FAST ENCOUNTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22808, 16 August 1937, Page 14

FAST ENCOUNTER

NEW ZEALAND WINS Jj • . . AUSTRALIAN TEAM BEATEN MARGIN OF ONE POINT VISITING PLAYERS INJURED Carlaw Park was packed on Saturday for the second Rugby League test match between Australia and New Zealand, which was won by New Zealand by /16 points to 10. Weather and ground conditions were excellent. The honours, however, were with the Australians, for it was their unlucky day. Early in the game S. Pearce, ono 'of- their best forwards, broke his leg, and later J. Gibbs had tho misfortuno to break several ribs. R. Stehr and W. Prigg were each off for a time and Australia then played three short for several minutes. The visitors put up a gallant fight, but found the odds too great. In the closing stages of play Norman and McKinnon made a brilliant but fruitless elfort to save the game and the crowd was provided with a thrilling finish. New Zealand can be credited with an even', better • display than in the first test. The tackling of the forwards rattled the visitors, and the general play'showed improvement. Nepia was in great form and saved the home team by solid tackling. New Zealand's score comprised four tries and two goals, while Australia secured three tries and three goals. . Prime Minister Kicks Of! Among those present were the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, and the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W.'' Nash. Mr. .T. E. Redwood, president of the New' Zealand Rugby League Council, introduced the Ministers, who briefly spoke to the crowd through loud speakers, and extended a welcome and best wishes to tho Australians. Messrs. T?. E. Savage and H. Sunderland, co-managers, responded on behalf of the Australians. . The. Prime Minister, who received a hearty ovation, then shook hands with the players and kicked off. Australia won the ball from the ensuing scrum and Norman badly beat the defence, but Dawson was pulled down a few yards from tho New Zealand line. The home team was penalised and Beaton kicked a fine goal. Australia, 2; New Zealand, 0. Williams smartly sent Prigg nway and Dawson beat Kav,. but the home forwards worked their way back and Halloran cut-in and transferred to Tittleton, for Davison to take tho final pass and dive over at the corner. Davison's-kick at goal just missed. New Zealand, 3; Australia, 2. The visitors continued to hold the upper hand, and Pearce passed out to Beaton and Prigg. who easily beat Kay and sent the ball to McLean. Tittleton just missed the speedy winger, who scored a fine try. Beaton failed to convert..'

Australia, 5; New Zealand, 3,

Pearco Breaks His Leg

Australia was getting tlie ball from the scrums and McLean made another -- fine dash, until he was caught by Brodrick. Then Pearce suffered a broken leg. Xepia snapped up from the fast- " raiding Australian forwards, went V- down low, and Pearce crashed over r him. . Ward started McKinnon and ISorman on attack, but smart cover defence held up the movement. Brodrick was again prominent, and, getting the ball from Bickerton, he raced 40 yards before passing to Glynn, Tetley and Davison completing the movement for another try at the corner. Davison again failed to convert. New Zealand, 6; Australia, 5. Stehr was injured and retired for a - few minutes. The visitors were playing - -well,' and Norman followed a kick and, obtaining possession, beat Nepia, who. chased and caught him near the goal. Gibbs and Nolan were handy, •. however, and the latter scored near the posts. Beaton missed an easy kick. f Australia, 8; New Zealand, 6. The visitors then staged a brilliant offensive. Prigg and Stehr handled well and McLean took the ball at top speed

to outpace the home backs for a fine try. Williams converted, and half-time v: came with the scores: — Australia, 15; New Zealand, 6. ' The Second Spell Soon after the kick-off Davison had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty. Twice Nepia saved with excellent, kicking. Gibbs was forced to retire with rib injuries. Tctley opened up • " the game for New Zealand and a nice ,passing bout between Cootes, Glynn and Satherley enabled the last-named ... to. score. Nepia converted. Australia, 15; New Zealand, 11.

The home forwards now dominated the game and Brodrick and Cootes broke away. Tetley, however, missed badly and New Zealand lost a try. From two penalties Nepia gained 60 yards and several strong forward rushes were checked by Australia, both Williams ,and Norman proving very elusive. Halloran nearly scored a try, and Brodrick was pushed into touch. Naw Zealand in the Lead Brodrick thrilled the crowd with a great dash. His final pass to Glynn, however, was knocked on. From a penalty Nepia kicked a splendid goal from 40 yards out on the touch line. Australia, 15; New Zealand, 13. New Zealand attacked vigorously and good work by Cootes and Brodrick improved the position. Halloran cut in nicely and passed to Tittleton and Kay, who drew the defence cleverly and sent Bickerton over for a try. Nepia failed to convert. New Zealand, 16; Australia, 15. Prigg was forced to retire with an injured shoulder, but came back to assist his team. The visitors were now faced with an uphill battle and only splendid defence kept the home team out. Brodrick went close to scoring, but a Scrum was ordered on the visitors' line. A few minutes before time Norman made a brilliant opening and the crowd had anxious moments when Mc-

Kinnon burst through. However, Nepia gaved splendidly andtho game ended: — New Zealand- 16 Australia 15 Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

/ TEAM FAREWELI.ED

PRESENTATIONS TO VISITORS

Prior to the departure of the Aus- ■ -tralisn Rutjby League team by the Araiva on Saturday evening, Mr. \j. E. Redwood, president of the New Zealand Rugby League, presented rugs to ..-the two managers of the touring team, ; . Messrs. R. K. Savage and H. Sunder«,iland. Mr. W. O. Carlaw, secretary, handed to each of the Australian players a silver fern, the gift of the New . ..Zealand League. There was a largo crowd on the wharf to bid farewell to the Kangaroos. Streamers _of the Australian colours were exchanged between plavers on the boat and friends on the wfiarf. There was loud cheering when S. Pearce, the forward who had broken his leg .earlier in the day, was carried up the gan<r- ' way on a stretcher. Just prior to tlie '• r,departure of the boat the Australians oupon G. Nepia for a song and run. 6 °f his Maori colleagues readily, obliged.