RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 19418, 29 November 1926, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE

NEW ZEALAND TEAM'S TOUR MATCH AGAINST BRAMLEY [From Our Correspondent.] HARROGATE, October 14. The tenth game of the tour was staged yesterday at Bramley, a small town about three miles from Leeds and nineteen miles from Harrogate. The weather for this game surpassed even the bad weather experienced in the game at Warrington on the previous Saturday. It was bitterly cold, and the rain fell in torrents all throughout the game, making the conditions all against good football. The New land team contained several interesting changes. Gardiner (Auckland), who hitherto has played on the wing, was moved up to the second row of the scrum. Brown (Auckland), who is also a winger, came in to- the position of first five-eighth. Parkes (Auckland), another winger, went to centre-three-quarter. As this .wap, for most of the men mentioned, the first game in a new position, it is too early to judge their capabilities. But Gardiner and Brown proved quickly their adaptability, and played really, well. Dufty. who was injured some time ago, is still suffering from a bruised rib, but should bo lit again shortly. _ Mouat, who recently underwent a slight operation for a noso injury, will not bo available for some games to come- He will be greatly missed from the forward line, whore his ■kicking and tackling have helped the team to victory on ’ many occasions. Petersen is suffering from a leg injury received in the game at York, but should be available again soon, as should also Singe, who has had an attack of the ’flu. FIRST SPELL. Avery, lost the toss for New Zealand, and the Bramley captain elected to play with the assistance of the strong wind. The sun, which burst only fitfully through the clouds, was not a factor in the game. From the kick-off Bramley straight away attacked, and had the visitors defending strenuously for over five minutes. • But the backs, tackling man for man, held the line intact until, as a result of a misunderstanding Parkes and Sanders, as to which of them should fall on the ball and force down, a Bramley man dashed past the two of them to score. The kick at goal succeeded. New Zealand 0, Bramley 5.' This was the score after only five minutes’ play. Spurred by this early reverse, the All Blacks, led by Gardiner and Devine, swept down on the Bramley line in a great forward rush. Within an ace of a try the movement was halted. A Bramley man was penalised for obstruction, and New Zealand had a fruitless attempt at goal. Straightaway Herring and Gardiner led a rush, which was only stopped by the Bramley 'full-back forcing in the nick of time. Not to be outdone this time, Avery secured, and made a great dash and got over, but was. called back for a forward- pass. From this Delgrosso, at half, secured and dodged over.- Gardiner failed with a difficult kick. New Zealand 3, Bramley 5. . New Zealand was handicapped in this, as in all previous games, by the inability of the forwards to secure the ball from the scrums, but when the backs did get it they threw the ball about in great style, and gave a taste of real New Zealand football. To my mind, it is high time the services of someone are secured to impart to the team a practical knowledge of English scrum methods. A short time spent in coaching the boys in this vital department of the game would be of immense benefit. Something should be done and done speedily to remedy this state of affairs. I say candidly that in New Zealand less attention is paid to scrum work than is the case in England; also in New Zealand wo have developed our forward play along different lines. Short, snappy passing from Gardiner to Avery to Devine to Brown gave the speedy Aucklander a chance, and he went over for a neat try, which Gardiner failed to convert, the high wind carrying the ball wide. New Zealand 6, Bramley 5. This was the score fourteen minutes after the kick-off. Soon after, from scrambling forward play on the Bramley line, Herring forced his way over, but the pass had been forward, and he was called back. From the scrum that resulted Avery secured, and, using his weight, went over for a good try, which Gardiner did not convert. New Zealand 9, Bramley 5 (twenty-one minutes’ play). The next incident in the play was a penalty to Bramley against Delgrosso for not putting the ball into the scrum correctly, and Powell put .the ball over. New Zealand 9, Bramley 7. Sanders and Brown raced away for a try, but Browri was forced out. From an “ up-and-under ” New Zealand was in difficulties, and the ever-rcliable Gregory saved brilliantly when a try seemed certain. Five successive scrums then took place on our line, to be relieved at long last by Brisbane, who secured, and, cutting in nicely, set off up field with Desmond in _ attendance. When grassed the latter in-passed to Avery, who could have dition he had three men outside waiting a pass, it never came. Seeing a man dressed in black at his side, Avery passed. The whistle went. The bail was “ dead.” Avery had passed to the referee, who was garbed in black blazer and black shorts and stockings. New Zealand had lost a certain try. Soon after Mason kicked a brilliant penalty goal. New Zealand 11, Bramley 7. Desultory play followed for some time, until Brown gathered the ball. in his stride and raced half the length of the field to score a try, which Mason could not convert. New Zealand 14, Bramley 7. SECOND HALF. When this half commenced it was noticed that the referee had changed his black blazer for a black-and-white striped jersey. New Zealand went quickly to work, and, following good play and handling by the inside backs, Brisbane received, and raced "for the line with Parkes, to see the latter go over for a fine try under the posts. Delgrosso made no mistake. New Zealand 19, Bramley 7: Using the favoring wind of this half to advantage. New Zealand continued to press, and the Bramley backs and forwards had a stern time in the face of the waves of the New Zealand attacks. Time and time again Bramley, fighting a losing game, pluckily turned defence into attack, and often had the opposing backs out of position and puzzled bv short punts over their heads. This latter move is a feature of the play of all English backs, and finds the weakness of our system of five-eighth play on defence. Then followed play in which Gardiner was conspicuous for fine play in the forwards. Next Avery, Devine, Parkes, and Sanders handled the ball in a brilliant movement which saw Sanders race over on the wing for a good try. Mason failed with the difficult kick. New Zealand 22, Bramley 7. Though now our men were having the better of the game, nevertheless’ Bramley did not let up for a moment. But from this stage there was no denying the brilliancy of the New Zealand attacking movements. The backs handled well the greasy ball and tackled well. In turn Parkes and Desmond (2) scored for New Zealand, and Gardiner and Gregory converted one each, making the scores at the call of time New Zealand 35, Bramley 12, for Bramley had scored and converted a try. A few minutes before the end of the game Delgrosso retired hurt, and a minute later the Bramley half was carried off, suffering from concussion. Thus both teams were minus their half-backs. Brown went half for New Zealand for the few minutes that remained, the other backs moving up and playing short in the backs. •

GAME AGAINST HULL HARROGATE, October 17. , Ideal weather favored the meeting yesterday afternoon of the team agamst Hull on the Boulevard Ground. The attendance totalled 16,000, and the gate receipts were ovpr £B6O. Amongst the most interested of the spectators was Rev. Father McCarthy, late of bt. Bede’s College, Christchurch, who, it will be remembered, represented -New Zealand at half-hack in the Rugby Union code in 1933, against the New South Wales team in Christchurch. FIRST SPELL. Hull turned out, in all-white jerseys and pants, a distinct contrast to the, sombre black uniform of our men. Hull, won the toss and took advantage afforded by the light breeze that was blowing. Mason kicked off for New Zealand, and the visitors eet up a strong attack. In the first minute Gardiner tried a penalty shot from a difficult angle, but the kick failed. The fame continued for some time in the lull territory, until the latter relieved the, pressure with a grand passing rush, i and sent New Zealand back. The game was now being played with great keenness. Gregory was next prominent with a clever piece of fielding, the result of which saw the game settle down in midfield. Then Smallwood and Beasty, for Hull, figured in a passing rush that was stemmed by the determined tackling of our backs. Hull opened their scoring account after ten minutes’ play. The Hull centre secured, and, cutting in nicely, sent on to Gwynne, who eluded Sanders on the wing and .went over for a try that was converted by Bateson. New Zealand, 0: Hull, 5. At this stage the visitors’ forwards were playing a sterling game, and did not let up for a moment. Thanks to the remarkable fielding of the leather by Gregory, they were saved much useless running about. The robust tackling of the inside backs especially, saved Hull from having their line crossed. But. with wind and sun in their favor, Hull was i taking desperate attempts to increase their lead, but their efforts were in vain. With New Zealand hotly attacking near the Hull line Davidson, ffom a passing rush that had the crowd on its feet with excitement, unfortunately knocked-on with the line at his mercy- and a sure try was lost. Shortly after, from a. penalty for obstruction. Gregory kicked a neat goal. New Zealand, 2; Hull, 5. The game continued to be most exciting, Davidson and Desmond ■ delighting the spectators with their handling and their bursts of speed, often carrying play many yards down field. Gregory earned some well-de-served applause next for a remarkable save from the feet of the bustling Hull pack. By clever passing and repassing Brown and Hall set New Zealand on the attack, but the Hull full-back proved an obstacle by reason of his line-kicking, which drove New Zealand back frequently. Following a fierce melee, in which Taylor was thrown out on the touch line at the half-way line, one of the Hull forwards had to receive attention for an injury. He resumed later. Next, Devine got over from a great rush, but was called back, as he had grabbed the ball from the Hull man who was about to play it. Again Hall returned to the attack, and Taylor, who played against New Zealand at Wigan in the first test match, dribbled the ball many yards. He went over with the ball at his toe, but, before he could touch down, Desmond came up in brilliant fashion and saved a sure try by kicking over the dead-ball line. Brisbane at this stage was playing one of the best games 1 have seen him play so far. His tackling was very good and, in this respect, lie was doing the work of two men. Hall worked the blind side of a scrum and gave to Davidson to Sanders, to see the last-named race for the line at top speed. Within a few inches of a try he was grassed. For the five minutes that remained till half-time New Zealand was on the attack. Brilliant passing rushes, wherein every back participated, kept the Hull men thinking. A little more finish to these attacks and New Zealand would have increased the score considerably, but half-time came with the scores still Now Zealand, 2; Hull 5. SECOND HALF. From the start of the second half Hull made, great efforts to pile up a load. Play was fast and furious, though quite clean Henry’s jersey was a wreck, being nearly torn from his back. A Hull forward, Smallwood, next retired injured. ' His collarbone was broken. Play surged to our line, and only determined tackling by Brisbane, Mall, and Desmond saved the day. Gregory thrilled the spectators by taking the ball on the full in the face of the fast-following Hull forwards, and thus extricating Now Zealand from an awkward position. Then from what appeared to me to be a distinctly forward pass, Hull scored from a passing rush on the wing. Instead of playing to the whistle Davidson and Desmond made the mistake of awaiting the result of an appeal to the referee. Bateson failed with the kick, and the scores were now: New Zealand, 2, Hull, 8. In such a game as this, played throughout at a very fast clip, and with no beg pardons, such a lead would have disheartened many teams. But not so with the visitors. A penalty kick to Hull, in their twenty-five, hit Brisbane, who gathered well, and in a flash he put on speed and went over lor a fine try, with Hall backing up well. Gregory converted easily, making the scores read; New Zealand, 7; Hull, 8. With hut one point between the scores, play now became keener than before. To counter the New Zealand rushes, Hull made some positional changes in their team, the full-back going to centre and the centre and one of tho wing men changing places. Having got so near, the New Zealanders redoubled their efforts. The scrums resulted in the men getting a fair share of the ball, and this meant giving the backs a chance to do something in the way of spectacular play. There was an “all-in” attack, with every man of the New Zealand backs handling the ball in a rush that left Hull guessing. From Hall to Davidson to Brown to Desmond saw the lastnamed secure and flash over for the best try of the day, amidst tumultuous cheering. Gregory failed with the kick, and we had now established a lead, with the scores; New Zealand, 10; Hull, 8. Hull came downfield from the kickoff, and Gregory again put in some brilliant work at the difficult game of “rush stopping.” Brisbane was injured, and wont off for several minutes, returning after attention on the touchline. He and Brown next got away in a fine rush that was only pulled up by a knock-on. With but fifteen minutes to go both teams were making desperate assaults at goal to create football history. Hull had not yet been beaten in thirty-five consecutive games—that is, since the season of 1924-25. New Zealand was determined to break this remarkable sequence of victories, and to win another game, the eleventh of the tour. Gregory was playing at the top of his form, and time after time he saved New Zealand by his pluck and uncanny accuracy in picking up and fielding the leather from the very feet of the hefty Hull forwards. With ten minutes to go, Hull made a great effort, and a terrific forward raid resulted in Beasty going over, amidst scenes of indescribable excitement. Bateson converted with a good kick. New Zealand 10, Hull 13. Not to be robbed of victory, Avery, Gardiner, and Mason came away in a rush that had Hull busily defending. Following a good run by Herring, Sanders was nearly ever, but the ultimate transfer was ruled forward, and a scrum resulted. The All Blacks, with dogged determination, kept up the pressure, and once Henry went over and

fairly grounded the ball, with several Hull men round his neck. But it was not to bo. For some reason or other tho referee ruled that she had not grounded tho leather, and a scrum was ordered In my opinion it was a fair try. From the scrum Hall secured, and gave to Brown, to Desmond on the blind side. Desmond got over, but was called back for a knock-on. Play was getting tremendously exciting, with but a few short minutes to go. At this stage no less than eight successive scrums were ordered almost on the Hull line. The significant point I noted about these scrums was that the visitors secured the ball from every one of the eight. Hall could not get over, so keen was the tackling of the HuU men, who were fighting fiercely to maintain their line intact and.thus win tho game. Henry’s jersey was now no longer a jersey. It was gracefully draped about his neck. From a great piece of play Brown nearly got over. Next both Mason and Gardiner tried to hurl themselves over, but faded. The tackling of both teams was domon-like in its fierceness at this stage, with barely a minute to go. From the eighth scrum Hall again secured, and, with an eellike wriggle, he went over, amidst the cheers from the spectators. With the scores now even, 13 points all, Gregory, amidst a breathless hush, took the kick that was to win the game for New Zealand or make it a draw'. Froxn a difficult angle he put the ball over with an excellent kick, and New Zealand had won. The whistle blew immediately after the kick, with the scores: New Zealand 15, Hull 13. Three New Zealand teams have visited Hull before. In 1888, on October 23, the New Zealand Native team, playing under Rugby Union rules, met Hull, and were defeated by one try and 3 minor points to 4 minor points, at the ground at Holderness road. Again the same team, on March 23, 1889, suffered defeat by Hull by 1 try 4 minor points to 1 try 3 minor points. Then, in 1907, on November 16, Baskerville’s team from New Zealand, playing under League rules, met and defeated a Hull team by 18 points to 13. Now, in 1926, the present New Zealand League All Blacks have, added another victory by defeating Hull at tho Boulevard Ground.