BIG LEAGUE GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 25

BIG LEAGUE GAMES

AUSTRALIAN VISIT

WHY N.Z. MUST MAKE GOOD

The New Zealand '.-.Rugby League team to play Australia in the first Test at Auckland on-Saturday will be announced tonight. . Particular interest is involved in the Tests as New Zealand is in line for an invitation to tour England, and New-Zealand must defeat Australia to make tne tour an actual fact. That is: , wny Rugby League supporters are all keyed up for these games. The individual brilliance and great team-work of the Kangaroos will make New Zealand's task a strenuous one. \ The Australians are superb exponents of open Rugby League. But New. Zealand has always risen to the occasion and our Rugby players, whether League or .Union, are dour fighters. . The trials at Auckland last Wednesday were played under shocking weather conditions. The ground was a sea of mud and slush. It hampered rather than helped the New Zealand selectors, and ■" if players are chosen solely on performances that day thea there will be one or two surprises.

In the opening matches of the Wellington Rugby League Walmsley Shield competition, Petone defeated Randwick by 8 to 6, and Newtownnearly caught St. George napping, the premiers winning on the call of tinie by: 10 to 7. All -through the game, which was played under bad conditions, St. George exploited the passing game. It was a bad day for St. George as they played a long way below form and struck a vigorous Newtown pack capable of tak-1 ing full advantage: of mistakes in handling by St. George. -

Les Merson made a reappearance in senior football... He played in the centre position for Newtown and madi? a dazzling .run in the first minute of play which led to a try.

L. Simons, in the second row, was St. George's best forward. He had a busy time covering up mistakes made by his team-mates.

J. Carrol and N. Armstrong were solid front-row men and s^'ummagers. They rucked soundly.

Ciive Mulholland played soundly in the centre and with the exception of W. Spencer, full-back, he was the only St. George back who placed up to form.

AY. Spencer had a lot of Newtown foot rushes to contend with, but on no occasion did he flinch. Spencer scored the winning try for St. George.

WhenL. Maher transferred to Newtown, Central lost a good forward. He was outstanding in the Newtown pack and revelled in the tight. .

A cup for annual competition between Petone and Randwick has been presented: by Mr. L. Prangley, a resident of the. district. .... As the result of last Saturday's win/Petone are first holders of the cup. ' ■ , _■

In the reserve grade, St. George defeated Newtown by 8 to 5, and Randwick deftiated Petone 10 to 0. The Central-Eastern Suburbs match was hot played. ',' ■■ .« ~ - , " The Petone;. and- <• -Randwick Clubs have agreed to ? combine in a match against Add'ington, .'the,. Christchurcts premiers, on August 2S.'* , ■