FOOTBALL TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 9

FOOTBALL TEST

FINAL LEAGUE MATCIs ENGLAND BEATS AUSTRALIA MARGIN OF FIVE POINTS WINNERS SUPERIOR ALL ROUND By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 19. 6.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 18 England demonstrated its Rugby League supremacy in no uncertain manner by defeating Australia by 12 points to 7 in the third test match. The victors received the Goodwill Cup presented by Mr. R. 0. Courtney, of Christchurch, both teams lining up round the beflagged dais. England was definitely superior in all phases, completely answering all challenges regarding its first test inferiority. Injuries then prevented England from fielding its strongest team. Meanwhile it had built up combination and won the second test on a heavy ground at Brisbane. The Australian selectors made the mistake of abandoning the policy of specialists in skill and pace, adopting instead a policy to match the front row strength of the visitors. The inclusion of Madsen, who is 38 years old, and was hooking for the first time, made no difference to England's winning the scrums. England Wins Scrums With a feast of the ball. England's backs gave a display of safe artistry, thoroughly deserving the "ashes." Another Australian mistake was the inclusion of Norman, usually a fiveeighths, as centre. He was gallant but futile because he could not penetrate. The teams were:— England.—Bolshaw, Edwards, Risman (captain), Brogden, Hudson, Jenkins, Watkins, Beverley, Arkwright, Hodgson, Woods, Armitt, Silcock. Australia.—Beaton, Ridley, Brown, Norman, Crippin, Hey, Gilbert, Prigg, Pearce, Heidke, Stehr, Madsen, Curran. There was an attendance of 53,546 spectators. The gate takings were £4299.

The conditions favoured the typically » open Australian play. The weather was sunny with a gusty wind and the turf was firm. Australia played with the wind in the first spell. Brown Misses Goals It was early evident that Australia would be unable to penetrate. There were few combined movements owing to much spoiling work. Brown failed at goal from several penalties. Hodgson, Arkwright and Curran were cautioned although the play was not unduly rough. Brown opened the scoring from the seventh penalty half-way through th§ first spell. Jenkins varied the attack, cutting through in passing bouts. His short punts puzzled the home backs. Following the ordering-olf of Stehr and Arkwright, Hudson scored from a cross-kick. Hodgson converted. At halftime the score was:— England . . 5 Australia 2 Jenkins sent Brogden over for an easy try. Hodgson converted, giving England a winning lead. Hodgson then kicked a field goal. Hey scored a try for Australia, Brown converting. England was never endangered. The final score was:— England 12 Australia . . 7

On its present tour of Australia the English team lias played 16 matches, of which it has won 13 and lost 3. The visitors lost their first test at Sydney by 24 points to 8 and won the second, at Brisbane, by 12 points to 7, the same score as that in Saturday's contest. The team has scored 365 points and has had 190 registered against it. The final match of the Australian tour will be played to-day against a Group 10 team at Lithgow.

TEAM PRAISED SOUND METHODS PREVAIL MANAGER'S CABLEGRAM (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 19 The Sunday newspapers give England full credit for yesterday's victory over xVustralia. The Sun football critic, Mr. Claude Corbett, says that the Englishmen's methods on attack and defence are sound and more suited to test football than those of Australia. The manager of the English team, Mr. P. F. Anderton, sent a brief sage to Mr. J. Wilson, secretary of the English Rugby League: "England twelve, Australia seven. Are we any good?"

NEW ZEALAND TOUR MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND HOME TEAM SELECTED The, English team will open its New Zealand tour with a match against Auckland at Car law Park next Saturday. Mr. H. Averv, sole selector to the Auckland Rugby League, has chosen the following players to represent Auckland: — Fullback.—C. Dempsey. Threequarters.—L. Brown, W. Tittleton, R. Bright. Five-eighths.—W. Stockley, A. Kay. Half-back.—lt. Powell. Forwards. —A. Gault, J. Satherley, J. Breed, S. Watene, F. Pickrang, H. Tetley. The team will meet at Carlaw Park at five o'clock to-morrow and bo coached by the former international, A. E. Cooke. The team appears to be a fairly strong one but the defence of the five-eighths may be found wanting against the strong English side. The omission of L. Schultz, who is in fine form at present, and R. Haslain, comes as a surprise. The forwards have all earned their places and it is pleasing to see Breed, one of the most improved forwards in the game, gain his placo. Flanagan is unlucky to nnss selection as hooker. There will be no replacements in any of the matches against England. The English team will play eight matches in New Zealand. There will two test matches at Carlaw Park, the first on August 8 and the second on the following Saturday.