LEAGUE TEST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 193, 30 July 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

LEAGUE TEST

N.Z. v. ENGLAND BIG SCORE RUNC UP. VISITORS WIN 24-9. Twenty thousand were present for > the League Test N.Z. v. England. New Zealand began well by hooking the ball in the first four scrums, but ' the first real attack came from England, when a smart movement, started by Risman, ended with Laing bowling Atkinson out in the corner. Then the Blacks took a hand. Playing desperately and keeping the ball down, they had the visitors we! Itested. New Zealand, headed by Calder, took the play into England’s twenty-five, where the Blacks had the defence shattered and Stephenson picked up to dive across only to lose the ball. Desperate play ensued, from which New Zealand were awarded a penalty and Laing landed a fine goal. New Zealand 2 England 0 Sullivan had two unsuccessful shots, one a very easy one, when M. O’Brien was penalised, but the English skipper missed both. Sullivan was bustled when fast following up by Scott- carried him over the line.

Then the English backs swung into action and after Risman had been within an ace of scoring, Cooke saving. The ball was thrown out to the centre; Hodgson secured and sent to Ellaby, who sidestepped Laing and went across to score. Sullivan missed. England 3 New Zealand 2 Masters opened up an attack, Cook short-punting, and the Blacks stormed through, but Sullivan played for safety. England were penalised and Laing kicked another fine goal.

New Zealand 4 England 3 Within two minutes England had taken the lead again. From a scrum inside the Blacks’ twenty-five the ball was whipped out to Atkinson and he cut through the defence to score. Hodgson missed an easy shot. England 6 New' Zealand 4 England’s backs were throwing the ball about in great style and backing up well.

A hard tackle saw Cooke receiving attention, but he soon pulled round. A brilliant interchange of passing between Cooke, Smith and O’Brien broke down within a yard of the Englishmen’s line five minutes before the interval. From a scrum at the front of England goal Cooke brought the ‘■house”- down when he received the ball from Masters and dummied the defence to race across and score. Laing converted. New Zealand 9 England 6 Half-time was then called.

SECOND SPELL. England scored early in the second half when Hutt threw a wild pass infield for the visitors to secure possession. From one to another they handed the ball, for Atkinson finally to score in the corner. Sullivan kicked a fine angle goal. England M New Zealand 9 A great line kick by Sullivan put the play dangerously near the Blacks’ line and a bout of passing which promised a score broke down at Ellaby. New Zealand, with Calder in the lead, charged down the field but were scut back by Sullivan. Cooke, List and Masters had the crowd shouting as they were almost through the defence and then Smith actually touched down after getting a pass from Cooke, but he was called back for a pass forward.

A penalty against Masters saw Sullivan land a goal. England 15 New Zealand 9

England’s backs were setting a torrid pace and were combining with the forwards, who were ever ready to take a hand in the passing. England’s next score as registered by Fleetham, who. received a pass from Silcock. Sullivan goalcd. England 18 New Zealand 9 England put on another three points when Ellaby received the ball just inside half way and, streaking down the line, side-stepped Laing and scored. Sullivan’s shot missod. England 21 New Zealand 9 Exciting play was accompanied by a series of scrums near the Englishmen’s line and then the visitors shifted the scene. Smith secured and beat Laing to score near the touch-line. Sullivan missed. The final score was: — England 24 New Zealand 9