LEAGUE GAME

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 52, 30 August 1919, Page 12

LEAGUE GAME

(By "Kick-Out.")

THE FIRST TEST.

The first test has been played, and again the Australians have triumphed! And not only under less favourable circumstances,, but by a substantial margin! It was confidently expected by supporters on this side that the "All Blacks" would prove a more. formidable proposition than the combination which recently visited Australia, but still tho Kangaroo maintains his superiority, and, judging by the form displayed by the Maroons last Saturday, it will take a. great combination to beat them. In fairness,, it must be said that the New Zealand team was considerably weakened by the inability of several of thosa originally selected to come to Wellington; and then, too, some of the new men did not justify. the^r inclusion; A detailed account of the game has been published, as also has a description of the visitors. That each visitor is a worthy exponent of Australian League football was clearly demonstrated at^ the Basin Reserve. It was, indeed, surprising to: find them in such splendid form after | the sea voyage. Their display in combined passing rushes and side-stepping movements was the finest that has been seen locally for many a day, and it is to be hoped!that before leaving tho Dominion they will again be seen out in Wellington, s Tho New Zealand forwards played well, particularly during the early part of the game, Williams, Avery, liowry, and Walters all diing well. Scott, of Wellington, who was playing his first big game, did remarkably well—he was one of the best of the homo team—and will benefit by tho experience. The outstanding ' backs for New Zealand were Ifwerson and Bradley; the former, making the most of hra chances, played a great game, but Bradley was well watched by the opposition. These two men, notably Bradley, were the only players who tackled at all well, and this aspect of play will have to bo considerably improved upon. Mor"f' though out of place and somewhat light, justified his inclusion, and shone on more than one occasion, as did Dufty, tho fullback, lies had practically only one good chance during the game, but he was noticeable for his speed, the manner .m | which he overtook Horder classing him as one of the fastest Leaguers. New Zealand's main weakness was the connecting link between the forwards and the three-quarters; but ■ the two playere oonoemed wore playing under difficulties, Laing having a bad arm, and Neal being hurt during play. Tho latter, although seeing the game through, needed medical attention after the match. ' To most local enthusiasts the result was disappointing, but they, have every reason to be pleased at the great amount of interest created and the large assemblage at the Basin Reserve. As a result, league football should benefit in more ways than 0. H. J. Upton, and W. Webb, joint managers of the Australian team, are secretaries in Sydney of the Glebo and Eastern Suburbs clubs respectively. INTERPROVINCIAE MATCHES. There is every prospect of Wellington meeting the Auckland representatives before the close p£ the season, and negotiations arc now in Peeress for the match to be played in the Northern city on the 27th September-the first Saturday after the. Australians have . completed their Auckland engagements..

Stay-at-home supporters of Egmont Park at the Wanganui Hunt Meeting took a risk they- were not aware of, which probably accounts for the good price paid/ The Wangamii Chronicle reports that, while going past the stand to do their preliminary in the Kakarar niea Hack Handicap at the Waverley. meeting on Wednesday, Crystal Palace collided with and upset Egmont Pai'k, whose jockey, Johns, was injured sufficiently to prevent him riding in the race. Egmont Park was brought back to the bird-cage, and the services of Rutherford, an apprentice, were called in. The boy slipped the crimson, emerald green sash jacket over his ordinary clothes, put the green cap on, and went out in his everyday boots without whip ov spurs. He got his horse out smartly from the barrier, and was only headed at. the distance, finishing second to the smart Seaspritc. After the collision a notice was posted on the totalisator stating that Egmont Park would -not start, and before it was announced that ho was to be a sta,rter the totalisator had evidently closed, for all the figures tvere completed on the face of the machine, Egmout Park at that time carrying only 32 tickets. When the machine finally closed £563 more bad been invested, the total number on Egnvont Park being 203 tickets, . - .