FINAL TEST

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 40, 16 August 1920, Page 4

FINAL TEST

ENGLAND'S NARROW WIN

GREAT LEAGUE CONTEST

Cold and wet weather conditions did not prevent nearly four thousand people assembling at the Basin Reserve on SatI urday afternoon to see in action Harold Wagstaffe and his team of English footballers^ a gainst New Zealand's chosen. A first-class- display of the ' Northern Union game, known looally as the League, was reckoned to be out of the question Binder such circumstances, but, contrary to expectations, the exhibition was of high order, there being evidence in plenty of, the capabilities of this 1920 combination. Apart from this, too, the New Zealanders displayed great form, and as a result the contest was one of the most exciting' and keenly fought seen in Wellington for some time, the trend of play being such as to keep the interest ol: spectators at high tension until the final whistle. In spite of many difficulties, notably a sodden ground, a heavy, greasy ball, and a bleak southerly wind, the Englishmen threw the ball about attractively, and individually showed their elusive side-stepping qualities, and collectively worked with fine combined effort, both in forward and back divisions. But the New Zealanders had been tuned up to a high pitch for this, the final test match, and, playing remarkably well (appealing more suited to the conditions), they made their formidable opponents work hard every inch of the journey, so hard, in fact, that the contest was only won in the final stages, and then by a single point—England 11, New Zealand 10. With the wind in the first spell, the New Zealanders held an advantage, and a lead of seven, points ait half-time, but the second half favoured the visitors^ New Zealand being weakened by the abSence of Ifwerson. The outstanding feature of the game, through which there was not a dull moment, was the great performance of Poison (New Zealand's half-back), whose splendid efforts were applauded lime and again. It-was his "day out," and at the conclusion oi: the game he was loudly cheered by the spectators. Next to this was the deadly tackling by the, N.ew Zealanders, and this was largely responsible- for the visitors' comparatively email score. Altogether, the game was an exceptional one under existing conditions. On returning to the pavilion the visitors were loudly cheered. This completes* the English team's tour of Australasia. The teams were as follow :— England (Yellow and Black):—-Full-back, Gwyn Thomas (Huddersfield) ; three-quarters, W. J. Stone (Hull), Evan Davies (Oldham), Harold Wagstaffe (captain, Huddersfield), J. A. Bacon (Leeds); five-eighths, E. W. Jonea (Richdale Hornets); half-back, J. Parkin (Wakofield); forwards, 6. A. Skelborne (Warringtou), J. Caitwright (Leigh), J. Bowers (Roch- ■ dale Hornets), Ben. Gronow (Huddersfield), H. Hilton (pldham), and B. Clark (Huddersfield). New Zealand (All' Black):—FulUback, .W. MitchelJ (Canterbury); three-quar-ters, !E. Grey (Auckland), J. Sanders (Canterbury), K. Ifwerson (Auckland); five-eighths. C. Wooliey (Auckland), A. M'Clymontv (Auckland); half-back, C. Poison (Auckland); forwards, S. Walters, W. Somers, W. Stormont, E. J. Bennett; N. Bass, and .H. Avery (all of Aucldand). -..-■.. < '> It was evident during the opening stages of play that the heavy ground did not suit the- back divisions, but the forwards quickly adapted themselves to the conditions, and for a time play was of a scrambly nature, mainly confined to the forwards. The New Zealand backs soon discovered what was required of them, and after a free-kick had placed the visitors on the defensive, bright play by Poison and Grey brought about a forcedown by the visitors. A strong forward rush by the Englishmen followed, but progress' was stopped by an infringement, from which Ifwerson made a beautiful line-kick, the ball going out near the visitors' line. In a series of scrums and close forward play the Englishmen showed more vigour, and it was not long before Stone showed his worth by a fine dash for the line, being almost over when Mitchell brought off a fine tackle. Subsequent play saw the visitors attacking vigorously, the backs surprising spectators by opening up play and handling the heavy ball cleverly. The forwards were breaking through solidly, and the backs were supporting with good movements, but equally solid was the Blacks' defence, deadly tackling being a feature. Relief to New Zealand was brought by off-side play by Wagstaffe when a, score seemed likely, and then the Blacks dashed away. Stormont chased after a long kick by Ifwerson, and grounded his opponent on the goal-line,., where some exciting play ensued. Faulty passing let the English forwards away. The advance was sudden, and the return of the Blacks was more so, Mitchell and Poison being mainly (psponsible. A fine chance came to Saunders, but he- stumbled over an opponent. Thereafter the struggle was willing, forward rushes and passing by the backs keeping the ball in play at a fast rate. A sudden change came over the scene when Joneß mado an attempt to relievo pressure. His kick was charged down, and Walters rushed across to score a try. Ifwerson was unable to convert from a- difficult angle. Nuw Zealand 3 England .'. . 0 Again ths ; New Zealanders attacked in great style,'and within a few minutes Avery marked in a good position. Ifwerson successfully piloted the ball, adding two points to New Zealand's tally. Playing in great style, the Blacks were having much the best of the game, and excitement ran high as M'Clymont provided another opening. Wooliey made use ol: it, and then Ifwerson. in a. fine run eluded several opponents, 'to -corebehind the posts. He converted his own try. New Zealand 10 England 0 Stirred by this further reverse, the Englishmen exerted their energies to the full, time and again making the Blacks' line dangerous. Penetrating the defence, however, was a stiff proposition. Wagstaffe gave several indications of his prowess, but with no result; Parkin and Skelhorne engaged in a strenuous effort to score, but the latter was tackled on the line; Parkin tried another move by throwing the leather half-way across the field to Stone without success; and so the Englishmen strlved to score. At length they were rewarded, Bowers diving across from a scrum near the corner flag. Gronow failed with the kick. New Zealand 10 England 3 During the remainder of the spell the visitors threw the ball about attractively in spite of. the heavy ground, and the | Black forwards were likewise giving of I their best. The net result was no further \ score, though New Zealand lost a finp. opening through a player centreing the ball instead of feeding the wing threequarter.- The Blacks suffered a severe . loss in Ifwerson, who was compelled to j retire owing lo an injury. Dobson ; (Wellington) filled the vacancy. ! Rain was falling when play resumed. That the Englishmen were out to force the pace in this spell was early apparent, the Blacks forcing-down twice within a short- period, Fftft, vigorous play followgd an uiuuece.esf.ul penalty kick by

i Bennett, a succoasion'rof ruuhen by the i Yellows being each time sent back by kicks downfield, tho Black forwards each time chasing after the leather in great ('style. Occasionally the backs, mainly the visitors, indulged in parsing, but play I was mostly a giyeat struggles between tho forwards.. Stormont doing great work for New Zealand. During this Clark and Grey suffered injuries, but continued to play after receiving attention. Finally, after the ball had been cleared from Now Zealand's line, Grey and Wooliey mado a spirited dash, which was stopped in English territory. Before long tho visitors were again in a dangerous position, and finally when tho ball ramo out from tho scrum a passing rush onabiad Bacon to score. Gronow's kick failed. New Zealand : 10 England \ 6 Excitement grew as tho visitors kept up a strong attack. Once Now Zealand forced, and on another occasion Wagstaffo missed a likely score by not holding a pass. With England trying hard to wipe off the deficiency it was a question whether New Zealand could hold their live successfully. Various methods were tried by the Yellows, but the best seemed to bo to get the ball ! out to the backs. Several times^thiswas dons, and on each occasion an almost certain score was prevented by a splendid tackle. Eventually the Blacks cleared, and went near to Bcoring. but the change was only temporary. The next English \ attack met with better result—Clark followed up a short kick,over the line, beat the full-back in the race for it, and j scored. Gronpw's kick pla-ced the visitors I a point ahead. The struggle became more keen, but England maintained the advantage, and just on time Hilton narrowjly missed \ try near the corner flag. A memorable game ended :— England H New Zealand 10' Mr. A. House ga-ye every satisfaction as referee.