full-time after beating his opponent, M. Cleary. As he crossed the 25-yard line Burgess hesitated, and before he could start running flat out again, Cleary had tackled him. After the game Burgess said that he had momentarily thought he had reached the goal-line. This was one of a number of mistakes which cost the tourists the match. Strong Finish Burgess’s run was a feature

of a strong finishing effort by the British team. With 10 minutes to go, N.S.W. led, 13-8. Ten yards out from the N.S.W. 25, D.

Robinson threw a wild pass out towards his left wing and it was rolling on the ground before the N.S.W. winger, K. Irvine, snapped It up and sprinted away to score between the posts. L. Johns converted and N.S.W. led, 18-8. Britain hit back when J. Hardisty crossed near the posts for K. Gowers to convert, and then came Burgess’s unsuccessful run. The match was virtually a preliminary for next Saturday's first test, with Britain playing most of her strongest players and N.S.W. certain to provide the bulk of Australia’s team.

BEATEN AGAIN > At Wollongong yesterday Southern New South Wales beat Britain, 17-8, having led, 7-2, at half-time. For Southern N.S.W., L. Hannigan (2) and K. Smith scored tries, and B. Nevin (2), M. Condon, and R. Hay kicked goals. For Britain, A. Bucklay and G. Wriglesworth scored tries and A. Keegan kicked a goal.