LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 19, 18 October 1926, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE BY NEW ZEALANDERS HULL BEATEN JUST ON TIME A THRILLING ENCOUNTER (Rec. October 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 16. The New Zealand League lootball team put up a meritorious performance af. Hull, defeating bv 15 points to 13 a team which had been unbeaten in thirtyfive successive matches, on its own ground. It was .a . most thrilling encounter,'in which the last kick decided the issue. In the first-half the New Zealanders, were unconvincing, despite their speed,, but after the interval they reproduced New Zealand form, finishing up .the stronger side. The New Zealand team was: Gregory, Desmond, Davidson, Brisbane, Sounders, Hall, Brown. Avery, Gardiner, Herring, Devine, "Henry, Mason. Hull opened the scoring through G.wynne. Bateson .converting. The visitors set up a vigorous attacK, and Desmond nearly , got over. They continued the pressure, and Gregory kicked a goal from a free-kick. Attacking afresh, Saunders was pulled, down inches short of the (inc;. The New Zealanders scrummaging now improved, and they more often obtained possession, enabling tne side to keep up persistent pressure. The tourists started off the second spell brilliantly. Brisbane charging down (he TTii.ll back’s kick, and romping over the iine, for Gregory to goal. Devine, jhown, am! Desmond engaged in a sparkling bit of passing, which resulted in Desmond getting over, but the kick at goal failed. Deast sdc the scoring moving again for the homo side with a try. which Bateson converted. after the New Zealanders repeatedly stormed the homo defence, which culminated in a fine example of Hall s opportunism. He ’ flung himself oh the iine from a scrum close to the posts, scoring a list-mlniitn equalising try. Gregory was entrusted with the al.-im-nnrtant kick nnd goaled magnificently. The New Zealanders scored throe tries and thro Reals: Hull three tries and two goals Twelve thousand spectators were present.