UNDER THE LEAGUE CODE

Evening Star, Issue 17426, 9 August 1920, Page 3

UNDER THE LEAGUE CODE

ENGLAND AGAIN VICTORIOUS.

NEW ZEALAND OUTPLAYED.

The second League test mach. England versus New Zealand, was plaved at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, on Saturday. Rain had fallen all night, and continued through the greater part of the game, and this had a bad effect on the attendance, which was in the neighborhood of 6,C00. New Zealand was outclassed in all departments. The greasy, heavy ground and ball did not seem to affect the Englishmen, who handled, tackled, and passed well, while the New Zealanders were all at sen, then-tackling being very poor. Wagstaffe and Stone were the /outstanding English backs, and Guiney was always prominent for New Zealand* New Zealand kicked off. and as the result of a passing bout got down to England's line, where they were penalised. The heavy ground and ball militated against good play, but by judicious kicking and short passing bursts England reached New Zealand's line, a mark by Mitchell bringing welcome relief. After the kick the English backs got going, Guiney bringing Stone down in the nick of time. Sanders intercepted a pass, and the Blacks swept down the field. The Englishmen infringed the rules, and Mitchell had a good but fruitless shot at goal. Hesitation by Loveridgebrought trouble, but the Englishmen's assault, -was staved off by Sanders, who marked. The Whites came again, and from a scrum the ball was handled by Wagstaffe, Davis, and Stone, the last-named scoring in the corner. Gronow failed to add the major points. England 3, New Zealand nil. From a movement initiated by Guiney the Blacks jeopardised' the Whites' line, 'but effective tackling and a speculative kick resulted in a clearance. The Blacks turned attack into defence, and from a penalty Stormont had an unsuccessful shot. A great run by Stone should have resulted in a try, but Bass threw him out over the corner flag. Prom the scrum Hilton dived over, but Gronow failed with an easy kick. England 6, New Zealand nil. The Whites continued aggressive, handling the ball better than the Blacks, whose tackling was decidedly poor. The most comical incident of the match then took place. Poison (New Zealand) slipped with the ball about 15yds from his own goal, and Cunliffe pushed him along the greasy nronnd in a sittinir position right over, and he forced. On the resumption of piay Guiney got possession, and after a good run centred and followed up. The ball again came to him, and he got over. Stormont failed to convert. England 6. New Zealand 3. Just before half-time, from a mark, Gronow landed a goal, and the spell ended: England 8. New Zealand 3. On the resumption of play the Blacks swept down the field, and the Whites were penalised for not plaving the ball quicldy enough. However, "Mitchell failed with the kick. Sanders was very prominent for the Blacks..who twice forced the Whites, and were then sent back. From a scrum Parker gotT. possession and scored fn the corner. No goal resulted. England 11, New Zealand 3. A long period of play favoring neither side followed, and then Stone delighted the crowd by taking the ball through at his feet and scoring beside the posts. Gronow converted. England 16, New Zealand 3. The Blacks rallied somewhat, and good work' by Guiney caused England to force. The Whites made the Blacks; do likewise a few moments later, and gave them many anxious moments to boot. New Zealand eventually cleared its lines and looked like scoring, but the defence was too sound. Mitchell failed with, a penalty kick. At this stage Bass (New Zealand) was injured, and left the field. The- Whites swept down the field, and Wagstaffe handed the ball to Bacon, who raced over. No goal resulted. The game ended: England ... _ ... ... 19 New Zealand ... ... * 3