DOMINION LEAGUE TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19503, 6 December 1926, Page 11

DOMINION LEAGUE TEAM.

DEFEATED BY WALES. brilliant play by winners. THIRTY-FOUR POINTS TO EIGHT. 1 By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. - (Received 5.5. p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Dec. 4. The New Zealand Rugby Leaguo team was defeated by Wales to-day at Pontypridd by 54 points (eight tries and 5 goals) to 8 (2 tries and 1 goal). There ; were 10,003 spectators. The teams were:—New Zealand,: Gregory, Brown, Davidson, Kir wan, Parkes, Brisbane, Delgrosso, Avery, Bovine, Mason, Carroll, Wright and Thomas. Wales: Sullivan (Wigan), Evans (Swinton), Lewis {St. Helens), Hurcombo (Halifax), Rhodes (Pontypridd), Caswell (Hull), Rees Swinton), Green (Pontypridd), Oliver (Pontypridd), Hodder (Wigan), Stephen:? (Wigan), Davis (Pontypridd) and Gore (Salford). Mr. Fairhurst, of Wigan, was referee. The Welsh team entered the field to the strains of " Men of Harlech," the Welsh national song. The New Zealanders followed and gave their war cry. Wales started brilliantly, Evans, Lewis and Caswell combining finely crossed the New Zealand line, but were recalled, owing to an infringement. The Welshmen continued to press the visitors sorely. Avery punted magnificently and relieved the pressure, but Sullivan returned well, enabling Evans, Lewis and Hnrcombe to combine in a fine passing run. Evans breaking in and taking a back pass tricked Delgrosso and scored, Sullivan failed to convert the try. Wales continued to press, and the New Zealanders rarely passed the half-way line, until, after a series of Davidson broke away and gave a perfectly judged pass to Delgrosso, who scored between the posts, and himself converted. The Welshmen attacked again, and Sullivan, fielding the ball beautifully, dropped a fine goal. From the kick off, owing to fumbling by the visitors, Gore intercepted and scored, Sullivan converting. The Welsh forwards were the better in the scrums, and gave their backs every opportunity, resulting in many fine rounds of passing. Gore again broke through the Now Zealand defence and passed to Evans, who scored a try. Delgrosso and Brisbane played wonderfully well behind a beaten pack, and defeated many attacks, but the Welsh threequarters were too smart. Lewis was prominent in a fine run, but failed to score. At half-time the scores were Wales . . .. .. .. 13 New Zealand 5 The visitors were penalised immediately after the interval, enabling Sullivan to kick an excellent goal. The Welshmen continued to have their own way, Gore scoring. A moment later Evans again scored, following a splendid passing round, begun ■ by Caswell. ! The Now Zealanders made desperate j efforts, the forwards passing well, and from a fast run Thomas went through and scored a try, which was not converted. Wales reasserted their supremacy, Hnrcombe scoring, and shortly afterwards Ilees broke away and sent Caswell in for a try, both being converted. Sullivan made another brilliant effort and scored in the last minute. PROFESSIONAL GAME. WALES CLUBS MAY TURN. ANTICIPATION AT HOME. (Received 5,5 p.m.) Sun. LONDON, Deo. 3. The clubs affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union are likely to turn professional and form a Welsh Rugby League to be affiliated to the Northern Union. This scheme • will be inaugurated in the autumn according to the Daily News. Although the names of the clubs concerned have not yet been disclosed, the grounds have already been engaged. The New Zealand League team's "international" match against Wales to-morrow is expected greatly to assist the Northern Union's propaganda for the development of the League game. The Rugby League's hush-hush policy regarding the views expressed in official Australian and New Zealand letters concerning the two years' qualification rule ! is distinctly regrettable, says the News. Whatever the Dominions think the League 1 clubs here will press for the removal of the ban. Wigan has already called a general meeting of the clubs to consider the matter,