LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

FINAL TEST MATCH ENGLAND V. NEW ZEALAND VISITORS WIN BY NARROW MARGIN Weather conditions .wero anything but favourable for the final test match between England and New Zealand on the Basin iteservo on Saturday. A cold southerly wind and rain showers made things very unpleasant for the spectators, of whom there were about five thousand present. The ground was in fair orueiconsidering tho rain that had fallen dicing the week, but as tho game wore on it became cut up, and the ball becamo very heavv and hard to handle. On the play England were lucky to win. The Hew Zealand forwards played a great gamn throughout, and were very successful in smothering the English attempts to open up the game. Tho handling of the wet ball was first-class, both sides showing good form in this resucct. The tackling of tho New Zealandcrs was a great improvement on their previous displays, whilst, the Englishmen proved very strong ou defence, Wagßtaflo and Gwynno Thomas being hard to pass. For New Zealand Mitchell at. full-back was very safe and was responsible for some Tcry fine tackling throughout. The three-quarter-line, Grey, Sanders, Woolley, and Ifwerson went well, and it was very unfortunate for New Zealand that the latter was hurt, as up till his retirement hoi waß playing a fine game. M'Clymont at five-eighths was solid. Poleon, at half-back, was, on tho day's play, the best back ou the ground, lie got the

ball away from tho scrum very smartly, whilst on defence he seemed to be everywhere when wanted. The forwards all pjayed well, Ha6s and Walters beine tlm pick of a good lot. The Play. New Zealand won the toss, and played with the wind in their favour. The homo team at once set up an attack, and from a cross-kick by Grey England were forced. Tho visitors Btarted to throw tho ball about. A bad pass by Wagstafte spoilt a nico opening. A good kick by Ifwerson took play to the line, but tho Englishmen screwed tho scrum and relieved. Passing between Parkin, Jones, Wagstalle, and Stone let the last-named away, but ho wai well tackled by Mitchell when a scorn looked certain. M'Olymont with a WW dribble placed tho home team on tho attack, and from a cross-kick by Poison Ensland wore forced. The English backs returned to the attack, but Mitchell tlrcvp them back with a good kick. The houic forwards, playing with fine dash, made tilings unpleasant for tho visitors, but the tackling was solid. Further passing UP tho English backs saw Mitchell again to tho fore in repelling them. Bass and Walters headed a loose rush to England'* twenty-five, and Walters charged Thomas'i return and «c.orcd. Ifwerson failed with the kick. New Zealand, 3; England. I) Passing between Poison, Woolley, Sanders, aud ll'Clymont threatened danger, and a mark by Somers saw Ifwerson mako no mistako with tho kick at goal. New Zealand, 5; England, 0. Maintaining tlm pressure, New Zealand attacked strongly, and passing between Poison, M'Olymont, Sanders, Woolley, and Ifw.crson let tho latter over between the posts-a great try. Ifwerson converted. Now Zealand. 10; England, 0. These reverses roused tlm visitors, und play became fast. From a free-kick Gronow had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Tho visiting backs throw the ball about and in one rush practicallv the whole team handled tho ball, but the tackling was sound. QiL.one occasion Kkelhorne was almost over, Sanders taen ling him right on the line. From loom niay in the New Zealand twenty-live Dowers pickcd up and over. Gronow failed to convert. New Zealand, 10; England. 3. The home forwards smothered the English backs, and attached, Ifwerson injured his leg at this stage and Dohson look his place. Stono got away again, but was well tackled. Sanders and Bass returned to the attack, and M'Olvmont then threw away a certain try by kicking instead of running. England saved by it lucky force-down. Mitchell stopped a good rush by the visitors, and half-tlino wn» called.

Rain was falling on rnsuminc, and the ground bccamo very heavy, and back play was out of the question. Passing between Woolley,. M'Clymont, and Grey gained a lot of ground, but Wagstalfe returned. New Zealand were then forced froin akick by Jones, liowers Intercepted a pass, and lie and Wagstafte took pUr to me line, New Zealand forcing. Bass headed a loose rush, and passing between Mltclicil, Woolley, and Grey gained further ground. Being awarded a free-kick Bennett had nn unsuccessful shot at goal. A sharp at. tack by the visitors was well saved uv Mitchell. The Now Zealand forwards returned to the attack, and Saritiors pitted up smartly, but threw away a glorious opportunity to scorS by kicking. Klone made a good run, and kicked over thr, full-back's head. Grey, however, beat, htm to the ball, and kicked Into touch-in-coßl A few minutes later passing by Parkin. WagstaHo. and Bacon let the latter over, tironow failed to convert. New Znalnml. 10; England, 6. Play was exceedingly strenuous now, and I'olson was very prominent In stopping rushes,. Tho Now Zealand forwards worked down, and sot across the line, but were ca!M bock for an infringement.' Mitchell'- Walters, and D'obson were prominent in another dasn foT the line, but Thomas repelled the attack. By a scries of loose rushes England worked down field, Clark eventually kinking over the line, and scoring amidst great excitement: Gronow converted. England, 11: New Zealand, 1(1. With only tbren minutes to go both! sides strove hard, hut no further score resulted. Mr. A. Housu was referee.

NEW SOUTH WALES BEAT QUEENSLAND (Rcc. August 15, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, August 15. In a Ilugby. League match, New South Wales defeated Queensland by 40 to 18 —Press Assu.