LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20487, 12 February 1930, Page 17

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLANDERS IN ENGLAND. A great duel between Lou Brown and 11. Ilardgrave was a feature of the League football match between Wigan and St. Helens on Boxing Day, and English papers favourably comment on the form of the .brilliant New Zealanders. Twenty thousand spectators saw St. Helens, which included the Aucklanders, llarilgrave, liutt and Hall, defeat Wigan by 14 points to 5. Brown and Ilardgrave had a groat battle, which was only marred by an unpleasant incident in which Brown was the "offender. Describing the incident an English paper says:—llardgrave got a bad bump from Brown, who deliberately turned his back and charged liardgravo down. The I New' Zoalander was injured. Hard grave, I however, did rio questionable work in return, lie beat Brown by sijeed, skill and football brains. The St. Helens wing did some brilliant work on attack, and six times raced 60yds., only to just miss scoring. Brown scored Wigan's only try. Hardgrave's success over Brown was mentioned in another paper, and at the conclusion of the game Brown was first to congratulate his fellow countryman, j Tlio unfortunate incident was soon forgotten, aiifl this pair left the ground arm in arm. This sportsmanship is rarely seen in professional football in England, concluded the critic. Hull, was also given credit for a splendid game. The- ex-Pohsonby forward, ltT spite of reports of injuries to his ribs, was the outstanding player, and one paper claims Halt to be the fastest and best type of front row forward seen in England. It is interesting to note that this was St. Helens' first win over Wigan for ten years, and the Now Zealamlers had a lot to do with the victory.