RUGBY LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19238, 31 July 1924, Page 11

RUGBY LEAGUE.

ENGLISHMEN DEFEAT AUCKLAND. {Pbb Ukited Push# Absociathvj,) AUCKLAND, July 50. The English League footballers defeated Auckland province bv 28 points to 13. Tho ground was rather soft in places, but the ball remained dry, and the conditions were favourable for good open passing, such as the visitors specialise in. Tho attendance was 7000. Wilson, of Waikato, was not available, M'Donald taking his place in the scrum. , It was apparent from the start that tho visitors would require to exert all tneir cleverness in attack to emerge victorious. The provincial forwards, playing with hue dash, got among the opposing hacks, and for a considerable time broke up tneir combination. Passes were missed or went forward, and the visitors were penned in their twenty-five. Tho first, score went to Auckland as tho result of snappy passing. The Englishmen eventually got their back machine moving, and made try-gelling e;:sy for a time. The second spell was very strenuous, and each side added 8 points, but; in general play tho province had rather the better of matters. They were attacking hard at the finish. The visitors were without Parkin, who is a past, master >it making openings, but Mooney filled the position of scrum half right royally. A feature of tho game was the scrum work of the provincial forwards. They were better at hooking than the visitors, and the local backs got a good share of the bail. As a result there was hot work in front of tho visitors’ goal. Seven minutes after the start the Auckland backs got moving from the loose. M'Clvmonf. Wotherall, and Brisbane bandied in turn, and the last-named scored nt the corner. Dufty failed to convert. In a passing bout bv the Auckland hacks Brisbane was almost, over again, but a forward pass spoiled the movement. Gronow kicked a penalty. Play continued fast, both sides throwing the ball about in good style. It was noticeable that the visitors were not so sure in handling as on Saturday. The tackling of the urovincial nlayors. however, was very sound. After play in midfield Gronow had on unsuccessful shot po-al. was then turned into attack for the Englishmen. In dramatic style Mooney broke a wav in bis own twenty-five, and nt the full back Rix took a pass and scored. Gronow converted. Immediately after another try wont to the visitors. Benham making an opening and passing to Howlov. who scored. Gronow converted. Shortly afterwards Harwell scored, and, from a penalty, Dufty goaded. Just before half time Gronow received a para ..near the lino and scored a try, which was converted. England 20 points. Auckland 5 points. In (he second spell, from the loose, Johnston picked up and scored, Dufty converting The province again scored, Wotherall sending to O’Brien, Lang, and Delgrosso. who scored an unconverted try. Several nasaing rushes of the visitors were stopped by good tackling. A long swell of strenuous play followed. Thru the English backs got going, tho ball going to Benlbam. who passed to RD, who scored an unconverted try. Several passing nns by the visitors were spoiled by offside play, bid Duftv misfielded a lone k'fk and let, the English forwards in. Price took a pass near the line, and scored. Gronow converting. Strenuous play with dnsbea on both sides mark ad the concluding stage? of (lie game, which endcu: England 28 points. Auckland 13 points. ITINER ARY AMENDED. The original intention of the English Rugby League team to split at Wellington, one half of its members travelling to Dun edin and the remainder to Greymouth. has had to bo abandoned. Several of the 27 members of the team have sustained injuries in recent games, rendering it impossible to play both matches on the same day. As originally intended, the test match will take place on August 9, but, the Greymouth match will be played on August 13. 'the following Wednesday. Tho English party, numbering 35, and the New Zealand party, comprising 18 members, will arrivo here on Ihursday next, the former being stationed at, the Excelsior Hotel and the latter at tho Gridiron, FIRST TEST MATCH. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. (Peb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. July 30. The following will represent New Zealand in tho first League test against lingland on Saturday; Full-back, Dufty; threequarters —Stewart, Brisbane, Gilroy; five-eighths—Fitzgerald and Wotherall; half M'Clvmont; forwards O’Brien, Lowry, Honing, Monatt, Te What a, Avery. Reserves.—Forwards: M'Donald, Ross, Douglas. Backs: Delgrosso, J. Lang, and Poison. COMPLICATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH. USE OF SHOWGROUND REFUSED. (Pkb United Pbkss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. July 30. At a mooting of the General Committee of the Canterbury A. and P. Association on July 9 it wa> decided, on Mr W. Hayward’s motion, to Inform tho Rugby Union (hat tho association would require the Addington Showgrounds on August 16 In moving the motion, Mr Hayward said that ho did so as n potest against the union's action in refusing the use of tho Showgrounds for tho Rugby League match with the visiting 'English team fixed foP August 16. . At a special meeting of the committee today legal opinion was submitted on the lease between the association and the union, and as n result tiho resolution arrived at on Julv 9 was rescinded. The meeting* was not open to the press.