LEAGUE FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19509, 13 December 1926, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALLERS.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM BEATEN. EASY VICTORY FOR WIGAN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 11. Wigan defeated the New Zealand League football team by 36 points to-15. The attendance was 8000, and they saw Wigan inflict one of the heaviest defeats the New Zealand team has sustained. The New Zealand team was:— Gregory, Brown, Davidson, Kirwan, Gardiner, Brisbane, Webb, Henry, Carroll, Singe, Herring, Peterson and Avery. It was a keen and fast gam'e. There were only two points between the teams at the interval. The New Zealandars were handicapped in the second half, for after Avery placed them in the lead again Gregory had to retire with a twisted knee, while Kirwan retired with injuries to the head. Neither player returned.

The game opened sensationally, two tries being scored in the first four minutes. Herring scored first for New Zealand after brilliant play by Davidson. Brown (Wigan) replied immediately. Then Bing ran strongly, Abrams scoring.

Brown then scored a try for the New Zealanders, after which Ring equalised. Later Parker received from the South African, Booysen, and scored a try, giving Wigan the lead. Davidson (New Zealand) and Ring (Wigan) ,then scored tries. Even play followed until Webb took a good pass from Davidson, beat the Wigan defence and- again crossed. Up till now no try had been converted, and the first goal was scored when Sullivan kicked a penalty goal. At the interval the store was:—Wigan, 14; New Zealand, 12. On resuming Avery immediately gave New Zealand the lead with a try. Parker soon re-established the lead with a try for Wigan. Then the home team went right away. Sullivan, Owens and Price scored two tries each and Sullivan converted two. The fiual score was:— Wigan, 36; New Zealand, 15.