England Defeats Auckland

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 August 1946, Page 6

England Defeats Auckland

Great Forward Tussle in Mud

(P.A.) AUCKLAND,''Aug. 4. The English Rugby-League touring team narrowly defeated Auckland- in a great wet-day struggle by 9 points to 7 at Carlaw Park. An attendance of 18,000 watched a great recovery by the Auckland forwards, who rose grandly to the occasion and nearly pulled’the game out of the fire in the last 10 minutes. The heavy ground was against any expected brilliance from the English backs. However, they were often dangerous on attack. The English forwards were a stone heavier, but the Auckland vanguard more than held its own. England scored three tries to one by Auckland. Rain pelted down in torrents on occasions. The crowd thundered its approval when W. Clarke, the Auckland full-back, grounded Bassett, the dashing English three-quar-ter, who twice raced 40 yards early in the game. Auckland was not outhooked at any stage. The English halves were checked round the scrum by a fast-breaking pack. Hardwick gave an outstanding display, tackling like a demon in the loose and repeatedly charging kicks. The English backs did not handle the ball with anything like the sureness of the Auckland set.

The Scoring. Bassett, the winger, got the first try, after Whitcombe ‘and Owens dribbled cleverly past the local backs. England led 3-2 at half-time. Fine individual efforts were made by White and Curran. The ball was kicked through, and Nicholson raced hard and just touched down inches from the dead-ball line for a lucky try. England had full control at this stage, until , Cunningham raced through midst excitement and passed to Hardwick. Graham was pulled down a yard from the try-line. England’s third try came from a long stab kick by Nicholson. Bassett ran fast and toed past Clarke to dive for the ball. The Auckland forwards were gallant in the last 15 minutes, and drove the English vanguard back. R. Clark kicked through, and Cunningham ran on. for a good try. . The game was played in a fine spirit, there not being one incident of rough play. In spite of the wretched conditions, the visitors gave the impression of being a difficult team to beat on a dry ground. Actually, there was not a great deal of difference between the teams. The manner in which the Auckland foiwards swept through the English defences was a feature of the game, Ryan, Johnson, and Graham standing out brilliantly in the loose. it was impossible to recognise the players at the end of the game, but the big crowd stayed until the finish, which came in a dramatic recovery. Hardwick raced through, whipped the ball on to Nurse, who went flatout for the corner. He actually beat Risman, but Batten overtook Nurse when the winning try seemed certain.

impressive Centre. For England, Ernest Ward, the centre, was the most impressive back. His strong running was hard to stop. The’wings, Bassett and Batten, were very dangerous. Behind the scrum, McCue was checked from any of his spectacular play. He put the I ball unfairly in the scrums and got 'a lot of latitude. Risman was right ’off form at full-back. He dropped I the ball and was caught often in possession. Owens lived up to his high reputation as a fine back-row forward. Nicholson, White, and Curran were the best of a good pack. Clarke, the Auckland full-back, played a great game, tackling well and driving back attacks with longrange kicks. McGregor was impressive at centre, while Nurse, who was considered lucky to get a place, played his way into the New Zealand team. The half-back, Cunningham, gave excellent service under trying conditions. Hardwick was the best forward on the ground. Pye, Johnson, and Ryan did great work throughout. Nine English test players were included in the team. England’s tries were scored by Bassett (2) and Nicholson, and for Auckland Cunningham scored one try, converted by Clarke, who kicked a penalty goal.

Four Wes£ Coasters in Test Team (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 4. The Now Zealand team to meet England in the League test next Saturday is:-— Full-back: S. W. Clarke (Auckland). Three-quarters: R. Nurse (Auckland), L. Jordan (Auckland), M. Robertson (Auckland), W. Mountford (West Coast). Five-eighth: R. . Clark (Auckland), captain. Half-back: R. Cunningham (Auckland). Forwards: Front row, J. . Newton (West Coast), R. Aynsley (West Coast), B. Graham (.Auckland); second row, A. Gillman (Canterbury), C. Mcßride (West Coast); third row, T. Hardwick (Auckland). Reserves: P. Smith (Canterbury), R. McGregor (Auckland.

; Courdrv Wins Schoolboys’ • ‘ Trial The ground at Victoria Park on Saturday was heavy, but some good football was seen in the schoolboys’ ! trial match for the selection of the team to represent West Coast in the forthcoming tournament at Auck- ' land. The Country team won by 8 points to 5, as a result of a try scored in the last few minutes of the game. McMillan and Duggan scored tries for Country, one being converted by McNichol. For the Town team, K. Brown scored a try which was converted by O’Connor. Mr. J. Griffin was referee. Hornby Suffers First Defeat (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 3. Hornby suffered its first defeat of the season when it lost to Linwood by 17 points to 15, in the first games of the second round of the Canterbury Rugby League’s senior championship to-day. Rakaia beat Christchurch by 17 points to 13,. ahd now. ’leads in the competition. Addington beat Sydenham by 16 poihts to 13,