LEAGUE & LEAGUERS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2218, 3 August 1914, Page 5

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS

A GREAT GAME GREAT BRITAIN BEAT N.Z, VISITORS PLAYED TO A STAND- . STILL, i (By Tolegropli—Press Association,) Auckland, August 2. The test match between the touring English team and New Zealand was played at the Domain on Saturday in showery weather, and in the presence of almost 20,000 spectators. There were not many in the immense crowd who were sanguine enough to expect New Zealand to win, but there were many who thought, in view of the added strength to the defence by the inclusion of Hardgreave at the eleventh hour, that the visitors would be extended before retiring from the field victorious. Therefore, when half-way through the first spell New Zealand began to take more than a defensive interest in the game, and when in the second 6pell the visitors were played to , a standstill, beaten back and forward,' it is not surprising that the crowd, which had become enthusiastic, was almost delirious when the final try was scored by Wilson. All honours lie with the beaten side, for when, in t'he first twenty minutes, England attacked almost continuously with a series of brilliant pass-ing-runs, the wearers of the fern leaf showed equally brilliant defence. At this stagq the English pack was getting the ball with monotonous consistency in the scrums, and thereby had a great advantage. The soundness of the defence eventually told its tale and the English dash became less noticeable and the passing erratic. New Zealand practically monopolised the attack in the second spell and scored ten points to England's five, the latter being from a try scored after a distinct breach of the rules.' This oversight on the referee's part during what may bo described as England's dying kick cost New Zealand the game, for at that stage the English team was played to a standstii, and it was only a question of time when the Dominion team would gain the upper hand. The New Zealand forwards were more than equal to their opponents, except in the essential process of hooking. The English backs vere cleverer in attack than the home team, but became rattled and erratio after being subjected to ; oft-repeated hard tackling. ■ ■After the match the captain of the English team, F. Wagstaff, said the match was the hardest played on the tour, and there was great merit'in.New Zealand's score because England played with a full team, whereas in the one test match in which Australia beat them England only had oleven" men on at the finish. . N The takings at the gate on Saturday amounted to £7Lo,,thus making a total of £1313 for the two matches played in Auckland. ' ' The teams were as follow:— Now Zealand.—Full-back, Hardgrave (Otahuhu); three-quarters, S. Weston, right wing (North Shore), K. Ifwersen, right centre (Grafton), G. Bradley, left centre (Wellington), W. Wilson, left wing (Wellington); half-backs, J. Barclay (Hawke's Bay), W. Bussell (Christchurch)scrum forward, S. Walters (North, Shore), J. Banks (Hawke's Bay), R. Mitchell (Grafton), C. Savory (Ponsonby)', E. Button (Christchurch) • J. Parker (Taranaki)i England.—Full-back, Woods; threoquarters, Moorhouse, Wagstaff, Jenkins, Davies; half-backs, Hall and Smith; Clampitt, Ramsdale, Longstake, Coldnck, Johnson^Holland. Tho referee was Mr. A. Ferguson. Auckland. '

Uninteresting play marked tho opening stages, .but fifteen minutes after starting England opened her scoring account, Moorliouso scoring as a result' of a pretty bit of play among the visitors' backs. Woods converted. England, 5; New Zealand, 0. Again 'the visitors attacked and eventually Moorhouse again scored as the result of a noat passing bout. Woods failed with,i tho kick. England, 8; New. Zealand, 0. At the end of thirty-five minutes, Parker intercepted a pass and transferred to Ifwersen ,who sent to Wilson, With a great sprint, ' the last-named scored. Ifwersen failed to, convert. England, 8; New Zealand, 3. Just before the. interval England added another try through the agency of 'Davios. , The kick at. goal (failed.. England, 11; New Zealand, 3.

In the second spell the home team made a better showing, the backs passing As tho result of neat work Banks scored and Ifwersen added the major points. England, 11; New Zealand 8. Later, Johnson, who jyas scored for England, Woods converting. England, 16; New' Zealand, 8. Just on the call of time Wilson snapped up the ball and put a fitting climax to a great, game by scoring for New Zealand. Ifwersen converted/ and the match ended — England. , 16 points. New Zealand 13 points. NEWTOWN AND SUBURBS! Once again the League world opened its surprise packet in tho victory gained by Newtown over Suburbs. On the last occasion those teams met Suburbs won. The encounter was not featured by attractive footballt—Suburbs-Newtown contests never are —that unattractive feature—ceaseless , babble—engaging most attention. ; The first ten minutes' of play were productive of other than pretty football, players being content to indulge in very looso play. Newtown were the .first to score, Strickland securing and converting'his own try. Immediately after tho . initial , scoire Suburbs set out to even matters, but the only result was a® mark taken by Russell. Shanks took the kick, but his'attempt failed.. Just prior to the end of the spell Campbell put the oval over the bar, as a result of a mark bj J. "Parker. This /was followed by a try from Russell. Once again Campbell was successful with the kick.. The spell ended: Suburbs 7, Newtown 5. The second spell improved little as far as tile quality-of . play was concerned. In the early part Suburbs had a large say in matters, but the Newtown backs held their own in tho argument. Strickknd ' brought the score to a level,- kicking a penalty goal. Prom this to tho ond of the spell Nowtown kept their opponents thinking, and with good combined play,'increased the score—Murdoch dodging oyer. Strickland's attempt at goal flew wide. Tho game ended: Nowtown 10, Suburbs 7. Mr. K. Barber controlled the game. PETONE V. ATHLETIC. As neither team had its full complement in the field, the former Laving 8 and tho latter 7 men, it was decided to play 20-minute spells, and the match was played more for the. practise it would give the teams than from a championship point of view.) Athletic were without Bradley and Wilson (who are in tho New Zealand team at Auckland), and did not get many opportunities. Guthrie scored first for Petone, and later Whitley (twice) and Childs repeated the performance, Ashto'n converting in each case. The gamo was not continued to the time call (Athletic's chance of recovering appearing too slender), and was abandoned when the score stood at —Petone 18, Athletic 0. llr'. W. Kerr was tho referee. WELLINGTON V. HAWKE'S BAY, Tho following will represent Wellington in the match against Hawke's Bay next Saturday:— Full-back, Strickland;-three-quarters, .Whitley, Bradley,' Marshall, and Wil«u ; halves, Murdoch end Utiku; for-

wards, Campbell, Spencer, Donaldson, Ashton, Lawler, and Manning. Reserves: Forwards, Sullivan; back, Jack Parker. , j CANTERBURY DEFEAT HAWKE'S BAY. . (By Telegraph—Press Sfisocietion.) j Chrlstchurch, August 1. The second interprorincial fixture, under the auspices'of the Canterbury Rugby League, was played at the Show Grounds to-day, when the Canterbury (representative team met Hawke's Bay in ideal weather. The Hawke's Bay men put up a good defence to a Canterbury attack, until a Canterbury rush had the visitors' backs in trouble, and they forced. Immediately afterwards Boon nearly got over at the corner for Canterbury, and Reid was almost across when a free kick relieved. From, even play in midfield, a kick by Hilia gave Hawke's Bay an advantage, but Gasson baved. A scramble on the Canterbury line resulted in Ellison scoring, Duval converting. Hawke's Bay 5, Canterbury 0. Canterbury then attacked strongly, and the Hawke's Bay backs were in trouble. Duval missed a pass, and Boon, snatching tlio ball up, trot aorossi Mitchell's kick failing. Canterbury 3, Hawke's Bay 5. Even play in- midfield followed, tho advantage being in Canterbury's favour. From ,'loose play in - the Hawke's Bay twenty-five, Kruso snapped up the ball, and scored easily, Smytlie converting. Canterbury 8, Hawke's Bay 5." The Canterbury forwards made :i, fine rush from half-way, ICnise passing to Mitchell, who- mads a brilliant pun, and scored. Smythe kicked a neat goal. , . Canterbury 13, Hawke's Bay 5., From .a scrum on the Hawke's Bay line, Mitchell got over, the • kick . failing. .Canterbury IP, Hawke's Bay 5. Half-time was sounded with play in mid-field. From the opening of the second spell- Hawke's Bay attacked, but lack of combination spoilt their chances, and Canterbury held the advantage. Some long kicks gave Hawke's Bay relief, and frtai a scrum on the Canter, bury line Selby scored. The kick at goal" failed. Canterbury 16 Hawke s Bay 8. This was Hawke's Bay s last score before the end, Canterbury put on- another 9 points. Tries were, scored by Smv,the, Reid, and Morris. The fihal tally was: Canterbury lo points - (two goals viiam fries and five tries), Hawke's Bay 8 points (a goal from a try and a try)..

. ; GOLF THE WAIWETU CLUB. A match between the Waiwetu and Karori Golf Clubs was played 011 Saturday 011 the links of the former club, with the result that Waiwetu won by 6ix games to nil: —H. - Jackson won from M. Burnett; P. A. Glenmo won from D. ,M'Bet'h; F. L. Simpson won trom T. 11. Boyes; G. S. Pringl|won from D. 'A. M'Leuium; E. 0. Holmwood won from F. Barclay; E. Glennie won from H. Booth. \ The ladies' match was a more even affair and ended with honours easy, thero being three wins for each _ side, as follows, giving tho Waiwetu ladies first:—Miss E. Gaynor won from Mrs. Henry; Miss M. Gaynor lost to Miss Shearer; Miss A. Gaynor■ lost to 1 Miss Webb; Miss Rothschild won from Mrs Hanson; Miss Isaacs lost to Miss M'Kenzie; Miss Asquitli won from Miss Campbell. '

MINIATURE RIFLE-SHOOTING

Another match of the second round in the Wellington Miniature Rifle Shooting Association's competitions was fired on Friday night between Clarkson's B.S.A. team and the Wellington City No. 1 team, Clarkson's winning by 20 ! points. Following are the 111div idual scores:—Clarksons: Morns, 100; W. H. Ballinger, 100; E. Ballinger, 100; Gibbons, 98; Spencer,. 98; I'ranklyn, 97 ; Priddey, 97; Craigie, 95. Total, 785. Wellington City: Mason, 100, Hunt, 99; Isaacs, 98; Snelling, 96; Mitchell, 94; Turner, 94; Jackson, 92; Winchcombe, 92. Total,' 765.