Huddersfield Beats Kiwis

Northern Advocate, 24 November 1947, Page 7

Huddersfield Beats Kiwis

RUGBY LEAGUE

LONDON, Sun.—Huddersfield defeated the New Zealand Rugby League team by 12 points to 7 after New Zealand had led 7—2 at half-time. The New Zealand team in a predominantly forward game had its first experience of English weather in which wind and rain demanded a high degree of adaptability. The form, considering the conditions, was good, but the tourists appeared to tire when faced with a strong wind and beating rain in the second spell. Huddersfield’s opportunism and ability to gain possession of the ball in the last quarter turned the tables.

The New Zealanders were clearly better on the run of the play and they were unlucky to lose. Huddersfield twice received the benefit of the doubt when it appeared that New Zealand had scored tries. GOOD KICKING

Good kicking was a feature of each side’s play. W. S. Clarke’s first penalty goal was from a difficult position and was only a few inches wide with a second spectacular attempt just after Huddersfield’s Bawden had equalised the scores with a penalty goal. Clarke later was successful with another kick at goal and the try which D. Anderson scored after snapping up a long pass gave New Zealand a halftime advantage of 7 points to 2. The Kiwis R. Clark and D. Barchard after the interval executed several clever penetrations of Huddersfield’s defence. Anderson on one occasion beat four Huddersfield defenders before he was grounded. The New Zealanders' alacrity to cover the opponent in possession, their good share of the ball from tight scrums and their deadly tackling kept a close check on Huddersfield. OPPORTUNISTS

Opportunist efforts gave Huddersfield victory with two tries, the first by Bawden and the second by Morgan. Bawden converted both. W. S. Clarke and L. Fye were outstanding for New Zealand.

The joint manager of the New Zealand team. Mr J. A. Redwood, after Huddersfield’s success said: “We made preparations to beat what we consider one of the best of the English club sides.

“Our boys did their best, but they were not quite good enough.”