LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1932, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ENGLAND WINS SECOND TEST SECOND-HALF SUPERIORITY » [PEE PBESjS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 13. England won the second Rugby League Test to-day, beating New Zealand by 25 points to 14. The game took place in the presence of 7000 people. At no stage was the game very exciting, for, although New Zealand started off well, and attacked consistently in the early part of the first spell, the Englishmen still looked, the more dangerous side, and in the second half the}- clearly held the upper hand. At times it almost seemed as if they were taking things easily, for their passing, which was brilliant in flashes, was open, careless and wild. Neither set of forwards showed a great deal of life. The New Zealand pack, in particular, was sluggish. A strong north-east wind blew. It was cold, but the sun shone brightly, and the ground was in good order. The teams were: — England: Full-back, Sullivan; threequarters, Ellaby, Atkinson, Risman, Smiah; five-eighth, Brogden; half, Evans; forwards, Thompson, White, Silcock, Hogdson, Fildes, Horton. New Zealand: Watene; List, Brisbane, Davidson; Hassan, Cooke; Abbott; Stevenson, Campbell, Hutt, Calder, Lawless, Amos. New Zealand won the toss and from the outset England tried to open up the play, but the New Zealanders bustled the backs effectively, so that the English passing movements could not develop. When the New Zealand forwards hooked the ball, and their backs tried passing bouts, the English tackling ’proved too deadly. Cooke, following up a New Zealand kick very fast, caught Sullivan with the ball, and from the ensuing play, the ball was whipped out to Brisbane, who made a good opening, and List topped off the movement with a good try in the corner. Watene’s kick failed. New Zealand 3, England 0. The New Zealanders were smothering the English backs well, the result being that the play was kept very close. Presently, the Englishmen attacked with a series of short rushes. Two such rushes were arrested, but some minutes later, Evans sent Brogden off on a fine corkscrew run, which ended in a try under the posts. The score came after twenty minutes’ play. Sullivan goaled for England. England 5, New Zealand 3.

The New Zealand forwards rushed play speedily into England's territory, and there a free kick was allowed Amos kicked a goal. New Zealand -5. England 5. A bad mistake by Watene gave the Englishmen an easy opening. Smith ran almost to the New Zealand line, and then sent the ball to Atkinson, who scored wide out, unopposed. Sullivan again goaled. England 10, New Zealand 5. Cooke was injured in a collision, and he had to be assisted from the ground, but he later limped back. The Englishmen were breaking through in the centre continuously, but were not getting *ar. Abbott made a good pass to Bris bane, who sent List streaking for the corner to score wide out. Amos goaled. New Zealand 10, England 10. Cooke was hurt again a few min. utes later, and he left the ground, but he returned with his knee heavily bandaged. Amos put New Zealand ahead with a penalty goal. At halftime the.scores were: —New Zealand 12, England 10. The second half opened with long kicking exchanges. From a penalty for a scrum infringement, Amos kicked his foufth goal for New Zealand. New Zealand 14, England 10. England rushed away from the re start. Atkinson ran down the line and centre-kicked. Smith took the ball cleanly, and he scored under the posts. England 15, New Zealand 14. Hodgson was cautioned by the referee and was hooted by a section of the crowd when he showed resentment after being tackled. After a few minutes, the English side set off on a passing rush. The ball was sent to Atkinson, who had Ellaby outside him. Three New Zealand backs went for Ellaby, and Atkinson swerved inside them and scored an easy try. England 20, New Zealand 14. After an interval of desultory play during which some of the crowd began to leave, Brogden and Risman set the backs going. Cooke tackled Risman and then Atkinson, but the movement went on, until Horton raced over and scored wide out. Sullivan goaled. England 25, New Zealand 14. During the rest of the game New Zealand had the territorial advantage, and also scoring chances, but their moves broke down.

THE NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS.

[SPECIAL TO “STAB.”]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 13

As international football, the Test match was distinctly disappointing, and it cannot be. said that the play of either team was inspiring. True, England won and won handsomely, but the absence of brilliant passing rushes among the backs, and concerted forward play, caused the standard to fall considerably below expectations. New Zealand were soundly beaten in all departments, but the margin of defeat might not have been so great had Cooko not been injured. Up till the time he was forced to leave the field tho first time, he had shown glimpses of that form which ahs won him such a reputation. He was particularly fast off the mark, quick to seize an opening, while on defence he was invaluable. His tackling was deadly, while his backing-up helped New Zealand out of many dangerous situations. Cooko was practically useless as an attacking force, once ho was injured. Wateno, tho Nev/ Zealand full-back, gave a great display, and was in no )way inferior, on tho day, to tho great Jim Sullivan. Hid fielding of the ball, while running at top-speed, was superb. His tackling was beyond reproach, being hard and low, and always sure. Watene’s line-kicking was sometimes at fault, but he was no loss a, sinner than Sullivan in this respect. List was easily the better of tho wingers, and showed dash and determination in all his work. His two tries were efforts characteristic of a first-class winger. Davidson, the other winger, did not receive as many opportunities, but was not impressive ini what he did do. Brisbane, the skip-1 per, was disappointing. When playing' at centre in tho first-spell, he made a beautiful opening for List to score New Zealands-first try. but thereafter was not particularly dangerous. His defence was sound, but he showed little initiative, and his handling was not of 1 tho best. Hassan was not a success ! as first live-eighth. Lme and again he allowed Brogden to make openings for his outsiders, and h© appeared to be

too slow in getting to his man to tackle. In the second spell, he played centre, Brisbane coining in to first five-eiglltll. Abbott, at half, played a sound orthodpx game, but was over-shadowed „ by his vis-a-vis, Evans. . His passes from the scrum might have been faster. One of his main faults was his high tackling. On several occasions his speed carried him through to Sullivan, before the latter had got rid of the ball, but on each occasion his attempt at tackling was easily fended-off. CALDER PLAYS WELL. The English forwards were definitely superior to the New Zealanders as a pack, though Calder compared more than favourably with any of ths visitors’ packmen. * The Englishmen had a considerable advantage m weight, and their play in the loose, where they combined well with thenbacks, was much above that of the homesters. Calder stood out among the New Zealanders, and was always to be seen in the thick of the fight. Fast, and a good handler, he was always to the fore in the loose, and he did more than his share in the tight rucking. Lawless and Hutt worked well, but were not consistently in the, picture. Amos gave a good display as. last man down, and was quick to get round the scrums. In the open, his speed and sure handling were assets. His accurate goal-kicking was invaluable as he landed no less than four goals. Campbell, the rake, had an unenviable job, hooking for a mucn lighter pack, but he secured a fair share of the ball. His lack of poundage did not give him much of a chance to shine in the open against the big Englishmen. Stephenson was a hard worker in ,the tight, but seemed to lack dash, as did the New Zealand pack as a whole. England had it “all over” the home forwards towards the end of the match, when the New Zealanders tired perceptibly. The New Zealand team, which met England on Saturday, at Christchurch, was a side totally different from that which played in the first test, and ?t seems that, if success is to be gained in the final test next Saturday, practically another new team will have to take the field. The claims of J. Masters and M. O’Brien, and also J. Dodds, must be advanced, in view of previous performances. Masters would, give that much-needed thrust and dash as one of New Zealand’s inside backs, while Dodds in the role pf first five-eighth, would be invaluable. O’Brien, who, like Masters, was dropped after the first, test, would add dash to the New Zealand pack, and would be an excellent leader with Calder.

BRADSHAW CUP MATCHES.

LEADING TEAMS BEATEN.

In tho Bradshaw Cup competition, which was continued yesterday under favourable conditions, surprise victories were gained by Blackball and Brunner. » Marist travelled to Blackball,, and in a low scoring match, met their first defeat this season. At Taylorville, Runanga were heavily defeated by the Brunner thirteen. As a result of yesterday’s results, a much needed interest in the competition may’ be revived. In -the lower grades, Marist juniors scored a narrow win over Waiuta, and Pirates won from Runanga by default. Marist third grado accounted for Pirates, and in the fourth grade, Runanga and Marist played a drawn match. Results were: Senior. —Blackball 7, Marist 6; Brunner 23, Runanga 8. Junior. —Marist 19, Waiuta 16; Pirates won by default. Thirds. —Marist 19, Pirates 3. Fourths. —Marist 3, Runanga 3. RUNANGA WELL BEATEN. Playing at Taylorville yesterday, Runanga made a; weak stand against Brunner, and were defeated by 23 points to 8. Brunner played well, but Runanga have lost form to a surprising degree, and it is evident that the Runanga players are not giving serious attention to the competition.

Runanga were penalised early, and from a good position, Hunt failed to goal. Masters then broke away, to short kick over the Brunner full-back’s head, but the bounce beat him, and Wooster found the line. Play continued to be uninteresting, with the backs making poor attempt at passing. Brunnei’ forwards then attacked strongly, and Hawkins later picked up from the ruck, to go across at the corner. Hunt missed with the kick. Brunner 3, Runanga 0. Both teams then had a share of the attack but the tackling prevented any score. Hawkins retired, and his place was taken bv Ramsay. Brunner backs then came away, and a pretty movement ended with Becks crossing in a handy 7 position, for Hunt to convert. Brunner 8, Runanga 0. Shortly before half-time Runanga infringed, and Hunt increased the score with a good goal. Brunner 10, Runanga 0. On changing ovei’ play was taken to the Brunner end, when the Runanga backs attacked, but offside play spoilt a good scoring chance. Kitto then picked up, after the Brunner for. wards had taken play upfield, and he cut out the Runanga inside backs to send Becks across. Hunt failed to goal. Brunner 13, Runanga 0. Brunner increased their lead soon after, when Ramsay broke through and scored under the posts, Hunt converting. Brunner 18, Runanga 0. Brunner’s next try was gained by Becks, who intercepted in his own territory, and beat the opposition to score under the posts, converting his try. Brunner 23, Runanga ().• Runanga then took a hand on attack, Masters breaking through, and sending Glenn across at the posts. Masters converted. Runanga 5, Brunnei- 23. Runanga forwards then broke away, and Currie scored, Masters failing with the kick. Runanga 8, Brunner 23. A “highlight” was then supplied by Hallinan and Jack Tallentyre, who decided to settle a. difference, but the referee cut short tho bout, by sending both players to tho side line. Time arrived without, further score.

BLACKBALL AND MARIST. The above teams met at Blackball yesterday, and after an even game the home team won by a narrow margin. There was a large attendance at the game, in which Marist failed to take advantage of their many opportunities and Blackball’s win was thoroughly deserved, as the whole team played splendidly throughout. For Blackball Ware, Dodds, Clark and L. Neilson were prominent, while for Marist, E. O’Brien, Anisy, M. O’Brien and Behan were conspicuous for good play. The teams were: — Marist:—Anisy, Devon port, H. O’Leary, Walsh, Gilbert, E. O’Brien, O’Connor, Behan, Murphy, Restieaux, M. O’Brien, Durning, Scott. Blackball: —Pirrie, Anderson, Ritchie, R. Nelson, Ware, Dodds, J. Neilson, L. Neilson, Delaney, Anderson, Clark, Hodgson, Bailey. Referee: Mr D. Faris. Marist kicked off and Dodds sent

Ware away, the latter kicking to Anisy, who found the line in the Marist 25. Blackball forwards took play to the greens’ line, where they were penalised and Scott kicked out in the Marist 25. Blackball were awarded a free-kick against O’Connor and Anderson kicked a splendid goal from the touch-line. Blackball 2, Marist 0. Burning broke away, but M. O’Brien got offside and Dodds returned play to midfield. J. Neilson received to send Ware and Anderson to the Marist line, where a fine passing bout by the Marist backs ended in the Blackball 25, where Walsh was forced out. A dribbling rush by the Blackball forwards took play to the Marist line, the ball going over the dead line. Gilbert cut through the Blackball backs and Devonport was forced out in the corner. From, the scrum Hodgson took play to Marist end, where Beban forced. The Marist backs were passing freely and E. O’Brien passed to M. O’Brien, the latter being brought down by Pirrie when a try seemed certain. A longkick by Pirrie caught the Marist backs out of position, and Anisy was tackled in possession, Clark’s kicking out at the Marist 25. Half-time sounded with the scores Blackball 2, Marist 0. On resumption Ware was prominent for Blackball, taking play to the green territory, where Clark kicked over the dead line. O’Leary and Walsh placed Marist on the attack, but Bailey intercepted a pass from O’Brien and Ritchie scored under the posts. Dodds converted. Blackball 7, Marist 0. Ware and Dodds headed a Blackball rush to the Marist 25, where a free kick relieved Marist, and Beban ran through to the Blackball line, where O’Connor failed with an easy penalty and Ritchie relieved to midfield. Gilbert, sent E. O’Brien away, the latter cutting out several players, and M. O'Brien scored a good try under the posts. O’Connor missed the easiest of kicks. Blackball 7-, Marist 3. Play was confined to midfield, neither side gaining much advantage until IT. O’Leary received from the end of a passing bout at half way, and after evading several tackles scored a great try wide out. Scott failed to convert. Blackball 7, Marist 6. Devonport received from a kick by Ritchie, and he made a good run, but with only Pirrie to pass and three supports, he threw the ball low and the ball went dead, full time sounding with the scores Blackball 7, Marist 6.

JUNIOR COMPETITION.

MARIST DEFEAT WAIUTA. Flaying at Blackwater yesterday, Marist juniors defeated Waiuta by 19 points to 16, after a. fast and interesting game. i RUNANGA FAIL TO APPEAR. ’ Runanga juniors defaulted to Pirates yesterday. This match was set down for Wingham Park, and a fair crowd had attended, expecting a good contest. Runanga failed to put in an appearance, thereby disappointing the public, and the Pirates players, who were in uniform on the grounds. MARIST THIRD GRADE WIN. At Wingham Park yesterday, Marist and Pirates third graders'provided an interesting match. Marist won by 19 points to 3, but play was of an even nature. Marist finished off their movements effectively, while Pirates, although threatening danger on several occasions, were unable to drive home their attack, erase (2), Pollock, Lord and Carter crossed the line for Marist, Greaney and Pollock converting one each. Steel scored for Pirates De Freatus failing to goal. Mr R Culling was the referee. MARIST AND RUNANGA DRAW. In a fourth grade match, played at Wingham Park yesterday, Marist and Runanga scored a try each. Lord scored for Marist, McTaggart obtaining Runanga’s try. ( z IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND, August 13. City 19. Devonport 13; Ponsonby 20, Richmond 11. DUNEDIN, August 13. City 39, Athletic 26; Christian Brothers 10, Pacific 0.