N.Z. VICTORY IN SECOND RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23331, 14 August 1950, Page 3

N.Z. VICTORY IN SECOND RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 14. The New Zealand Rugby League representative won the second test of the season against England by 20 points to 13 on Saturday. The New Zealanders scored four tries (two converted) and two penalty goals to three tries (two converted). The visiting backs were the superior set. but met a very stubborn defence. The New Zealand forwards, playing with great dash, paved the way for the home team’s victory.

New Zealand thus won the two tests played, having defeated England 16-10 at Christchurch a fortnight previously. Despite tne fact that both R. Williams and T. Bradshaw played well they were not allowed the same freedom as in the match against Auckland on the previous Saturday. Nevertheless Williams especially was always dangerous. The captain, Ward, played a fine allround game. Among the forwards there was none better on the field than Ryan, who used pace and weight to the best advantage. "-Ie was ably supported in all-round work by Higgins, who was especially good in the tight. The star of the New Zealand side was Haig, the scrum-half. He made many clever openings and started movements which led to New Zealand tries. B. White, full-back, also played a good game, his hard, low tackling being especially meritorious. Among the New Zealand forwards T. Hardwick, J. Newton, C. Hurndell and C. McBride were always in the picture in both the tight and the loose.

Ideal Conditions

Weather and ground conditions were ideal and a crowd of 20,000 watched the match. It was a hard game throughout, but generally did not reach the spectacular heights expected. After play had been in progress for 10 minutes White opened the New Zealand score from a penalty. England drove back in a series of forward rushes. The ball swung out to Williams, who made an opening. Street improved and in-passed to Ward who went over the line in a good position, but failed to convert the try. Soon afterwards White had an easy chance from a penalty but screwed his kick. Mishandling by White enabled Ryan to kick ahead, pick up and score a simple try. Ward converted and England led 8-2.

England was penalised for an illegal tackle of Johnson and the referee warned Egan. Then Street was offside and White kicked a penalty goal. England 8, New Zealand 4. Baxter beat Danby and in-passed to Haig, who went over for a nice try wide out. White failed to convert. — England 8. New Zealand 7. A minute later Haig broke through from a scrum and transferred to Mcßride. Hurndell then came into the movement and gave the ball again to Haig. The latter bumped through Ward’s tackle to score a fine try. White failed to convert and at half-time the score was: New Zealand 10, England 8. Play of Second Half

On the resumption the New Zealanders attempted to keep the game tight by playing to the forwards. The visitors changed the back formation, Street going bn the wing and Danby coming into the inside centre berth.. Play was rugged and there were two “incidents" in quick succession. Halfway through the spell Street retired with an ankle injury. Higgins took his place on the wing. New Zealand scored again when Haig made an excellent opening to send McBride away. The whole backline handled before Robertson scored. Haig goaled. New Zealand 15, England 8. Street returned to the field after receiving medical attention and the tourists' launched a series of attacks which had the defence sorely tried. Haig started a movement for Robertson and Forrest to join in. The lastnamed swung in-field and in-passed to Haig, who raced over under the bar for a try. Davidson goaled. New Zealand 20, England 8. . Near time Danby was assisted off the field by two ambulance men. Although England had only 12 men on the field Williams made a break. Cunliffe chimed in and Featherstone raced over between the posts unopposed. Ward converted. —New Zealand 20, England 13. Danby returned to the field. Play was held up for some minutes because spectators took possession of four balls which had been punted into the terraces. The crowd invaded the field before the final whistle and the big forward Hardwick lost a good scoring chance when he crashed into a schoolboy and sent him sprawling.