FIRST TEST WON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22227, 30 September 1935, Page 11

FIRST TEST WON

GREAT LEAGUE MATCH

DEFEAT OF AUSTRALIA

HEW ZEALAND'S SUCCESS

MARGIN OF EIGHT POINTS

Honours in the first Rugby League test match went to New Zealand, which defeated Australia by 22 points to 14 in a thrilling game at Carlaw Park on Saturday. The weather was beautifully fine and there was an attendance estimated at 20,000. New Zealand's success against such a formidable combination came as a surprise to many, who expected Australia to win.

The New Zealand forwards played magnificent football, and outclassed the visitors in the loose. The vanguard flven handled to good advantage, and most of the tries came from good work by the forwards. The teams were as follows:

NEW ZEALAND Fullback. —A. E. Cooke. Threequarters. —L. Brown, W. Tittle, ton. E- T. Mincham. Five-eighths. —A. Kay, S. Prentice. Halfback. —11. Powell.

Forwards. —J. C'aldcr, L. Hutt, J. Laird, W. Glynn, C. Satherley, H. Tctler. AUSTRALIA Fullback. —L. Ward. Threequnrters.—R. Hines, D. Brown, \V. Mahoii, S. Goodwin. Five-eighth. —E. Norman. Halfback. —V. Thicknesse. Forwards; —F. Curran, P. Fairall, 11. Stehr,. S. Pearce, S. Gibbs, W. I'rigg. Australia won tho tons and New Zealand faced a strong sun. An exchange of kicks between Cooke ami Ward favoured the former, and New Zealand attacked strongly. Norman, however, snapped up smartly and mado a good opening, but Mahon fumbled a pass when a try looked certain. D. Brown failed at goal from a penalty, and the visitors' backs combined well when Thickness'* passed to Goodwin, who beat L. Brown badly and ssnt on to D. Brown, who scored for Australia. He failed to convert. Australia .. .. .• . • 3 New Zealand 0 Thrilling Exchanges The New Zealand forwards swept over the opposition in a great rush, and on the visitors.' line both sets of forwards were engaged in a thrilling encounter. A nice run by Mincham, on the wing, placed New Zealand in a good position. A few minutes later Kay and Prentice (successfully drove home the attack, and Calder and Glynn joined in, the last-named scoring near the posts. Satherley missed an easy kick Australia • 3 New Zealand 3 The Australian backs delighted with a nice passing bout, in which Norman and D. Brown were prominent. Hines made a determined dash, but Cooke saved with a fine, low tackle. Brilliant kicking by Cooke again saved the home team, and the New Zealand forwards curried play to tlio visitors' twentyfive. Australia was pressed, but Norjlian passed back to Ward, who found touch near halfway. Hutt was penalised and D. Brown kicked a fine goal. M Australia 5 /New Zealand 3 A great New Zealand offensive followed shortly afterwards L. Brown outpaced Goodwin and raced infield. He passed to Tetley and tho whole New Zealand pack fanned out in a splendid passing bout. Four forwards handled and Satherly sent on to Hutt, who raced over. Satherly converted. New Z ,3a ' ® Australia 5 A Good Save ■Led bv Curran, the Australian forwards attacked and Gibbs was pulled up for a forward pass. Tetley, who was often prominent, followed a short kick by Powell, and the visitors were hard pressed. A penalty gave Australia relief. On the terrace side Stehr forced his way past several home players and passed to D. Brown, who looked like scoring, but Hutt came fast, and stopped tho visitors' captain a yard from the New Zealand line. I hen Cooke paved the way for a brilliant try. He thrilled the crowd by running through b'aJf the visitors' team, and passed to Tetley, who lost the ball, and Kay divec! to touch down near the posts. Satherley converted. New Zealand 13 Australia 5 New Zealand was definitely on top and L. Brown snapped up a pass, dropped by Goodwin, and raced 40 yards to 'score a splendid try at the corner. Satherley failed to convert. Just before halif-tiihe Gibbs and Pearce penetrated deeply, but Cooke saved the home side with a nice line kick. Halftime cam? with the score: — New' Zealand 16 Australia The New Zealand forwards continued to harass the visitors. D. Brown made a fine run well into New Zealand s tvrentv-five, where Hines was checked by Cooke. From fullback Ward started a passing bout and I). Brown almost scored. L. Brown and Kay were prominent on attack, but a penalty checked the movement, and D. Brown kicked a fine goal .from 50 yards out. A few minutes later Brown again kicked a gcod penalty goal. New Zealand 16 Australia 9 improved Fcrm The visitors played improved football ami Curran and Pearce broke away. Thicknesse joined in the movement, but i). Brown missed the pass and lost a try. In some hard forward play a warning was issued to Stehr. The New Zealand forwards opened up the game great style and Calder raced past halfway. Glvnn and Hutt joined in and the backs gave excellent support. Kay cleverly beat Norman and Goodwin before passing to L Brown, who raced 01 cr to score in a good position. Minf'"''ani failed to convert. New Zealand . .. . . 19 Australia 9 The crowd cheered the homo team on and the visitors found the tackling sound. Goodwin gained useful ground a "d passed to Thicknesse, but L. Brown Recked Norman with a fine tackle. - v . n nd L, brown were associated in a wee fliovemont. Kay handled twice ®nd Brown showed great pace as he racecl post Hines and Ward to score ms third try wide out. Mineham's kick •bit the posts. New Zealand 22 Australia 9 Australia attacked and Norman made % ai^ e .°P° n ' n gr but held on too long. Goodwin, however, took the ball from Y'.vnn and swerved nicely past several defenders to score a line try. 1). Brown converted. The game ended amid great excitement with the score:— New Zealand 22 Australia 14 Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.