LEAGUE TEST AT SYDNEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 147, 7 June 1932, Page 3

LEAGUE TEST AT SYDNEY

ENGLAND BEATS AUSTRALIA. TWO POINTS THE DIFFERENCE. SYDNEY, June 6. Favoured with fine, cool weather the Rugby League test between England and Australia attracted an enormous attendance, over 60,000 crowding the Sydney Cricket Ground, when the police ordered the gates to be closed. A thousand outside were unable to see the match.

The teams were as announced yesterday, with the omission of Dingsdale from the English three-quarter line. Play was strenuous and exciting throughout, and though England won the Australians had the visitors on the defensive many times, especially in the first spell, when Weissel lost a couple of tries through sheer hard luck. Ellabv and Atkinson scored for England in the first spell, Sullivan converting the latter, while Weissel kicked three penalty goals for Australia. The halftime figures wore thus: England 8 Australia .. .. ■. .. 6

The second spell saw a hard, bullocking game all the way. The Australians again pressed hard in the latter stages. Weissel had another bit of ill fortune, the ball beating him on the bounce when he had a chance of getting over right in front of the English goal. Just on time Sullivan had a shot from a penalty goal, but the ball went wide and the game ended with the scores unchanged.

The game was characterised by dour defence with great tackling, but the better side won. Australia received the lion’s share of penalties. Ellaby was the star performer, being largely instrumental in securing England’s two tries, while Weissel, for Australia, was the most prominent of the locals.