LEAGUE FOOTBALL KIWIS DEFEAT FRENCH TEAM AT MARSEILLES

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1948, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL KIWIS DEFEAT FRENCH TEAM AT MARSEILLES

MARSEILLES, Jan. 18.

Ten thousand people saw the Kiwis Rugby League team defeat a French B. team by 41 points to 20. The Kiwis led by 27 to 15 at halftime. In the second half they wore down the French defence and scored four tries in the last 15 minutes. France opened a high scoring game when Barrateau landed a fine penalty goal. Bichindaritz then racc*l over for a try. Clarke kicked a penalty goal for the Kiwis’ first points. Bichindaritz, playing a thrustful game, broke through again for a second try, which he converted. The Kiwis settled down after this reverse and scored a spate of tries before half-time. P. Smith scored twice, and Johnson, Jordan, and Mountford crossed the French line, Clarke converting on each occasion. The only French scoring during this period was a tear-away try by Rabier, which was converted. After the interval Bonasse scored and converted a try for France. Gradually the Kiwis stamina prevailed and toward the finish the Frenchmen were unable to cope with the Kiwis’ forward rushes. Davidson, Jordan, McKenzie and MacGregor all scored tries, Clarke converting tne try by Davidson.