LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 263, 3 August 1936, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

English Team Beats South Island GOOD GAME IN SPITE OF ATROCIOUS CONDITIONS By Telegraph— Press Assoc lanon. Christchurch, August 1. A League football match between the touring English team and the South Island representatives was played at the Showgrounds to-day under atrocious conditions. The ground was inches deep iu greasy mud in many placer, anu everywhere wet and slippery. The game in the circumstances was surprisingly good, being full of movement and excitement. The English team won by 17 points to 3, five tries, one converted, to one try, unconverted.

The English backs could not show their full brilliance in passing, but they handled the heavy, greasy ball with remarkable skill. The South Island backs saw little of the ball, and as possession is everything in the League code, England’s win was an easy one. However, the home forwards held the giant English pack very well in the second half.

Tries were scored for England by Edwards (2), Atkinson, Davies and Morley, and the South Island’s try was scored by Hendry. Hodgson took all the kicks at goal for England. Some of his attempts from hard angles were excellent, but he missed one sitter in front of the posts. The game was not a real test, but it served to show the very marked superiority of the visitors. FIRST TEST TEAM Cootes Wins Place in New Zealand Side By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, August 2. The following team has been selected to represent New Zealand in the first Rugby League Test against England at Auckland on Saturday :— Backs: J. Hemi, E. Scott, W. Tittleton, L. Brown, Trevarthan, A. Kay, W. Powell (all of Auckland). Forwards: J. G. Cootes (Wellington), W. McNeight, J. Calder, W. Glynn (West Coast), Pickrang, D. S. Watene (Auckland). Watene is captain. AUCKLAND RESULTS By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, August 2. League matches played at Auckland yesterday resulted as follows: —Richmond 22, beat Newton 6; Manukau 11, beat Mount Albert 6; Ponsonby 9, beat Marist 8; City 8, drew with Devonport S.