A GOOD START

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 13

A GOOD START

ENGLISH LEAGUE TEAM

WIN AGAINST SYDNEY

SYDNEY, May 31

England defeated Sydney at Rugby League yesterday by 15 points to 13. Though the margin was small, England was rich in promise considering that they were playing a majority of Test probables in the opening match of the tour. The attendance was 52,489 and the gate £4541 lis 6d. The teams were:— England.—Brough, Morley, Atkinson, Smith, Brogden, McCue, Ellerington, Hodgson, Exley, Silcock, Armitt, Woods. i Sydney.—Beaton, Ridley, Brown, McKinnon, Hurley, Norman, Mork, Johnston, Pearce, Lewis, Porter, Fairall, Stehr. The game was mainly a keen and robust struggle between the forwards. The outside backs had few 1 opportunities, due to the excellent cover of the defence. Exchanges were often hectic and Hodgson was cautioned three times and Atkinson once. . England's weakness was in the half-back, McCue's breaks from the scrum being generally lateral. The half-time score was: Sydney, 5; England. 4. / ENGLISHMEN DOMINANT. After securing 30 per cent of the scrums England rallied, dominating most of the second spell, but the team tired towards the end. Hodgson was the outstanding forward and initiated the best collaborative move from the loose, Brogden, Ellerington, Risman, and Morley handling in succession, the winger, the ex-British Rugby Union player, crossing the line to score. McKinnon and Brown were well watched and Ridley was often out of position. Silcock and Armitt were the toughest ruckers and Ellerington was speedy in the loose, McCue was subdued and failed to give Brogden the necessary service. Morley and Smith had few chances, but were impressive wingers, and Brough, an enterprising full-back, outranged Beaton in punting. An exciting finish was due to the desperate efforts of the Englishmen, who per-

sisted in playing the Australian typ® of open football. Hodgson missed a field goal by inches a few minutes before the bell. Scorers were: For England, Morley a try, Hodgson and Risman each three goals. For Sydney: Hurley, Brown, and McKinnon tries; Brown and McKinnon goals.