LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 282, 25 August 1919, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIA V. NEW ZEALAND A WIN FOR THE VISITORS The first test match between the Australian team and New Zealand was played on Saturday at the Basin Reserve. 'There was a large attendance, estimated at about 7000 people. The game was spectacular and full of interest. the Australians thoroughly, deserved tlieir win on the day's play, their team work and back play generally being superior to that of tho New Zealiuulers. The New Zealand forwards more than held their own, and hooked the ball in .good style, but the connecting links between the serum and the three-quarter line were weak and in consequenco many excellent opportunities to score wero nipped in the bud. Tho tackling was weak also. The formation of the backs was changed slightly in the second halt, but unfortunately Neal, who was transferred to liveeighths, sustained slight concussion, ana was practically useless afterwards. Lang also suffered from an injured arm, ana his play suffered in consequence. ine play of the two Australian cracks, llovder and Cubitt, was greatly admired, the former's two tries being particularly good efforts, and he was given a great ovation. Bradley and Ifwerson were tho pick of the New Zenlanders, the tormer being responsible for a large amount ol Rood work, while his tackling was very deadly. Duft.v, at full-back, played a cool, heady game. .. Tho teams were as follow Australia (maroon): Full-back, T. Sweeney; threequarters. H. llorder, H. Gilbert, L. Cubitt J. Robinson; live-eighth, A. Johnston: half-back, A, Halloway; forward, C. Prentice, C. O'Donnell, 1. Ryan, I'. Burge, A. Oxford, J. Watkins Now Zealand (black): I'uU-back, U Dnftv; three-quarters, G. Ties, G. KraalOY, 'K. Ifwerson, A. Morris ;• five-eighth, J. Lang; half-biick, H. Neal; torwards, S. Walters, S. Lowry, W. Williams, H. Averv, W. King, .T. Scott. . New Zealand kicked off against the . wind, and passing by Ihe backs placed them on the attack, Sweeney relieving with a good kick. New Zealand nemg forced shortly afterwards. Good -jvork bv Bradley again placed Hie Blacks on the attack. The forwards got the brtll out of the scrum, but wild passing by Neal spoilt several good opportunities. Hallowav picked up in the loose and kicked hiirh, and collared Dufty m Pf 3 ' session. The Maroons attacked strong.y. Brad lev cut in finely, but was well tackled bv Gilbert when looking dangerous. Play hovered round halt-way tor some time, and a kick by Johnston was cleverly marked by lies. The Blacks forwards carried Iho ball down the held, and then wild, passing by the New Zealand backs gnve Horder possession. Ho put in a brilliant run, side-stepping four opponents, and scored. Oxford converted. Australia, .1; New Zealand, 0. Good work bv Robinson and Gilbert took play to New Zealand territory, but. a good forward rush returned the play, and Prentice saved. Further passing by the Maroon backs was well stopped by Bradlev. Another dangerous passing rush j between Johnston. Cubi'.t, nnd Gilbert j was well saved bv Dufty. The New /lea-. land forwards, led by Scott, dribbled down tho field. Ifwfason joined in, and picking Up smartly he beat th» opposition, and scored. Dufty converted. Australia, ft; New Zealand. A good oiit-in bv Gilbert was saved by a splendid tackle bv Bradley. A clever centre bv Morris looked dangerous, but Hordei, Gilbert, and Cubiit returned, and the Blacks were forced. The visitors continued to attack, and New Zealand again forced from a kick by Swoeuey. Keepin" up the pressure, Hallowav dived tor the line, but was held tip, and from the "nlav-the-ball" Johnston was neari.v over. Tho forwards, however, staved oil the attack but were forced from an at -empt at goal b.v Oxford. Play was very fast at this shzo. and each side took a hand at attacking, but the defence was very solid. From a. mark bv Bradley, Du?',y made a good but unsuccessful attempt a. goal.-. Passing between Halloway and Johnston «nw the latter.cut-in and score a g-OQd try ' Oxfoi'd failed to convert. . Australia 8; New Zealand, S. A good run by. lies placed the 11lacks on the offensive, but. the passing again went astray, ant the Australians returned with a good passing rush, Robinson missing the pass "at a critical moment. Good work bj Bradlev and Duftv took play back to the visitors' line, and from a free lack D 0../ kicked a. good goal. Australia, 8; New Zealand. 7. from the kick-oil. Bradley made a'fine run. and pn-ic.il to Walters, whose transfer was forward, spoiling a fine opportunity. Tfwerson gained a lot of ground, but the visitors' backs return- j ed and passing between Horder, Cubitt, Gilbert, and Robinson was spoilt by n knock-on. Gilbert was nearly over, but was well tackled bv Neal. A good dribble bv Williams took play to half-way. where the Blacks hooked the ball. .Weal worked the blind side, but Horder intercepted, and made a brilliant run. Dodging and side-stepping in great style, lie beat seven opponents, and scored. Uxford coaled. Australia, 13; New Zealand, .7. Gilbert and Cubitt wero responsible for good efforts, and, from a scrum, passing between Halloway. Johnston and Gilbert. let the latter over. Oxford converted. Australia, 18; New Zealand 7. A good bit of passing between Bradley and Morris gained a lot of ground, but Horder saved, and half-time was called shortly afterwards. On resuming, Neal and Lang changed places. The Maroon backs, opened wel, but Bradley and Morns returned. In a loose rush by the local men the ball was kicked over the visitors Lne, and Lang scored near the corner, but Ifwerson's attempt at goal falled. Australia, IS; New Zealand 9. Hay was now very fast, the ball travelling up and down the field by passing rushes. Sweeney gained possession, and passed io Horder. who was well tackled by liwerson. Bradley and ilorris combining toll, removed the danger, and play returned to half-way. Border broke through on liia own, but was chased and caught by lies when a try looked certain. Lang repelled the attach, and play went to the Maroons' twenty-five where, from a scrum, Halloway passed to Bobinson, who centred. Dufty took the ball, and though charged, potted a tin? goal amidst great enthusiasm. Australia, -3; New Zealand, 12. After a spell ot give and tuko play Morris picked up smartly near the outline, and runnine strongly towards midfield, ho kicked over tho Maroon backs' beads, and Ifwerson followed up smart y, and gainin" - possession, outpaced the full-back, and scored. "Dufty converted. *iwtriw lia. 23; New Zealand, If. P n6 ?, in S , tween Neal. Ifwerson, nnd Bradley took the ball to the line, but tjie defence was verv solid. From an attempt at goat by Unity. Horder, instead of forcing, ran to the centre, and passed to Cubitt, who cross-kicked to Ryan, who sent on to Burge, .who got over. Oxford faikd to convert. Australia, 20; New Zealand, 17 The Blacks retaliated, and worked tho ball well down field, where, from a' free-kick, Dufty goaled. Australia, -6: New Zealand, 19. tbe kieWft mitkins charged Dulty S kick, and bcoied from the rcbouml. Oxford converted. Australia. 31; New Zealand, 19. ■' Australians were throning the ball about in good stvle, anil passing betwewi Hallo wav and Johnston saw Cubitt cut-in and SUH'C. Oxford converted. Australia, .lb; New Zealand, 19. Cubit, scored again, a few minutes later, from another passin" movement; .Horder jailed to convert. Australia,. 3D; New Zealand li>. lhe Maroons maintained the attack but Dnftv relieved. Morris tackled Burge, and placed tho .Blacks on the a.tack, lluftv again being successful from a penally kick. Australia. 39; New Zealand, '/I. I'lav was very fast and open. Johnston centred to llurge. who was well tackled bv lies, but lfyan was handy, nnd picked up, and scored. Burge converted. Australia, tt; New Zealand. J New Zealand made strenuous etiorts, but ,filh no success, and the game ended. Mr. A. House was referee.