BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20570, 22 May 1930, Page 14

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

WIN IN OPENING GAME.

iWANGANUI SIDE DEFEATED.

NINETEEN POINTS TO THREE

BONNER RETIRES INJURED

[BY TELEGRAPH.— ATHLETIC REPORTER.] WAN'GANUI. "Wednesday.

Tho British Rugby team made an auspicious opening of its P'.v Zealand toui bv defeating Wanganui this afternoon by 19 points to 3. Tho visitors played one man short ■* practically throughout the .second spell, as Bonner, their fullback, retired soon after the interval with a cut 'on an eyebrow. The match was played at Cook's Gardens, where a crowd estimated at slightly under IO.OQO lined the terraces. The ground was iieavv after rain overnight and in the morning, but no showers fell dining the progress of the play. The teams-were as follows: — BRITAIN. Fullback.—G. M. Bonner (England). Threequarters.—J. G. Morley (Wales), C. I). Aarvold (England), T. G. Knowles (England), A. L. Novis (England). Halves.—W. 11. Sobey (England), If. M. Boucott (Wales). Forwards. —W. B. Welsh (Scotland), S. A. Martindalo (England), D. A. Kendrew (England), J. L. I'arreli (Ireland), B. TI. Black (England), 11. Ilew (England), G. 1!. Beamish (Ireland), Ivor Jones (Wales). WAN CAN LI. Fullback.—Thompson. Threequarters.—Tillev, Ambrose and Prince. Five-Eighths.—McLennan, Gibbons. Half. —Duncan. Forwards.—Walden, Leahy, Locket t. O.vloy, Stewart, lleise, Ltimsden, Lowry. Tho Britishers raced on to the field to the accompaniment of loud cheering. The Wanganui team marched on in approved New Zealanjl style. There was 110 exchange of cheers prior to the kick-off. Britain won the toss and played with the wind and sun. Bonner failed to take a long kick-off and the ball went into touch near the corrter flag. The British forwards broke away from the line-out and two penalties against tho Wanganui wingforward s.ent play to midfield, whero Black had a shot, from 10yds. beyond the halfway line. Tho ball went wide. First Score of Tour. Aarvold and Novis were prominent in a British passing bout, which was met with sound tackling. Black took a mark just beyond tho Wanganui twenty-five, near the touch-line. Ho placed the ball for a shot, at goal, but kicked it straight over to where his forwards were lined up. Jones took the ball and potted a goal. Britain 4 Wanganui 0 Another scrum breach by the home team saw Black fail with a shot from a foot over half-way, Wanganui forcing down. Walden and Tilley intercepted in a British back rush and gained a lot of ground which, however, was lost through tho wingforward getting off-side. Then Tilley failed at goal from Wanganui's second free-kick, hut ho had the wind to contend with. Off-side against Wanganui saw Bonner gain 40yds. of ground. A loose scrum followed the line-out, Sobey setting bis backs going. Bowcott 41 dummied" past two men before passing to Knowles, who sent out a high transfer to Aarvold. Tho last-named took the ball nicely and scored fairly well out. Jones converted. Britain . . . / 9 Wanganui 0 A promising Wanganui forward rush beat Bonner, but Stewart got offside and spoiled tho movement. Britain hooked the ball from a scrum nl tlie Wfiiignnui twenty-five and it went back to Knowles, who found touch two or three vards' from tiie corner flag. A British passing rush ensued but broke down, onablin" Ambrose arid Tilley to break clear. The visiting backs showed too much pace, however, and smothered the movement. Excitement was created as tho Wanganui ! forwards swept downfiehl. Ox lev dived 011 the ball over tho line, but a breach had been committed and a scrum was ordered near the visitors' line. 1 British Backs Worried. I

The home forwards again dribbled the hall to the front of tile British goal, where Bowcott ran behind his lino and Eared. Ihe l ' Wanganui forwards infused pieiitv of dash into their work in the loose, worrying the opposing hacks. The home team was attacking when (he British backs started passing in front of their goal and reached half-way. Then another rush was started hy Morley, the ball travelling quickly across to Novis, who displayed great speed in crossing wide out. Jones kicked a splendid goal. Britain *. r. 14 Wanganni . . . . . . 0 Half-time was called shortly afterWards without any addition to the score. Wanganui evidently intended to make Klie most- of the- wind in the second half, as just after the opening Walden forced the visitors with a kick from outside his 'twenty-five. The British forwards were lining their feet more now they were .'facing the wind. Novis got full speed on in a passing rush, but Thompson tackled him safely. The crowd was brought to its feet when Tilley broke snvay after picking up following a brejl;•flown in a British passing rush. Tilley shook off three, would-be tadders before Bonner raced after liiin and brought him "to earth. (Jood support was forthcoming and the ball was Licked out to McLennan, who crossed at the corner ramid treiiiendfiti'i enlhusiasm. Ihe •cheering was renewed when Gibbons •appeared to kick a great goal. The. ireferee subsequently disallowed the goal, 'although both line umpires. K. I'. l'ren-; itice, the British captain, who stood down I iliocause of a minor injury, and a member j •t>( tho Wanganui Iteferees' Association . 'signalised a goal. Wanganui man, ! .'however, hastened to tell the rel'eieo lliatj •the ball had curled just prior to reaching' '■the post. Britain . . . . . . | 1 Wanganui . . . . . . 3 Bonner sustained a cut over the eve ' ■Jiiid retired, Welsh going to fullback. I .'Martindalo was temporarily winded a 'moment later. 'lborepson twice checked | Irushes by the- opposing forwards inside : ibis own t wcnly-li\c Then he gained ! luearly forly yards with a hue kick. ! tSSobey was the next, licitishcr to sustain j tan injury, hurting a cartilage of his j Ikrifte. Novis received the ball going at, j Hop, but 1 hompson was again equal to I 'the occasion. Morley next made a dashing run, buf ' this pass went- astray and the Wanuanui j (forwards, headed by Hei.se. rushed to 1 .tho opposing twenty five. Then the. iWangauui winger was penalised, however, but. .lone.; missed the shot from a Uittle beyond the I went y-live. A Fine Movement. 'J he Wanganui forwards were piaviug '(Well at this stage and gave tho visitors n busy time defending. .Jones set the 1 "neks going and the ball 1 ruvell -d to [Howeott, bark.'to Jones. Aarvold ami JMorley, the last-named finishing a great jnoveiiwnt i 111 ;i try nonr Ihe c•<»r:i«• i*. JJones kicked a magnificent goal :i gainst itho wind. Britain . . . . . . 19 Wanganui 3 The visiting backs got out of a tight Scorn*'- by pausing in their own twoiitvfive. Morley and Novis made speedy dash.es and tin; ball was taken to the ppposito twenty-five. Play was in midfield when the whistlo sounded. Mr. H. J, McKenzic was referee.