LEAGUE RUGBY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12650, 10 January 1927, Page 7

LEAGUE RUGBY

NEW ZEALANDERS DEFEAT CUMBERLAND SPEED MAKES VICTORY EASY GARDINER PROMINENT By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 8. The New Zealand League team defeated Cumberland by 18 points to 3 in a match played at Workington in cold, tvet weather, before 3000 spectators. Cumberland in the first half played with a strong wind, but were only dangerous with forward rushes. The New Zealanders first mastered these forward movements and then assumed superiority. It mattered little if they were beaten in the scrums—they passed the ball on every opportunity. The quickness of their attacks bewildered Cumberland, wlto were penalised during a hot attack, and Gardiner kicked a goal. Soon after, Hall, with a fine burst of speed, scored a try which Gardiner com verted. Excellent passing resulted in Davidson

getting the next try, and Gardiner again converted. Gardiner himaelf scored the next try, but failed with the kick. The visitors in the second half ware less conspicuous, though they had the advantage of the wind. They seemed ta lack condition. Desmond scored their only try in this spell, and Thcxrnburton scored Cumberland’s try. New Zealand team was: Kirwan, Brown, Davidson, Cole, Desmond, Brisbane, Hall, Menzies, Thomas, Herring, Gardiner, Mason, Avery. GOING HOME VIA CANADA (Received January 9, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, January 8. The New Zealand League team will arrive in Canada on January 15th. It will visit the frozen Niagara, and also spend two days resting amid, the snow peaks of the Rockies, before sailing on the 29th from Vancouver, aboard the Tahiti.