LEAGUE TEAM DEFEATED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19068, 13 July 1925, Page 10

LEAGUE TEAM DEFEATED.

SEVEN POINTS TO FOUR. GREAT GAME IN SYDNEY. HONOURS WITH VISITORS. GOOD WORK OF FORWARDS. By Telegraph—Prosa Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. ami N.Z. SYDNEY, July 12. Tho New Zealand Rugby League team, although it was defeated by New South .Wales in tho first match yesterday by 7 points to 4, won all tho honours in a hard, rugged conflict in tho presence of 25,000 spectators. The Black vanguard gave a lino exhibition throughout tho contest, but tho backs were unable to finalise the forwards' good work when the critical moment arrived. Although no try was registered by them the New Zealanders should have crossed several times. In fact they did on two occasions, but breaches extricated the Blues from awkward situations. Tho visitors deputed L. Brown to bottlo tip tho Now Soiltli Wales star wing-three-quarter, Wearing, and Brown succeeded admirably. The visitors tackled determinedly whenever their opposing player - touched the leather. O'Rourke, instead of transferring to his wing, cut in smartly on one occasion, leaving Dufty to contemplate Wearing, who was expected to receive the ball but did not. Apart from this error, for which the most brilliant of fullbacks could bo pardoned, Dufty gave a sterling display, his powerful lino kicking and deadly tackling being reminiscent of tho Doughty English fullback Sullivan, who toured Australia and New Zealand in 1924. 11l the first spell Wearing converted a try and then Laing in quick succession landed two penalty goals. At the interval the scores were : New South Wales ... 5 New Zealand ... Dumvorth was carried from the field owing to slight concussion and Hayes replaced him. Delgrosso injured his right arm, but continued playing. After the Bpell Delgrosso decided not to resume and following a brief conference Parkes was allowed to replace him. Tho play in the second session was decidedly open, but not brilliant, in consequence of the effective tackling of both sides. Mouatt, O'Brien and Avery shone in an all-conquering invasion of the New South Wales goal area, but faulty handling checked each movement. The Bices apparently felt a beat-en side and certainly played like one, their customary enterprise and sparkle wilting under the determined spoiling tactics of the visitors. A penalty for an illegal tackle was converted into a goal by Wearing late in tho second half. Then Laing failed with a comparatively easy penalty in his opponents' twenty-five. The Blacks electrified the spectators ■with a brilliant threequarter rush on time, but a knock-on near the line spoiled a certain try, and the final whistle went with tho score:—• Now South Wales ..w m 7 New Zealand ... 4 With a littla polish the visitors are expected to turn the tables in the future.