RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 19438, 22 December 1926, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE

HEW ZEALAND TEAM'S TOUR SALFORD BEATEN BY 8 POINTS [From Our Correspondent ] HARROGATE, November 4. Our departure from Harrogate was taken in a downpour of rain, which ceased shortly alter our arrival in Manchester. The rain, however, had the effect of making the ground on which the team’played very wot and slippery. Tn addition, a fairly thick fog tendered to make matters worse. This fog, in the later stages of the game, partially obscured the players on the field, ftps interesting to note that, included in the Salford team, was an ex-Rugby Union player of note. I refer to Gore. This player represented Wales in many international games. He, moreover, played against the last Now Zealand Rugby Union team to visit England. He captained the Salford team to-day. New Zealand won tho toss, but there was no advantage of sun or wind to be gained. From tho kick-off tho All Blacks set up a determined attack. Following a fine piece of work amongst Dufty, Hall, Brisbane, and Kirwan, which saw the latter gain much ground, Salford was kept guessing for a long time, Tho backs took play to the Salford lino per medium of short kicks to the touch line. But with his line in danger the Salford full-back, Clegg, saved well, and play was now centred at tho halfway lino for some time. Brown made a heady opening, to send on to Mason, to Brisbane, but Southward intercepted a pass and tho move broke down. A bout of passing and repassing amongst Kirwan, Thomas, and Barites took play back to the Salford line. Here Salford / were awarded a penalty kick. The kick found Dufty badly out of position, but Delgrosso retrieved well in a great sprint with a Salford man for the ball. Sienzies figured prominently in a fine piece of dribbling work that saw play swing back to Salford’s twenty-livo. But not for long, for soon by snappy passing Salford bustling our men back and subsequent play, saw tho All Blacks busily defending. Dufty here pub in a huge kick from inside his twenty-five, to within a yard of the Salford dead-hall line, a feat which amazed the large crowd of over 3,000 people present at the game. Next Dufty failed in a handy position with a penalty kick. Immediately after, from almost the. same position, he had another attempt, and this time ho made no mistake. New Zealand 2, Salford 0, after twenty minutes’ play. The hefty Salford pack then took charge and swept down the field, but Hall secured, and took play to tho halfway again. Here Hall was again the hero of some brilliant tackling, nullifying the Salford efforts to transfer play to our territory. The first try was initiated by .Brown. This player picked up neatly and raced away to give to Kirwan, who raced down the line, with Sanders. Kirwan passed to Sanders before being grassed, to see Sanders go over for a try, which Duffy failed to convert. New Zealand’ 5, Salford 0, after 25min play. Mason, Menzies, and Gardiner were playing a forceful forward game at this stage, and their efforts wero stemminig the Salford men well. Salford took a penalty in front of the posts, but Burgess failed dismally with the kick. Then Meek, the Salford half, secured. Giving the “dummy” to several of tho backs, he went' away, and the situation was only saved by a grand tackle by Dufty. Hall was playing a great game at half-back, his tackling being splendid. Brown was prominent in a bout of tackling with the opposing winger, Boyd, and Brown camo.off tho better. From inside our half Salford had an attempt at goal, but the kick failed, and half-time came with the score still New Zealand 5, Salford 0. SECOND HALF. When this half opened two changes had been made in the team. Hall, from half-back, wont to first five-eighth, Delgrosso coming in to half-back. Tho opening was sensational. Gardiner picked up and dashed ahead. The big 16st Maori made a great fending run before giving to Hall, who was grassed by Meet. This player was, throughout the game, a thorn in the side of tho All Blacks. Ho and Price and two other Salford hacks then took the leather to our line, assisted by the weak tackling of our hacks. Six minutes after the start Meek grounded tho ball over our line for Burgess to convert, making the scores road: New Zealand 5, Salford 5. Play was for some time in midfield. Brown on tho wing secured and passed to Gardiner, to Mason, to Delgrosso. The last named went over under the posts in one of tho best tries I have seen scored on tho tour. Dufty made no mistake with the kick; and tho scores read: New Zealand 10, Salford o, eight minutes after tho start of tho half. The light was by now very had, a blanket-like mist partially obscuring the players. A Salford player, from a tussle in the forwards, retired for attention on tho side-lino, but resumed immediately. Gardiner again earned play to tho Salford line in a thrilling run. He handed to Kirwan, hut tho latter’s pass back to Brisbane was intercepted by the irrepressible Meek, who belied his name. Goro led a great Salford rush to oyds of our line. Stern tackling, a great improvement on the display in the first half, kept Salford out. The All Blades wore playing bright, open football, reproducing tho game that is so appreciated in New Zea land. Tho ball was being thrown about freely amongst both backs and forwards in a manner that had Salford guessing. Then Hall cleverly secured at the feet of a Salford forwards rush. Tho ball went from Hall to Mason, to Gardiner, and the three Maori representatives galloped through the Salford defence in an irresistible rush, leaving the defence paralysed. Gardiner touched down for a fine try in the corner. Dufty failed with the kick. New Zealand 13, Salford 5, after 19min play. Four Salford men caused great amusement by attempting to pull down the hefty Dufty a.s the latter was stemming a Salford rush, Dufty cleared from aa awkward position by one of his well-known powerful kicks to touch. From mid-field play Delgrosso secured and gave to Dufty, who had come up at a fast clip. Dufty accepted the pass, and raced fully 3oyds to score a -magnificent try, which ho converted himself. New Zealand 18, Salford 5, after twentr-sevch minutes’ play. I New Zealand seemed intent upon increasing the score, but Salford made no more mistakes in tho tackling department. The Salford pack, playing a fine game, rushed play to the visitors’ territory, and a passing bout in the backs resulted in Goro bollocking his way over for a try, which Southward converted, making the scores read; New Zealand 18,_ Salford 10, with but seven minutes till tho final whistle. Heartened by tho closeness of the scores, Salford made desperate efforts to win, but the defence of the All Blacks stood the tost well. Brown turned defence into attack. Tho hall travelled from Brown to Brisbane to Menzies, right across , tho field from wing to wing. Menzies got over tho Salford line from this brilliant movemen*, but was called back for an infringement, and a scrum was ordered. With but two minutes to go New Zealand; was attacking fiercely, but tho whistle went for -full time to end a splendid game, with the scores: New Zealand 18, Salford 10. In this game our forwards did not shinU With the' exception of Thomas, who I was the best forward on the ground, they seemed to forget about following up. This lack of energy can truthfully be put down in large part to an epidemic of colds from which many of jhe party are suffering.

THE HUDDERSFIELD MATCH HARROGATE, November 7. Well over 6,000 people cheered heartily as the All Blacks walked on thefield. The gate receipts wereahotit £4OO, a very good figure, which would have been much larger but for the vile weather. To protect the ground from frost and rain straw had been strewn over part of the field during the night and morning. From the start the All Blacks made the pace. Play was rushed to the Huddersfield territory, and for well over 6min the All Blacks had far the better of the game. A ruling which has been very seldom given so far in the tour was given against a Huddersfield man. In a scrum middle man had attempted to “swing ” on his knees. He was promptly and properly penalised. Dufty bad an attempt at goal from just inside the Huddersfield halfway, but failed. , The All Blacks continued to have tho better of the garne,_ and penned their opponents in their twenty-five. The Huddersfield men, however, wore playing well. They were a fairly hefty combination both hack and_ forward, though perhaps their striking-looking jerseys of narrow claret and gold hoops made thorn look bigger than was really the case. A greasy ball and the wetness of the ground underfoot made for dropped passes and spoiled many of the attacks. Parkes, in tho position of hooker ; was securing the ball fairly often from scrums, and thus enabling our backs to initiate typical New Zealand passing rushes. Kirwan, at second five-eighth, was prominent in a good run, juggling tlm ball for several yards at his finger tips. Conspicuous in the Huddersfield pack was Bryn Phillips, an ex-Rugby Union Welsh international of last Season. This player led a great assault on the Now Zealand line, and for some time our men were defending pluckily. Brisbane saved cleverly from an “up-nntl-i under.” Then a Huddersfield back I tried to hurdle Hall, who'hrought him down in a hectic tackle. The Huddersfield man was “ out ” for some seconds as a result. Play then settled down at the halfway mark. The New Zealand backsj time after time, failed to round oil their efforts owing to mishandling of the slippery hall. The Huddersfield backs attempted a round of passing, but the All Blacks tackled smartly and well, and Walker on the wing could not go far. Next Walker was again prominent for Huddersfield. Ho received on the wing. The team’s crack “flyer” flashed down the wing, fending o'ff a rather weak tackle by Sanders. Dufty, thinking Walker had stepped into touch, stood still and let Walker go over for a real “gift” try. Walmsley converted, and after thirtyone minutes tho scores read New Zealand 0. Huddersfield 5. A few minutes later tho crowd was thrilled to see Watts, on the wing, outpace Brown to go over for a fine try, which Cracknelf failed to improve. New Zealand 0, Huddersfield 8, after . thirty-three minutes’ play. Huddersfield were now playing_ a vastly improved game. Their inside hacks frequently fooled our defence by their quick passing, and occasionally bv the ever useful “dummy.” Again, Walker went over, but luckily he bounced the ball instead of touching it down, and New Zealand breathed again. Then a change came over the play. Brown received; and cutting in, he raced ahead to give to Avery to Menzics, hack to Brown, who went over. However, ho was called hack for a forward pass. Soon after Hall slipped in a scoring position -whoa a. few feet off the line. From tho scrum Hall got over, but another scrum was ordered. From this Huddorsaeld secured. The first five-eighth fumbled; Menzies snapped up, dropped tho ball, and fell. Coming seemingly from nowhere, Kirwan flashed up to secure and go over for the best try of the day, with several Huddersfield men about his neck. Dufty failed with the kick, and halftime came immediately with the scores Now Zealand 0, Huddersfield 8. SECOND HALF. Tho second half was full of bright, open p'ay, and the crowd was hugely pleased at the tactics of both teams. From play in our twenty-five Brisbane and Kirwan took tho leather to halfway. From a penalty hero Dufty put in a splendid kick to touch at the Huddersfield line. Then Dufty had a penalty shot at goal. Tho ball touched the posts, and bounced back into play, and thus two points Avero lost to tho All Blacks. Those two points meant much to New Zealand, and would have given them a draw instead of a defeat. The All Blacks continued to throw the ball about. Consistent hacking up might have enabled us to equalise, but Brisbane lacked the necessary support in a good run. Our men took full advantage of some misdirected passing by the Huddersfield hacks, and several times were nearly over. Knock-ons wore all too frequent at this stage. Then Dufty was awarded a penalty kick, this time the ball went over. New Zealand 5, Huddersfield 8, after seven minutes’ play. Stung by this, Huddersfield in a few minutes scored again, this time from, a penalty kick in front of our posts. Walmsley put tho hall over, making the score read; New Zealand 6, Huddersfield 10. There was a tendency for the tackling to become very rough, for both sides were playing determined football. Avery was penalised for off-side play, and AValmsley made no mistake; but he was lucky! Tho hall hit the crossbar and rolled over. New Zealand 5, Huddersfield 12. From inside halfway Herring dribbled to halfway, where he picked up, and outpaced the opposing wing to run round and score behind the posts for Dufty to convert. New Zealand 10, I Indderscld 12, after 23 minutes’ play. Tho All Blacks now set off afresh to pull the game out of the fire. Both backs and forwards put plenty of vim into their work. From a, rather severe tackle, in which ho was thrown into touch. Hall suffered an injury. Ho dislocated his collarbone and had to leave the field with eighteen minutes to go. Brown, from wing, went to half-hack; Thomas left the pack and went to the wing. Mason and Herring were next prominent in a rush that had the Huddersfield full-back in a tight corner for a time. Tho visitors were not now getting tho hall very often from tho scrum, and, as in other games of tho tour, the backs were handicapped. Too many dropped passes and the scrum weakness mentioned above were tho undoing. In the last minute of tho game Dufty took a penalty kick 20yds in front of the Huddersfield posts, but ho missed, and the game ended immediately after with the scores: New Zealand 10, Huddersfield 12. THE SECOND TEST GREASY BALL HAMPERS PLAY. HARROGATE, November 14. The appearance of the All Blacks at the famous Boulevard Ground at Hull yesterday, on the occasion of the second test match v. England, was invested with special interest. The great rally of New Zealand in tho first test in the second half was well remembered, and great hopes were entertained that the visitors would pull off a victory, and thus leave tho decision of the rubber to tho final test at Leeds in January. Whilst the English critics favored England, New Zealand’s chances were not lightly passed over. England turned out as selected, but New Zealand had a notable absentee in Davidson, one of tho most consistent of tho backs. The fair-haired Aucklander had been selected to play, but at tho last moment it was found that ho had not quite sufficiently recovered from an injury to his anldo received in a game a week or two previously to play that day. Colo took his, place." There were many changes in both teams compared with the teams that took the field for tho first test. The New Zealand forward lino was practically Reorganised. Aivine came in as “hooka/,” and Peterses §nd Singe

occupied tho second row positions. Rain had, fallen all the morning, making conditions very unpleasant. This, combined with tho effects of the coal strike and tho industrial depression through which England is passing, led to the ground filling up very slowly, and when tho .teams took the field about 10,000 spectators were present. The gate receipts amounted to just under £6OO, The teams took thefield as under:— England (all white, with a red rose) — Sullivan (Wigan), Wallace (St. Helens), Evans (Swinton), Carr (Barrow), Rix (Oldham), Parkin (captain, Wakefield), Fairclough (St. Helens), Burgess (Barrow), Smith (Bradford), Bowman (Hull), Fildes (St. Helens), Thomas (Leeds), and Gallagher (Bailor). New Zealand—Gregory (fullback), Brown, Cole, Kirwan, Dufty (wing three-quarters), Brisbane (stand off half), Delgrosso (half-back); forwards—Herring, Devine, and Henry (front row), Peterson and . Singe (second row.), and Avery (captain,‘ loose forward). It will be noticed - that Dufty in this game was played on the wing", a change from his usual position as full-back. • Tho All Blacks-for this game adopted tho usual English formation of four three-quarter hacks, and results fully justified the change. The referee was Air R. Jones (of Wigan). FIRST SPELL. Avery lost the toss, and New Zealand had to play with a blinding rain in their-faces and against a bitterly cold wind. The kick-off was taken in a pouring rain that continued till the commencement of the second half. In the second half tho rain fell in intermittent showers. From the kick-off the All Blacks jumped to the attack. England'gained possession from the early scrummages, but nothing daunted, the All Blacks managed to got ahead in the first few minutes as the result of a sensational mud splendid passing bout, in which several of the forwards participated. Peterson set the pace, to see Devine and Henry join in tho movement, the ball travelling through their hands till Peterson forced /.is way over in typical Peterson style, to score a fine try. Dufty failed to improve with the kiok, and the score read: Now Zealand 3, England 0 after three minutes’ play. Sullivan sent the All Blacks baeir with a fine kick, and Rix on the right wing picked up smartly and gave to Wallace, on the left wing, after a great dash across the field. Showing a, iiie turn of speed, Wallace went over in the corner and made the scores loyal after six minutes’ play. Sullivan tailed with a difficult kick, and the read: New Zealand 3, England 3. Though gaining the ball from several scrums, England could not make much headway, for the tackling of the All Blacks was proving better than has been tho ease in many pievions gamee. Herring dribbled tlirough in fine style, but the ever-ready Parkin, the English captain and half-back, saved. None of the English players were showing up better than Parkin and Sullivan. After failing from one penalty Sullivan soon after had another attempt, and this time put the leather over, and after thirteen minutes’ play the scores were:—New Zealand 3, England 5. d Sullivan put in a magnificent kick, fully three-quarters of the field to touch, barely syds from the All Blacks’ line, finding Gregory standing too for upfield. Brisbane electrified the crowd by breaking through and carrying play to tho English twenty-five. He beat all the opposition and gave to Dufty. Tho latter had but to accept tho final pass from Brisbane to make sure of a try, with no one in front of him. Ho dropped tho pass, and the chance was lost. Dufty made amends by counteracting Sullivan’s genius by effective touch finding which helped tho All Blacks considerably. Both Singe and Peterson, who were playing their first game for some considerable time, were playing great games, their tackling being deadly. Peterson shone especially by ’ excellent following up that had Sullivan bustled time after time. With the strong wind in their favor England had not mane very much progress, for the All Blacks, out to win, were playing vigorous football, and lotting nothing past them. Tho ball was wet and slippery, and tho ground by now was a sea of mud, making it difficult for the players to keep their feet. Singe next headed a forward rush, and gave to Brisbane, who sent Dufty away. After an exciting run the last named was bumped into tench by Rix. The All Blacks hotly attacked, and England was only saved by Rix being penalised lor a knoek-ou. Then England came away as, Gallagher having marked, Rix and Fildes handled for the latter to score an unconverted try after thirtythree minutes’ play, and the scores were now:—New Zealand 3, England 8. Henry, Herring, and Peterson led New Zealand down field, whore Sullivan saved from an awkward position just in time. Kirwan was next associated with Dufty in a good dash to tho halfway, and gained much ground for the All Blacks. Play was very fast and oxciting and of a very high standard. There wore very few free kicks throughout the game. Play, though very vigorous, was - at the same time clean and played in. the best of spirit. Before tho half-time interval came England increased tho lead. Evans, centre three-quarter, started a passing rush that had the All Blacks puzzled, and after five of tho English backs had handled, a forward, Thomas, got over from a scramble on the line. New Zealand 3, England 13, after thirtyseven minutes. Sullivan had converted the try. Tho All Blacks were doing well desupite the severe handicap of a blinding rain and a driving wind, and appeared favorites lor tho second half. With a great burst of speed Devine and Avery look play to the English territory, but weio met by stern tackling, and the move broke down. Despite repeated attacks led by Peterson, the English line remained intact, and half-time came as a very welcome relief to all the players, with tho scores: New Zealand 3, England 13. SECOND HALF. The second half opened _ as sensationally as had the first had. A lorward rush, headed by and Avery and Devine, saw Singe pick up in fine style and send a pass to Brisbane. The last named, in a characteristic burst, paved the way for a try. He sent on to Avery, who applied the finishing touch by scoring a fine try. Dufty failed to lift the wet hall, and two minutes from the start of the half tho scores were: New Zealand 6, England 13, Play for a spell was in tno All Blacks’ quarters, where the elusive and very fast English backs found their opponents on their metal. The Englishmen were met by stern defence from Gregory and Brisbane especially. A powerful kick by Singe eventually gave the All Blacks a change of ground to tho English twenty-live. Hero Gregory took a penalty kick for obstruction and put over the ball with an excellent kick. Now Zetland 8. England 13, after twelve minutes play. In brilliant and clever lamion, Brown, coming up fast, forced Sullivan to kick hack and find touch a few yards from his own line. The All Blacks wex - e now playing the game of their lives, and the forward play was fast, not to say iurious. Brown next set up an attack from a brilliant cross-kick to Brisbane, who sent on to Henry and Peterson, only to see the last-named grassed. In startling fashion Delgrosso broke through from a scrum on the twenty-five, and was only stopped by a fine tackle by Sullivan. At this stage New Zealand wag getting much more of the hall than was the case in the first half, and our backs made tho most of their opportunities. Cole and Kirwan were nutting in some great work on attack, and England’s inside backs, brilliant as they undoubtedly wore, were sorely tried. The crowd was amused to see Peterson grassed in a good run, but it took three English forwards to send him in the mud. Then was staged a

thrilling incident which should have resulted in the scoring of a try for the All Blacks. A shout went up as Dufty received on the open wing. Instead of going ahead to score a moral try in the corner, he chose to go off at a tangent infield, and ran into the ruck, where ho was grassed. On the other wing the All Blacks again had hard luck, for Brown knocked on when going strongly, and Sullivan obtained from the scrum and found touch in Now Zealand’s twenty-five. Here Rix, wltlp a grand run, almost cleared all opposition, hut was well stopped by Gregory, who continued to press Sullivan closely for fullback honors. With a quarter of an hour to go Kirwan and Cole came through in, brilliant style, heating all opposition. A try was almost sure, indeed, before Kirwan gave to Brown, who cracked on speed to go over in the corner for a lino try. There was great excitement as Dufty took the kick, which just failed, making the scores: New Zealand 11, England 13. With only two points’ lead England’s chances seemed to he slipping, and the crowd was kept at a fever heat of excitement. Sullivan was tackled in possession by Peterson, and it was anybody’s game, with the All Blacks maintaining the pressure. The forwards were packing effectively and causing a lot of trouble to the fast-moving English backs by breaking away and upsetting their rushes. An English forward was injured at this stage, and the already-beaten English forwards were handicapped until Thomas returned after attention on tho line. Both sides now made terriffic efforts to clinch tho argument, and eventually a greasy ball beat Gregory, and, dribbling nicely, Thomas went over to sefre a try. Sullivan failed to convert. New Zealand 11, England 16. , With barely fire minutes to go the All Blacks made a great rally, but tho Englishmen, not to be denied of the hard-fought game, made a bigger one, and Rix was almost over. _ Herring, Avery, and Devine figured in a rush that set-England; thinking. England, made several spirited raids, in which Sullivan, the versatile, took a place in the three-quarter line and made an extra back. However, tackling, in which Gregory, Cole, and Kirwan worked like Trojans, kept them out. Then Parkin, at half, obtained from a scrum. In quick snappy passing the leather travelled along tho lino of the N.Z. OARSMEN AND Q-TOL. Hands or muscles cannot bccorao hardened and stiff when Q-tol is nibbed in before starting rowing. Chafing due to sliding seats is also obviated. Ask the Otago croud t

English, hacks, to sco Fairclough seltie the argument right on time by going over in. the corner for a splendid try which Sullivan converted with a magnificent kick. The game curled immediately after with the scores, in a strcnlycontestod and thrilling game : England 21 New Zealand jl