QUEENSLAND VICTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19122, 14 September 1925, Page 11

QUEENSLAND VICTORY.

THE SECOND LEAGUE TEST. "SCORE OF 35 POINTS TO 14. FAST AND EXCITING GAME. BRILLIANT VISITING BACKS. I The second test match between the Qneensland and New Zealand Rugby League representatives was played at- Carlaw Park on Saturday. The game was last and exciting throughout and resulted in victory for Queensland by 35 points to 14. The intense interest aroused bv the tour of the Queensland team, which is claimed to be the world's champion League team, was strikingiy manifested by the fact that a crowd estimated at 14.000 witnessed tho match. It was the third appearance of the visitors at Carlaw Park and tho sparkling football shown, combined with particularly close and exciting finishes, had evidently whetted the appetite of a football-loving public. Tho dramatic finish of tho first test on the previous Saturday when New Zealand won by a point in the last minute of play and the almost equally sensational finish to the gamo against Auckland on Wednesday, which ended in a draw, gave promise of a stirring battle in the second test. That promise was realised in part. A really thrilling first spell ended with Queensland leading by 13 points to 7, but the visitors were a trifle lucky in having a lead of moru than one point. From the outset both sides showed great speed and cleverness in handling tho ball. Play flashed from end to end of the field with remarkable speed. In a moment defence. would be turned into attack and the spectators would be on their feet with excitement as a dashing effort was frustrated close to the goal-lice and a counteroffensive started at racing speed. These movements were punctuated by stoppages for penalties, 'tho majority of which were against the visitors, bat the advantage rule was applied judiciously by tltG referee arid thero were no unnecessary delays. Superior Tactics Prevail. Tho early part of the second spell provided a succession of thrills and the New '■Zealand players looked like equalising the scons. However, as the game progressed weaknesses in,handling at critical moments some unnecessary kicking gave the visitors chances that were eagerly snapped up and turned to advantage. The visiters won handsomely by maintaining tho true League game and keeping possession »>f the ball whenover that was possible. Some of their opponents assisted them to do so by injudicious punting. Against such a brilliant combination of backs the New Zealand players were courting disaster by hasty kicks when in difficulties. This . factor to a large extent accomplished the downfall of the Blacks. The visitors were enabled to keep on the attack and make full use of their cleverness in handling. Of the-Queensland piayars, in a brilliant set of backs Gorman again demonstrated his right to be classed at the inost dangerous inside threeqnarter in' ths game. Ha W.---5 in: every attacking movement and made gteat openings for his supports. On his displays in Auckland his right to pre-eminence in the position he fills will not be questioned. Crouch. Spencer and Aynsley performed their appointed tasks «xcellently, Aynsley again showing wonderful speed. Craig's Pins Performance. The outstanding back for the visitors was Craig who emphasised his versatility by playing a magnificent game at fullback and kicking goals with almost monotonous regularity from, anywhere within the halfway flog. At times he took a hand in attack and on at least two occasions made openings that led to scores. The visiting forwards played solidly and •«v«n the ball from the scrum on the majority of occasion.'] although the New Zealand hooker, St. George., did his part Of the New Zealand backs} Wetherall enhanced his reputation by playing a brilliant game in all departments. He was ably supported by Saunders, Delgrosso and Kirwan. Webb, at halfback and Gregory at fullback were sound, although th« latter was overshadowed by Craig, the Queensland fullback. The New Zealand forwards played well and in the nick more than held their own with their opponents. Just a little more practice in handling and some of the finer points displayed by the visitors will stamp th.-rn as a champion League pack. They havo almost attained that standard now, but were asked to do a trifle too much on Saturday in following the high kick in the centre of the field which had proved successful in a high wind in ths first test. Description of the Play. Queensland won the toss and Wetherall net the ball in motion for Potter to field and send the backs away » nice passing ran that ended in midfield. New Zealand were penalised and Craig opened the score with a fine goal. Queensland 2. " New Zealand . . .. . . 0, Good play by Webb was spoilt as O'Brien broke through, and with six men in support passed too high. The home forwards were playing with great dash. Singe kicked past Craig, ana Kirwan, racing on, touched down to score. Delgrosso goaled: New Zealand >. 5 Queensland .. .. >., £ The drop out was taken by Spencer who threw a long pass to Steinohrt, the hftli then going to Edwards, whose progress was stopped as Kirwan tackled in fine styio. A long kick by Littlewood was well fielded by Craig, who showed himself a master in a clever run through the defetico, and it was left- to Delgrosso to stop him alter several Blacks had missed. The game was fast and exciting, and Wetherall beat the opposition and passed to Kirwan, to Saunders and finally to Delgrosso, who was well tackled by Craig. Almost immediately afterwards the visitors were penalised for offside play and Delgrosso kicked a great goal: New Zealand .. .. .. 7 Queensland .. .. . 2 From the semm Armbruster made a great dash* but Herring tackled well. Kirwan was forced to kick, the ball hitting one of his own team and rebounding into the hands of Spencer, who easily scored. Craig missed a comparatively easy shot: New Zealand i. • 7 Queensland . <• • •• 5 New Zealand lost a great ehanco as Avery beat Aynsley for ihe ball, but his pass to Saunders was well forward. The visitors came away in a great passing ran in which Moores showed up prominently. Nearing the twenty-five Gorman short-kicked over Gregory's bead, out Delgrosso saved well. The homo side wore defending grimly r but Potter by sheer strength dashed down the centre and pan-ed to Steinohrt who cut in nicaly and whipped it on to Crouch, to Purcell. Purcell dropped the bail, but gathering in again, scored. Craig added the goal poirits: Queensland •»••. «•' >• New Zealand .. .... 7 Thero was no denying the keenness ot the play, and the crowd were treated to Some fine football. From a scrum in midfield the visitors broke away and showed great speed and accurate handling. Tho ball travelled from Moores to Gorman, who shot straight through the centre in a brilliant burst. Nearing the twenty-five Gorman whipped the ball on to Crouch who raced over to score. Craig missed With a splendid kick: Queensland ..i >• «•- New Zealand !..u *

. Tho vinihra threw tie dry hall about in fine style. Pureed came away and passed to Henderson, to Bennett, but Aynsley dropped the next pass and missed a certain try. The home team were not playing with the dash displayed in tne two previous games. The pace of the visitors began to have its effect, and New Zealand could not get the ball from tho scrums. A great shout arose from the spectators as ths Black forwards followed a high un rom Singe and O'Brien secured the ball and whipped it on to Saunders, whose pass to Delgrosso just missed and a try was lo3t. The Black forwards were putting in soma great work, but Moores gathered up in good Style and passed to Spencer, who made a sensational run through the home backs. Spencer actually beat Gregory, but Delgrosso came fast and stopped a certain try. It was a game of thrills, and Aynsley raced away to beat Littlewood easily, but Gregory provided tho stumbling-block. Throwing the ball about in great style Queensland swung into the attack and Edwards, Moores and Gorman were seen in some pretty passing. However, the defence was very sound, and the visitors' movements were often nipped in tho bud. The blacks were unlucky as Webb whipped the ball to Wetherall, to Saunders, to Kirwan. Kirwan made a great opening before sending on to Littlewood, who fumbled and Craig touched down. The bell sounded for half-time with the scores: Queensland « ■.« t .. 13 New Zealand .. .. ..7 The second spell opened with a mistake by O'Brien, -and Bennett was quick to grasp tho opening. He was well supported by Aynsley, who sprinted down the line, but Saunders got him well. In fielding a high kick by Singe, several Queenslanders plainly obstructed Avery, and Delgrosso kicked a great goal from 50 yards out: Queensland * «. 13 New Zealand 9 Good play by Webb was well supported by Kir-wan, who was forced to kick. Queensland won from the scrum that followed and Edwards passed to Moores, to Gorman, the ball then going to Crouch. Crouch made » clever opening and beat Gregory, to score a splendid try. Craig easily added the goal points. Queensland 18 New Zealand « ... 9 The home forwards were again prominent in a great dash that swept play to Queensland's line, where Craig proved most elusive in beating several Blacks, to find tho line with a great kick. From Webb tha ball travelled to Wetherall, who cut ■ clean through the defence and passed to Saunders. Sounders made a brilliant opening and with Kirwan in support made for tho line. Nearing Craig, Aynsley tackled Kirwan who was waiting for the pass from Saunders, and the referee awarded Kirwan a penalty try. Delgrosso was successful with the kick at goal. ' Queensland * . . . . 18 New Zealand < . . . . 14 The visitors were now getting a greater share of the ball, and Edwards whipped it on to Moores to Gorman. Gorman drew Kirwan and cleverly opened up the play, to pass to Aynsley, who showed great pace as he raced down the line. Delgrosso came fast from the other wing and saved. The visitors were constantly attacking and some fine football was witnessed. Wetherall, Kirwan and Delgrosso showed up in some clever passing that delighted the crowd. Queensland were too speedy and Spencer recived, Delgrosso's pass to Singe, The good work of the lioime team was undone when Littlewood received a kick from Craig, .md foolishly returned the ball to the centre, where Spencer gathered in and passd to Bennett who, although tackled by Saunders, scored. Craig added the goal points. Queensland * .. u . 23 New .Zealand # . . 14 Almost immediately afterwards the Black forwards were; too eager to carry on the good, work by Kirwan, and they ware penalised for off-side play and Craig was successful with the kick. Queensland ■ . . . .. 25 New Zealand. . . . . 14 Speed from the scrum enabled Edwards to beat several, of the home team and the visitors' half passed to Crouch, to Gorman, who in a clever run raced to the 25, where he passed to Spencer, but Kirwan just got there in time to prevent a score. A long kick by Webb was followed up by Delgrosso, who made a fine effort to catch Craig, and the fullback was forced to send a long kick over New Zealand's line. Wetherall's quick drop-out was nullified by Henderson, and Armbruster gathered tho ball up to pass to Crouch, who sent Aynsley away to run round and seflfre behind the posts. Craig easily added his sixth goal. Queensland .. .. 30 New Zealand .. . . ..14 Tho fielding of the visitors was faultless and from a high kick, by Singe, Moores secured and passed to Purcell, who sent Sfceinohrt over to score. Craig again converted. Queensland ... . . . 35 Now Zealand 14 The New Zealand team were plainly tiring, but when they got the ball, and this was seldom, they gained considerable advantage. Webb made a good opening and sent to Wetherall, to Kirwan, to Saunders, who boat Gorman, but Potter got him from behind;- The bal?. was played back and Singe made a fine solo effort to score. Craig again proved a hard man to beat and he sent the home side to midfield with a mighty kick. Weak handling by Littlewood got New Zealand into trouble, and Crouch gathered up tho ball to pass to Gorman, who short-kicked over the Blacks' line. In the race for possession Kirwan beat Potter and Henderson for the touch-down. The game ended soon afterwards with Queensland attacking. Queensland 35 New Zealand .. . • . . 14 SHOST BOTORUA VISIT. DEPARTURE THIS MORNING. The Queensland League team, with the managers, Miessrs. H. Sunderland and ■T. Dovle, will leave for Rotonia this morning. They intend seeing the sights in the thermal regions, returning in time to play South Auckland at Hamilton on Wednesday.