THE LEAGUE GAME

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 224, 20 August 1928, Page 8

THE LEAGUE GAME

SECOND JEST MATCH.

WIN FOR ENGLISHMEN,

SEVERAL UNPLEASANT IN-

CIDENTS.

Per Press Association

DUNEDIN, Aug. 18. The second League test between England and New Zealand was played on the Caledonian Ground in glorious weather. The attendance was 9000. Tho ground was in excellent order. England won the toss and had a light breeze at their backs. Twice New Zealand broke away, but kicked too hard. England was forced five minutes after the commencement. England was penalised forty yards out and Dufty kicked an excellent goal. For playing the man on the ground Goodall was cautioned. Sullivan had a kick at goal, but the ball fell short. A few minutes later England was penalised, but managed to clear the line. M. O’Brien then started a dash upfield. Goodall crossed the line, but was called back. Later New Zealand was penalised and Sullivan kicked an easy goal, equalising the scores.

The game went up and down the field in a series of fast rushes. The tackling on both sides was very bad. The game was somewhat willing. Foolish dodging about by Weatherill let England away, but they were forced out at the corner. The handling by both teams was good and the players on each side showed a considerable turn of speed. The tackling was very hard. Prentice and Bowen wore cautioned for rough play. Delgrosso was injured and had to be earned off. The New Zealand forwards came through in a determined rush, but Frodsnam picked up and found the line. Brisbane then picked up cleverly, evaded his opponents and passed to Scott, who, although tackled, rolled over and scored. Dufty’s kick hit the post.

New Zealand kept pressing, but a fast ran by an Englishman put England in an attacking position. Burgess had a kick at goal in the front of the posts, but the ball failed to rise sufficiently. The next incident was a brilliant run by Prentice to the lino, but he was pushed out at the corner. Immediately after, just on half-time, Rees picked up on tho side line and sprinted up quickly and scored. Sullivan converted and the half-time score was: England seven, New Zealand five. The second spell opened with a penalty against England for a scrum offence. Dufty’s kick at goal failed. Many English passing movements, though nippy, went almost straight across the field and seldom gained much ground. New Zealand won the majority of the scrums. The backs moved cleverly, but most of the movements were confined to individuals. A dashing run by the black forwards ended in Goodall getting over, but a scram was ordered and the scene of action returned to halfway where Dufty had a shot at goal, but the ball fell short. A spell of even play ensued, but the game was marred by several unpleasant incidents. A violent exhibition between Horton and Weatherill resulted in the former being cautioned, but the intervention of O’Brien saved him from being sent off. England next got away, and Fildig dribbled over the line, but several men fell on it. The referee ordered a force down. The Englishmen were not the only ones not playing the game. Horton had to leave the field, to bo followed immediately after by J. J. O’Brien who sustained an injury to his nose. Hutt was also hurt, but he continued after attention. England then got away. Brough started a passing rush which ended in Ellaby scoring at the corner. Sullivan’s kick was a failure.

Following a “dirty” incident in a scrum, Burgess was singled out by the line umpire and ordered off, but he was bleeding freely from the nose. Several players wore cautioned. Failure by two New Zealand players to tackle Bowman enabled that player to score England’s next try. _ Neither made an attempt to get him. Sullivan’s kick was just outside the posts. England 13, New Zealand 5.

The game was played in a spirit not seen in Dunedin in tho memory of the present generation. At times it almost developed into a brawl. The spectators were far from impressed and expressed their disgust in no uncertain manner. The exhibition will do the League code no good.