RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 19449, 6 January 1927, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE

HEW ZEALAND TEAM'S TOUR WIGAN HIGHFIELD BEATEN [From Ouk Correspondent] HARROGATE, November 13. Commencing what might be called the second half of the tour, the All Blacks yesterday recorded a convincing win at the Tunstall Lane Ground, Wigan, when, by a margin of 12 points, they outclassed the Wigan Highfield Club. They thus maintained their unbeaten record for Wednesday matches. Wigan Highfield is regarded as one of the strongest League clubs this season, and the conditions prevailing yesterday for the match would bo accepted as more favorable to them than to the All Blacks. It was fiue during the match, but it had rained heavily all the previous day and throughout the morning of the clay of the game. The heavy rain made- the ground tremendously heavy. As a result, the ball soon became very heavy and difficult to hold and to handle. It was noteworthy that the All Blacks’ pack was composed of six of the seven forwards who had been out of the matches for some time. They came out of a gruelling ordeal well, their stamina being severely tested. The last two games __ should havo put them in fine condition for future games. Mouat captained the All Blacks, and won the toss, but there was scarcely any advantage ni wind to bo gained. There was no sun. FIRST SPELL. Almost immediately after the kick-oil Blinkhorn, on the wing, was injured in tackling Gardiner, the big Ifist Maori, on the wing tor the All Blacks. Ho had to leave the field lor attention, hut resumed later. From scrambling play near our line Henry got off-side, and Fairhurst just missed with the resultant penalty kick. Dully and Kinvan, combining well, broke through, and took play to the hallway. Then Alouat secured from a scrum in the Highfield “25,” and carried on till grassed. Another scrum took place right, on the Highfield line, only to see Ilighfieid clear from an awkward position. Following on this, Dufty saved a rush, am! Gardiner received and raced down the touch-line. Brisbane failed to .hold tho greasy ball in a transfer, and a good chance wa.s lost. Then tor some time the Highfield pack, well Jed by Fairhurst and Mann, pressed hotly, and Dufty came out of the ordeal with (lying colors. The tackling of all our backs showed a groat improvement, and Highfield was robbed of many chances by stern tackling. Desmond caught the full-back in possession, and a try looked likely. Then Dufty took a penalty, hut failed to make the heavy hall rise. Soon after lie had another attempt, but failed again. Kirwan and Sanders were associated in a race along the line, and brought off a perfect “scissors pass,” to see Sanders dash ahead. On being tackled Sanders gave to Brisbane, who carried on. The hall travelled out to Gardiner, on (ho wing, to see tho bnr*y .Maori go over tor a line try. Dufty Jailed with Iho kick, and twenty-two minutes after the start of the game the scores read; Few Zealand 3, Wigan Highlidd 0. At this stage Peterson and .Mouat were prominent in tight forward nark. Tho passing and repasong amongst I lie New Zealand hacks was both excellent ami spectacular, tho hail being thrown about freely. Thero were very lew eases, of mishandling, despite the greasy hall and the shocking conditions underfoot. Both in the tight and in tho Joo.se the pack of tho All Blacks had the bettor of tho play. Webb, for his third game of the 'tour, wa.s playing an enterprising game. Once he badly fooled the .defence and shot through to nearly under the posts, and was then robbed of a try by being grassed. Kinvan startled tJic“ Jiighlield men by several hursts. Just before half-lime Brisbane raced through the defence, and gained fully 3Uyds m a great sprint. There wa.s no further score, and hali-tmie came with (he. scores; Few Zealand 3, Wigan Jhghiicld U. SECOND BIMOLL. Bight from the kick-off (he All Blacks showed that I hey meant business, and i tressed Highfield holly. Mount .had a penalty Inch from fully 3(lyds away, and niKsed badly. Then Highfield asserted themselves, and a rush had flic AH Blacks defending. Desmond and Singe relieved a dangerous situation smartly. Sanders put in some hard defensive work on 1 1 is wing. Osier wa.s nearly over in (he corner, hut Sanders tackled well. Then Fairburst had a. penalty khk for obstruction, hut failed from a. good position. Kirwan got off-side and Oshahiosiin, taking tho penalty pick, succeeded in putting the leather over, and the scores read: New Zealand 3, Wigan Highfield 2, after thirteen minutes’ play. A Highfield man got off-side, and a scrum look place syds from the Highfield line. Alouat secured, and was almost over. Ho fell and lost posses, sion. Webb had hard luck in coming second to a Highfield man by inches in a race for the hall, wliii h had rolled over the Highfield line. Thrilling play was the order of tho day. Neither set of forwards let up in a gruelling contest, made the harder by* the ocean of mud. Singe, who'was playing a. hard, hustling game, came away with the hall at his feet, and dribbled many yards. The next was a sensational movement, that gave tin; All Blacks another try. In midfield Desmond picked up smartly, and sot off for the corner flag. On rear (ring the fullback, Oshaldestin, Desmond kicked over tlie latter’s head, raced around him, and secured, hut lost possession over tho line before ),o could ground the hall. Gardiner, however, came up smartly and touched down. All Blacks 6, Wigan Highfield 2, after twenty minutes’ play. Next Devine and Sanders headed a rush that had Highfield busily defending, and with Carroll and Henry prominent, play was now in the Highfield twenty-five. Here Kirwan gave a low pass to Desmond. The latter failed to secure, hut, dribbling nicely, he went over for a fine try. Gardiner failed with tho kick, and the_ scores were: New Zealand 9, Wigan Highfield 2, after twenty-five minutes’ play. Devine continued to secure the hall from the scrums, and Webb set the backs in motion time an I again, with Brisbane and Kirwan shining always. Wobb next dashed ahead in groat style, but lost the ball. Singe, Henry, and Petersen were associated in some good forward work in the* loose, howling tho Highfield men off their feel. Carroll, Devine, and Mount were more noticeable in the gruelling tight play that was a feature of this stage of the, game. Oshaldestin, at full-back', misfielded the greasy hall, to see Devin' l brush him aside and pick- up. He sprinted for the line, and (hen scut on to Carroll, who went over. The Iry was converted by Alouat, and the, scores were now: New Zealand 14, Wigan Highfield 2. With a short six minutes till time, Highfield revived, and some strenuous forward work took place. The AH Blacks more than hold their own, and soon drove the AT ignnors hack. A fete ami spectacular gauio ended soon after with (ho All Blacks attacking and the scores; New Zealand 14, Wigan Highfield 2.

The All Tilnrk forwards were seen to bettor advantage in ibis game than in a great many of the previous games. They got more than their share of the half in the scrummages, especially in the second half. This is a tribute to the hooking of Devine and to the fact that the pack packed tighter and lower than before. Certainly there was no slackening of effort, and the backs benefited accordingly*