ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16113, 30 June 1914, Page 5

ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS

SECOND TEST MATCH.

A WIN FOR AUSTRALIA

Piim AtaociaUon—Bj Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 29/

(Received June ij9 3 at 6.30 p.m.)

The second test match at football between England and Australia under Northern Union rule 3 reversed Saturday's result. It was played in brilliant weather, and the ground was hard —just such conditions as * Australian supporters would •wish for. The home team was strengthened by the acquisition of six new players.

The Australians opened with determined rushes into the visitors' territory, but were unable to break the solid defence offered. Even play followed, until Australia was awarded a penalty kick close to the opposition goal, but the kicker failed to score. Qlever tactics on the part of the Englishment. swept the play down the field, and the locals were penalised. Rogers placed*! a goal to the credit of the visitors. The solid combination and speed of' England's forwards again outclassed the .Australians, and the attackers were awarded a penalty kick, from "which Rogers scored. In spite of alterations in the team the Australians were not handling the ball with the same facility as the visitors, who came through the home defence with machine-like precision, Coldrick further increasing the fcore by a try, which Rogers failed to convert. Eager, and determined tackling led the visitors'to be penalised in midfield, wherefrom Messenger scored. Within the last few minutes of the first ! half an exciting melee occurred in front of England's goal, -the outcome of which was a try for the home side to Frazer's credit, and Messenger converted. Halftime scores:— . England 7 points. Australia ... 7 points. In the early stages -of the second half the Australians pressed hard forward, but the visitors sa*ed Wonderfully. At this stage Robinson dislocated his arm and retired, and the Englishmen were subsequently playing a man short just at a critical stage. The visitors were continually penalised, but managed to hold their own in face of long odds. However, their defence was eventually broken down by persistent rushes, Burge scoring a splendid try, which Messenger converted. With the jtjame against them, the English pack began to lose their dash and resourcefulness, and the concluding stages of the game -were uninteresting, though marked by occasional spu'Hs. The Australian forwards were only prevented ironi scoring by the solidity of England's backs. Final score:—

Australia. ... ... 12 points. England ... .7 points. (Received June 29, at 9.30 p.m.)

The attendance at. the football match totalled 52,000j The goal-kicking competition was won ,by Australia. Out of four tries Messenger landed three and Horder two. For the Englishmen, Gucrin and Wood scored only one each.