RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 19392, 29 October 1926, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

HEW ZEALAND TEAM’S TOUR THE FIRST DEFEAT [From Our Special Correspovdekt.] HARROGATE, September 21. On Saturday, September 18, the All Black team journeyed to Halifax to play there the third game of the tour. After the two previous and successive victories in the games with Leigh and Dewsbury, New Zealand expected to win again, but playing much below form tho team suffered its first defeat to_ tho tune of 19 points to 13. The attendance was given officially as over 16,000, which figure was considerably increased later. The gate takings were over £l,lOO. The All Blacks are proving a most popular attraction, and I feel sure that in a very short time the tour will have proved a great success. Tho weather, a big factor ■in the success of tho tour, lias so far been all that could be desired. Saturday proved a real summer’s d'ay, and, if anything, was too hot for football. Leaving Harrogate about 9 a.m., the team arrived at Halifax at 1.45 p.m., having [icon held up en route outside Leeds by a train smash which had occurred lower down the line. The boys were met upon arrival at Halifax, a city of the same size as Christchurch, by the officials of the local club,. a nd proceeded at once to the ground. Halifax is the home town of the idol of English League of a few years ago. I refer to Harold Wagstaft, who skippered the English team that visited New Zealand in 1920. Ho is 'now the coach of the Halifax Club. The New Zealand team for the day contained three players who were making their first appearance on English fields. They were F. Delgrosso (Auckland), J. Menzies (South Auckland), and W. Desmond (Canterbury). The New Zealand team limed out as follows:—C. Dulty (Auckland), full back; G. Gardiner (Auckland), B. Davidson (Auckland), and W. Desmond (Canterbury), three-quarters; F. Delgrosso (Auckland), half-back; J. Kirwan (Auckland), first five-eighth; H. Brisbane (Auckland), second liveeighth; forwards—J. Menzies (South Auckland), E. Herring (Auckland), A. Carroll (Wellington), L. Mason (Canterbury), N. Mount (West Coast), and B. Avery, captain (Auckland). The Halifax team was:—Davies, Young, H. Young, W. Rhoades, King, Watkins, Todd, Rnwbone, Halliday, Brown, Rees, Evans, and Townsend. Tho referee was W> Wood, of Oldham. Tho Halifax team was led on to the field by tho president of the club, followed by tho All Blacks, led by Mrs Mair, wife of Manager Mail - . The Mayor of Halifax kicked off, while the Lord Bishop of Halifax kicked off in the second half. New, Zealand lost the toss and had to piny with a strong sun in their eyes. There was no wind. A feature of the first half was the apparently tired display of the New Zealanders. There was neither sparkle mor vim in their game, and naturally Halifax seized their opportunity. Of the backs Kirwan, at five-eighths, partnered by Brisbane, made the most of what lew opportunities came their way. Desmond, unlike his display in the second half, did not impress me isi the first half.

This was his first game, and he fully displayed his ability in the second half. Tiie tackling ot the backs Jett much to bo desired. Davidson, at centre, was denied opportunities in the first half. This was also the ease with Delgrosso, at half, who had a gteat deal ol tackling to do as a result of the failure of tho forwards to got the ball. All tho backs can rightly plead that their display was governed by this feature of the forward play, but this does not pardon them lor weak tackling _at times. Tins fault must bo remedied. Joe Monzies, the dashing South Auckland forward, in the first few minutes of tho game received an injury which handicapped him throughout the rest of the game, but he pluckily played on. Carroll was the hooker in the first half, but at half-time a rearrangement was made, Carroll exchanging places with Herring on tho outside. But these changes did not result in such a great difference as was anticipated. in the open, of course, all the forwards played very well, but it is the light forward work that counts in winning games in England. Dufty, at fullback, did not play up to form. His hefty kicking was as often as not badly directed, and, to my way of thinking, he was inclined to take things easy. At the same time, ho pulled New Zealand out of some nasty positions, Halifax played an inspired game, their backs being very alert and eager for work. The forwards kept on the ball throughout the game. When halftime came Halifax had established a lead ol 8 points to 0, made up of a penalty goal and two unconverted trios. If on tho display of tho first half New Zealand did not deserve to win, still every credit must be given to tho team for the fine reversal of form shown in the second half Backs and forwards all played in something of their true style, and at one singe it looked as though New Zealand would win through. But this was not to be. Two minutes from tho start Halifax opened with a penalty goal, duo to one of our forwards not playing the ball correctly. In regard to this rule wo suffered many penalties, and it is only fair to state that the referee’s rulings were often inexplicable to those in the Press stand as to those on the field of play. Times without number our men, on attempting to play the ball, were hustled off their feet by the Halifax forwards. Tho New Zealanders found this very different from the rule in New Zealand, which obliges opponents to stand clear from the one about to bring the ball into play. In more senses than one this was very upsetting to the visitors. More than that, it was a contributing factor to the team’s defeat. When but one point behind Halifax’s score of 14. a Halifax man got off-side palpably under his own goal. The appeal was ignored by the referee, and a sure 2 points were lost to Now Zealand, and with them the game. The infringement was clear to all in the Press stand, and all were lone! in their opinion that a penalty should have been awarded.

Fifteen minutes from the start Todd broke away for H. Young to score for Halifax a try which went unconverted. Eight minutes later the visitors’ backs were out of position, and King scored another unconverted try for Halifax. A penalty goal brought, their points to a total oi 19. In the middle of the second half the All Blacks made their great attack, when the finest passing rush of tho day resulted in Brisbane scoring a glorious try. Desmond received tho hall in his twenty-five, and, cracking on the pace, closely hacked up by Davidson and Duffy, raced for the line. After fooling tho opposing wing with a beautiful dummy lie transferred to Duffy, to Davidson (who cut in splendidly), to Avery, to Brisbane, who raced over. Duffy* added the points. This try had the crowd on its feet cheering the fast, machine-like, and faultless movement to the echo. Avery, who w r as playing a good game, had scored a try earlier, and was unlucky not to get over again during tho assault by New Zealand on the Halifax line lasting many minutes. A pass from Delgrosso also went astray at tho critical moment, and a sure try was lost. Halifax’s last try came in the last two minutes of the game, when tho ball, after travelling over the dead-ball line, rebounded from tho picket fence, and a Halifax forward forced it, tiie referee then coming up and declaring for a try, which was converted. Tho gamo ended: New Zealand 13. Halifax 19.