COLOURS FLYING

Northern Advocate, 13 July 1925, Page 5

COLOURS FLYING

i LEAGUE TEAM GOES DOWN

INITIAL ENCOUNTER.

AGAINST NEW SOUTH WALES.

(Received 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. | The New Zealand Rugby League | team, though, defeated by seven points j to four, twon all the honours in a hard j ycnd .rugged conflict with New South ■Wales, .in. the presence of 25,000 spectatflffs. The visiting vanguard gave a 3Bne exhibition throughout the contest, l> u t the backs were unable to finalise I the forwards' good work when the critical moment arrived. I Though only one try was registered, ! the New Zealanders should have crossed several times; in fact, they did on two occasions, but breaches extricated the Blues 'from awkward situations. The visitors had deputed Brown to bottle up the New South Wales star winger, Wearing, and Brown succeeded admirably. The visitor tackled hi 3 -vis-a-vis determinedly whenever the latter touched the leather. O'Rourke, instead of transferring to the wing, cut in smartly on one occasion, leaving Dufty to contemplate Wearing, who was expected to receive tiip ball, but did not. Apart from this error, for'which the most brilliant fullback could be pardoned, Dufty gave a sterling display, 'his powerful linekicking and deadly tackling being reminiscent of the doughty English fullback, Sullivan, who toured Australia and New Zealand in 1924. Wearing converted the try.

Then Laing in quick succession landed two penalty goals, the* interval scores being—New South Wales 5, New Zealand 4.

Dunworth was carried from the field <rwing to slight concussion, Hayes replacing him. Delgrosso injured his right arai, but continued playing. After the spell Delgrosso decided not to resume and following on a brief conference Parkes was allowed to- replace him.

The play in the second session was decidedly open, but not brilliant" in consequence of effective tackling by both sides. Mouatt, O'Brien ahd Avery shone in all-conquering invasions to the home goal area, but faulty handling checked each movement. The Blues apparently felt a beaten side, and certainly they played like one, their customary enterprise and sparkle wilting under the determined spoiling tactie3 of the visitors.

A penalty for an illegal tackle was converted into a goal by Wearing lata in the second half. —New South Wales 7, New Zealand 4. Laing subsequently failed with & ■comparatively easy penalty in the home twenty-five. The visitors electrified the spectators with a brilliant three-quarter rush' just on time; but a knock-on near the line spoilt a certain try. With a little polish the visitors are expected to turn the tables in future. —A. and N.Z.