RUGBY LEAGUE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 November 1926, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE.

NEW ZEALANDERS DEFEATED. BATTLEY WINS BY TWO POINTS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPY RIG cU LONDON, Nov. 20. Battley beat the New Zealand League team by 19 points to 17. The New Zealand team was: Dufty, Brown, Davidson, Desmond, Gardiner, Kirwin, Webb, Henry, Carroll, Singe, Peterson, Mason, and Avery. The conditions were atrocious, owing to heavy rain and a wet ground. Nevertheless, the first half provided most attractive play, with free scoring and a ding-dong struggle. Gardiner early sent the ball in to Henry, who scored, Dufty goaling. Smith replied with ail unconverted try for Battley. Davidson made a good run and passed to Brown, who scored for Dufty to add a goal. Almost immediately Reese scored ana 3 cott " converted, after which Battley went ahead with a try by Wales. Ihen Dufty kicked a penalty goal, but Davidge put his side ahead again by crossing the All Blacks line, only to see Gardiner score another try, which was not converted. The half-time scores were : New Zealsmd 15, Battley 14. The visitors’ play in the second spell was less attractive, although the closeness of the issue maintained interest in the game. Dufty kicked a penalty goal, but after this the tourists were largely on the defensive. Eventually’ Gallagher got a try, which Scott goaled, adding what proved to be the winning points. The**New Zealanders rallied fruitlessly, their forwards failing to get the ball roin the .scrums, with the result that their backs lacked chances. Dufty placed a magnificent game, while Webb, Davidson, and Brown were always dangerous when in possession.