HARD LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22493, 10 August 1936, Page 12

HARD LEAGUE

FIEST TEST MATCH ENGLISH TEAM WINS TEN POINTS AGAINST EIGHT NEW ZEALAND'S GOOD FIGHT A hard and close Pughy League game was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when England defeated New Zealand by 10 points to S in the first test match. Play was not spectacular owing to the splendid defence by both teams. Tho, backs rarely opened up nice passing bouts many of which were effectively checked round the scrum. The English forwards won the ball consistently from tho set scrums, but in the loose thi New Zealand vanguard beat the visitors. Fine play by the home forwards was a feature of the game which was played in a splendid spirit.

New Zealand, which led at half-time by two points to nil, way unlucky not to score two trios. Prior to the kickoff both teams were photographed with the Courtney Goodwill Trophy, which has been won by England. The weather was fine, and the attendance estimated at 22,000. The teams were as follows: — NEW ZEALAND Fullback. —J. Heun. Threequarters.—L. Scott, W. Tittleton, L. Brown. Five-eighths.—A. Kay, T. Trevathan. Halfback.—P. Powell. Forwards. —W. McNeight, \Y. Glvun, J. Calder. J. Cootcs, F. Pickrang, S. .Wateno (captain). ENGLAND Fullback.—W. Belshaw Threecjuarters.—A. S. Edwards. A. J. Ri.smnn (captain), S. Brogden, B. Hudson. Halfbacks. —W. Watkins. E. Jenkins. Forwards. —T. Armitt, H. Field, J. H. Woods, J. Miller, M. Hodgson, L. A. Troup. New Zealand Attacks New Zealand was first to attack when Brown passed to Watene and McNeight was tackled in England's twentvtive., Fine play by Belshaw got England out of a difficult position after the New Zealand forwards pressed hard. Two penalty kicks were missed bv Hemi, who nppoared nervous. The New Zealand torwards continued to harass the visitors and the crowd was excited when Pickrang broke away, but Powell was smothered when a try looked passible Now Zealand again attacked and Watene snapped up in the loose. Passing between Powell, Tittleton and Brown saw the last-named pushed into touch by P ism an a few feet from England's goal. The visitors wero frequently penalised and Hemi again missed a penalty kick.

A few minutes later, tho English backs started the first good passing bout and Watkins cut in nicely past Trevathan and passed to Risman. Hudson raced into tho movement and badly beat Hemi, but Kay came fast from behind and tackled the English wing a yard from New Zealand's line. Watene ■was caught offside and Hodgson failed to goal. An exchange of kicks between Hemi and Belshaw favoured the latter and for a few minutes the play was uninteresting. A Try Lost Pickrang repeatedly led the home forwards, who did fine work in the loose. England tried desperately to open up the game, but quick covering by the New Zealand forwards checked the elusive Jenkins. A few minutes later, however, Watkins sent Jenkins away, but a pass to Edwards from Risman ■was knocked on and England missed a try. New Zealand's hopes were raised when Pickrang received from Powell. McNeight. Calder and Watene joined in and when Cootes looked certain to score Edwards showed amazing speed and knocked the final pass from Watene in the air. Watkins started a passing bout and sent Jenkins away. Immediately the movement started Mr. M. Wetherill, the line umpire, ran on the ground for an alleged obstruction. Jenkins passed to Risman and Brogden gave Hemi a perfect "dummy," but tho try was not allowed, owing to the infringement at tho start of the movement. After Watene had missed one goal tho New Zealand captain opened the score with a nice kick. Half-time came with the score: — New Zealand * 2 England ... . • . .... 0 England attacked strongly from the kick-off and Belshaw raced from fullback and passed to Edwards, who dropped the ball when a try looked likely. The visitors' backs could do nothing right and nice movements broke down through uncertain handling Then came the first try of the match. From a scrum near half-way Watkins passed to Jenkins, who drew Kay before passing to Brogden and Risman, and Edwards raced over at the corner. Risman failed to convert. England "New Zealand ...... A fine line-kick by Watene improved New Zealand's position, and England fought hard to keep its line intact. England was penalised, and Watene ga've New Zealand the lead with a nice goal. New Zealand 4 England A

Tho deficit was wiped out a few minutes later, when Hodgson kicked a magnificent goal. England 5 New Zealand 4 England was penalised twice and the visitors appeared perplexed at the clecisions. From a set scrum Watkins passed to Jenkins, who badly bent Trevathan, and went on to score a brilliant try. Hodgson missed an easy goal. England . . . . « • • • 8 New Zealand . . . • • • 4 Splendid Save The New Zealand forwards continued to do good work and Watene and Cootes broke away, supported by Calder, but Bolshaw saved splendidly. Again England was penalised and Watene kicked a nico goal. England ... 8 Npw Zealand 6 Tho home team bustled Hudson, who kicked weakly, and ('aider went close to scoring. Play, however, favoured the visitors, and Watkins and Jenkins flit! good work on attark. A penalty against Watene for olf-sido play resulted in Hodgson kicking a line goal England 10 New Zealand 6 New Zealand fought desperately to save the game and Kay raced back to half-way with Powell in support. The half-back, however, was smothered by Troup. Belshaw drove the homo team hark with a good line kick, but Brown carried play to England's twenty-five. From a set scrum right in Front of England's coal Powell passed to Trovathan. who kicked a neat field goal. Tho game ended immediately, the final score being:— England . . . . ~ . . 10 New Zealand 8 Mr. P. Rogers was referee.