LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 307, 23 September 1926, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND TEAM’S LUCKY VICTORY ROCHDALE HORNETS PLAY GOOD GAME (Rec. September 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 21. The New Zealand League team's match to-day was against Rochdale Hornets, and not against Castleford, as in the list originally published. Only a remarkable rally in the second naif on-, a bled the New Zealanders to snatch a somewhat lucky victory, q Tho New Zealand side was: Gregory, Desmond. Davidson, Parkes, Brisbane, Cole, Hall, Devine, Carroll, Herring, Mason, Mount, and Avery. In tho first spell the New Zealanders secured an early lead, as tho result of a grand penalty goal by Mason, but then found tho Hornets a warm handful. Tho latter quickly recovered tho lead when Walter- Evans snapped up a stray pass and raced clean through tho defence to score a great try. Grand work by tho Hornets’ forwards kept tho New Zealanders 6n tho defensive for long periods, and the Homo side only got its deserts when Langshaw crossed the lino for a second try. Erratic finishing spoiled several good movements by tho New Zealanders, and before tho interval Evans scored a third try, but none of them were converted. At half-time the score was: Rochdale Hornets 9, New Zealand 2. Improved scrummaging enabled the New Zealanders to securo«the advantage in the second half, which was contested at a thrilling pace. After Mouat had placed a penalty, tho visitors’ backs executed a surprise attack, ending in Parkes obtaining a try, which Mason converted with another splendid kick. The teams were then level and a draw seemed certain, but two minutes before time Mouat put New Zealand ahead with a penalty goal, making tho final score:— New Zealand 11 Rochdale Hornets 9 ENGLISH TEAM FOR FIRST TEST (Rec. September 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 21. The following have been chosen as tho English League team for the first fest at Wigan ou October 2: Sullivan, Ring, Howley (all of Wigan); Carr (Barrow), Rix (Oldham), Parkin (Wakefield), Fairclough (St. Helens), Burgess (Barrow), Bennett (Wigan), Cunliffe (Warrington). Taylor (Hull),' Rees (Halifax), and Gallagher (Batley).