KIWIS’ LATE RUN TO DEFEAT ROCKHAMPTON SIDE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22657, 7 June 1948, Page 5

KIWIS’ LATE RUN TO DEFEAT ROCKHAMPTON SIDE

(11 a.m.) ROCKHAMPTON, June 7. Two tries by Abby Graham saved the New Zealand League team at Rockhampton yesterday after Rockhampton lead by two points to nil 25 minutes after the start of the second half.

Clarke broke down as a goal kicker and appeared to be sore from Saturday’s game against. Queensland. The Kiwis did not play well and sadly missed 'Robertson and Miles. Rich, playing at centre with Graham, jolted most movements by losing the ball.

Hardwick went into the second row and played a great game. His reversal of play with a long pass brought Graham’s first try. Clarke converted both and then kicked a nice penalty to put the Kiwis out of danger, 12-2. They held it to the finish, but Rockhampton was almost in after the final bell.

As a prelude to the second Test, it was a bad game for New Zealand, and is not likely to lead to any Test changes. Clarke Off Kicking Form

Clarke appeared to be off his game at the time, and the backs broke down in many passing movements.

Aynsley kept them in the picture by winning the ball from the scrums. Cunningham was given a lot of room to move, and made good gains. The referee, Mr. Jack Shuttleton. was a second Test prospect, but he spoiled the game by too strict interpretations which had both sides puzzled. The Test is now likely to be refereed by Mr. Chambers, who controlled Saturday’s game against Queensland. The New Zealanders are probably pleased they have only two more games to play—the second Test and against Newcastle, for most of the Test men appeared stale yesterday. Running into a stiff breeze in the first half, they were well held without scoring until 25 minutes, in the second half, when Brighton kicked a penalty for Rockhampton.