'VARSITY TESTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 9

'VARSITY TESTS

FIRST GAME TO NEW ZEALAND

SYDNEY DEFEATED AT DUNEDIN.

(1-.I TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

DUNEDJN, 24th May

The first Test between the Sydney University and the combined New Zealand. University side was played . on Carisbrook ground yesterday in the presence of about 6000 spectators. The ground, was slightly greasy as a result of tlie'rain overnight. The gate takings totalled £600. .

Sydney won the toss. The game had only been in progress four minutes when New Zealand opened a scoring account, Burrows scoring a nice try. Dickson was unsuccessful with the . kick. New Zealand, 3; Sydney, 0. Shortly afterwards off-side play in the opposition twenty-five gave O'Regan an opportunity to kick a fine goal. New Zealand 6; Sydney, 0. M'Dermott (Sydney) kicked through and found a gap in theiVeW' Zealand twenty-five, but Johnson fumbled, and the ball vcat into

touch. Sydney backs, led by Tilbury, came back. Andrew knocked on, but was awarded a doubtful try. Williams converted. New Zealand, 6; Sydney, 5. Play hung at the half-way until Storey led the Sydney forwards to the New Zealand twenty-five, but New Zealand returned to the attack, though their passing rushes were being stopped by the solid tackling of the Sydney men. From loose play near the Sydney twenty-five Dickson picked up and transferred to O'Regan, who scored, but failed to convert. New Zealand, 9; Sydney, 5. Play hung in the Sydney twenty-five until a fumble by Gilberd enabled the visiting forwards to return to mid-field. The spell ended without alteration to the score. On resumption, the Sydney forwards invaded New Zealand territory, but Stevenson found the touch at half-way with a good kick. Play was terribly ragged at this period, very little combined play being exhibited by either side. From a line-out Brodie secured and kicked across field, Carter retrieving and scoring at the corner. O'Regan missed the kick. New Zealand, 12; Sydney, 5. 1 The New Zealand forwards now returned to their first-spell form, and were dominating the loose rushes and opening up play. M'Dermott transferred play to the New Zealand twenty-five with a smart run, but Cabot led back to the Sydney twenty-five, where Stevenson gave Dickson a clear run in, but the All Black forward knocked on. Both sides proceeded to open up passing rushes, and' an exciting -period of play ended at the New Zealand twentyfive line. From the ensuing play Carter picked up and transferred to Dickson, who passed to Keenan, and the last-nam-ed scored under the posts. Dickson converted. New Zealand, 17; Sydney, 5. Both teams were now very tired and play was ragged. Tilbury fielded the ball, and attempted a short punt over Webb's head, but Webb intercepted the ball and kicked through to the Sydney line,, where Owen came through and scored a fine try. O'Regan converted with a splendid kick. The final whistle left the scores :—-

New Zealand ; Sydney M. A. Eckhold was the referee.