RUGBY LEAGUE Brilliant Passing

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1946, Page 8

RUGBY LEAGUE Brilliant Passing

English Team Defeats South Island CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. Brilliant football was played by the English Rugby League team when it opened its New Zealand tour by defeating South Island at the Show Grounds on Saturday, by 24 points to 12. Most of the English players when in possession of the ball appeared to work for several movements ahead, and it was embarrassing for the South Island players to find one of the speedy backs, apparently safe-

ly pocketed, switch the play to the centre of the field with five or six white clad figures lined out as in orthodox passing. They changed direction in a flash and. even when the good South Island backs made solid tackles, the English players retained their foothold. The passing provided a treat for footballers of either code. Against such a brilliant combination the South Island team made a splendid showing. In the early stages the forwards made several splendid dribbling rushes and this was a phase of the play the visitors did not appear to appreciate. It was only in the forwards where the South Island men held their own, for seldom were the backs on top of the play and their main work was in stopping the opposing backs and forwards. Outstanding Players. Outstanding amcng ■ the visitors’ backs were E. Ward and B. Knowlden,' centre three-quarters, J. .Tones, full-back, L. Lewthwaite, winger, and T. McCue, half-back. In the forwards, G. Curran hooked successfullv and in a pack that moved fast in the open and rucked solidly Nicholson, Gee and White were often prominent. The best of the South Island backs was J. McNaughton, five-eighth, and in some respects he measured up to the Englishmen. R. Nuttall, fullback. played a sterling game on defence. Ord, at half-back, showed cleverness 'and. his tackling was excellent. The South Island forwards ail played grand games, with Gillman (Canterbury) and Newton (West Coast)' at the head of almost every movement. The teams were:— England.— Full-back, J. Jones; three-quarters. J. Lewthwaite, E. Ward, B. Knowlden, A. Johnson; five-eighths, W. Davies; T. McCue; forwards, L. White, R. Nicholson, T. Foster, F. Gee, G. Curran, F. Hughes. South Island. — Full-back, R. Nuttall; three-quarters, M.' Teen, W. Mountford, C. Davison; five-eighths, K. Henry, J. McNaughton; half-back, M. Ord; forwards, K. Mountford, R. Aynsley, C. Mcßride, J. Newton, P. Smith, A. Gillman. Scoring Movements. Early in the first half, in a loose ruck, England was penalised and Davison opened the scoring with a fine kick. The English backs swung into action and Ward scored a try, which he converted. England 5, South Island 2. The South Island forwards again took charge, and after a fine dribbling rush W. Mountford scored. Ord converted. South Island 7, England 5. The English backs in a brilliant movement sent Knowlden over. Ward converted. England 10, South Island 7. The English wing three-quarter, Lewthwaite, scored after a passing rush. Ward converted. At halftime, England led by by 15 points to 7. The second spell opened with a penalty goal by Nuttall, making the score England 15, South .Island 9, and the scoring close when

K. Mountford scored. England now had all the better of the play, and after a series of passing rushes tries were scored by Knowlden and Lewthwaite (2). Mr. J. Griffen (Greymouth) was referee. Competition Fixtures Postponed Owing to heavy rain, the Challenge Cup match between Brunner and Kohinoor and all lower grade competition fixtures on the West Coast were postponed yesterday.