RUGBY LEAGUE New Zealand Wins First Match Of Tour

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 8

RUGBY LEAGUE New Zealand Wins First Match Of Tour

(Reed. 10.45 0.m.) LONDON, September 25. Saint Helen’s in the first match of the New Zealand Rugby League team’s toiir failed to make use of the advantage which the splendid hooking’ of Blakemore, the Welsh international, gave them in the early stages and the tourists gradually assumed the upper hand. . Only half fit after the long sea voyage and a player short for nearly 30 minutes after the scrum half, J. Haig, had received a leg injury, the tourists still managed to win a fast and exciting game on their' merits.

The New Zealand captain, P. Smith, went over early in the first half, but was recalled for a forward pass. J. Newton soon after snapped up a loose ball and sent Hardwick over. W. S. Clarke’s kick hit a post. Saint Helen’s missed a chance of equalising when a defender knocked down Heaton’s pass almost in the goal mouth. New Zealand had kicked a good deal throughout the match, but at this

stage suddenly reverted to passing, and McGregor scored a good try. Clarke missed again. A goal from a penalty reduced New Zealand’s lead at half-time, the scores being New Zealand 6, Saint Helen’s 2. Saint Helen’s missed another good

chance with the New Zealand defence wide open soon after the resumption. Morris knocked on and Aston failed to recover the situation. A prolonged Saint Helen’s attack severely tested the New Zealand defence until the tourists full-back, Clarke, came through with a great run. Haig went off, then resumed for a short period but had to leave the field half-way through the spell. Saint Helen’s backs opened the way for Doyle to score on the left wing, but the kick missed. Graham with a fine run sent Saint Heien’s back into a defensive position and in the last few minutes a defending back’s mistake opened an easy way for M. Robertson’s try. Clarke kicked a goal and the final score was: NEW ZEALAND 11 SAINT HELEN’S 5 Allegations Against Sydney Club Team SYDNEY, September 25. The manager of the CanterburyBankstown Rugby League football team (Mr B. Russell) says that he has a complete answer to charges made against members of the team in Brisbane, where they were beaten by 60 points to 2, in a game described as “a travesty of football.” Other New South Wales clubs, St George and Newcastle, have telegraphed to the Brisbane Rugby League guaranteeing that their men will behave themselves in Brisbane when they visit Queensland next week. Allegations that some of the Can-terbury-Bankstown players were drunk on the field will be the subject of a full inquiry.