LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. DEFEATED BY Y.S. WALES. SEVEN POINTS TO FOUR. Piess A»aociation—By Telegraph — Copyright. SYDNEY, July 12. (Received July 18, at 5.5 p.m.) •The New Zealand Rugby League team, though lefeatei by 7 points to 4, won all the honours in a hard and rugged conflict with New South Wales in the presence of 25,000 people. The Blacks vanguard gave a fine exhibition throughout the contest, but the backs were unable to finalise the forwards’ good work when the critical moment arrived. Though only one try was registered the New Zealanders should have crossed the New South Wales line several times; in fact, they did on two occasions, but bleaches extricated the Blues from awkward situations. The visitors deputed Brown to bottle-up the New South Wales star winger Wearing, and Brown succeeded admirably. The visitor tackled his vis-a-vis determinedly whenever the latter touched the leather. O’Rourke, instead of transferring to the wing, cut in smartly on one occasion, leaving D'ufty to contemplate Wearing, who was expected to receive the ball, bat who did not. Apart from this error, for which the most brilliant full backs could be pardoned, Dufty gave a sterling display, his powerful line kicking and deadly tackling being reminiscent of the doughty English full back, Sullivan, who toured Australia and Now Zealand in 1924. Wearing converted O’Rourke’s try, and then T.aing (Now Zealand) in quick succession landed two penalty goals. At the interval the scores were: New South Wales 5 points. New Zealand 4 points. Dunworth was carried from the field owing to slight concussion, Hayes replacing nim. Dclgrosso (New Zealand) injured his right arm, but continued playing. After the spell Delgorsso decided not to resume, and, following a brief conference between Mr Latta and the Now South Wales selectors, Parkers was allowed to replace him. ~ ~ Play in the second spell was decidedly open, but not brilliant, m consequence of effective tackling on both sides. Mouatt, O’Brien, and Avery shone in all-conquenng invasions to the Now South - Wales goal area, but faulty handling checked each movement. The Blues apparently felt a beaten side, and certainly they played like one, their customary enterprise and sparkle wilting under the determined spoiling tactics of the visitors. A penalty for an illegal tackle was converted into a goal by Wearing Into in the second half, Baing subsequently failing with a comparative!” easy penalty kick in' his opponents’ twenty-five. iho Blacks electrified the spectators with a brilliant three-quarter rush just on time, but a knock-on near the line spoilt a certain try. With a ,: ttle polish the visitors are expected to turn the tables in the future. SATURDAY’S GAMES. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS A v. PACIFIC A. The match Christian Brothers A v. Pacific A, which was played at Chisholm Park, resulted in a win for Christian Brothers by 15 points to 6. Owing to its sandy nature the ground was in fairly good condition, and it was not till play had been in progress for some time that the ball became greasy. The teams were fairly well matched, but the Greens wore slightly heavier than the Pacific men. The Pacific team has improved considerably, and it put up a very good defence against the Greens, and prevented their scoring more points than would have otherwise been the case. Fairly early in the game Findlay, the Pacific half-back, received a kick in the back, and withdrew. Brien (wing) took his place, Freeman occupying the position on the wing during the second half. Pacific kicked off, and immediately pressed to the attack. Following a scrum in midfield, the Greens started a passing rush, which was spoiled by a knock-on. The Greens still pressed and gradually worked play to the White’ comer, and, following a scrum, the Christian Brothers forwards started good passing, but Sltrode (full-back) knocked-on when in a scoring position. Findlay marked well, but the kick did not relievo the position much for the Whites, who were still hard pressed. Following a scrum the Greens passed well, and O’Connor secured a fine try, but Strodo’s kick just missed. Christian Brothers 5, Pacific nil. A little later the Whites were awarded a free kick for a Green knock-on, but play still remained in midfield. Following a scrum in their own twenty-five Pacific attacked, but the Greens’ defence remained sound. The Whites maintained their attack, and after a scrum in the Green’s comer the situation looked dangerous for Christian Brothers Play continued in the Greens’ territory for some time, and, following a scrum, the situation was saved for Christian Brothers by the ball going out of play. Almost ini mediately the Whites set up a strong attack and Potter secured a try, but Smith failed to convert. Christian Brothers 3, Pacific 3. Cusack then passed the ball out smartly from a scrum and initiated a pass ing rush, which resulted in Holloway scoring at the corner. Strode’s kick failed. Christian Brothers 6, Pacific 3. On commencing the second spoil tho Whites took up tho attack, and, after a scramble in the Greens’ twenty-five, Potter scored, but Smith did not convert. Christian Brothers 6, Pacific 6. Tho Whites again pressed to the attack, and, after an exciting struggle, tho Greens eventually repelled their opponents. The Greens then rushed to the attack, and J. M’Kowon got across, but Strode failed to convert. Christian Brothers 9, Pacific 6 A good passing rush by tho Greens was spoilt by fumbling at the wing. The Greens kept up the attack, but Pacific defended well. Pacific then attacked, and transferred play to the Green twenty-five, and tho situation was saved for Christian Brothers by Stfodo forcing down. A rush led by Cusack looked dangerous for the Whites, but sound defence relieved. Davis made a fine run up the field, but Ousack collared him and prevented a certain score. A rush by the Green pack ended in Fitzgerald passing to J. MTCowen, who eluded several opponents and scored. Donnelly’s kick failed. Christian Brothers 12, Pacific 6. The Greens again attacked, and follcrtving a scrum near the line, Ousack feinted cleverly and secured a fine try. Holloway failed to convert. Christian Brothers 15, Pacific 6. The Greens continued the attack, and the game ended - Christian Brothers ... 15 points. Pacific 6 points. Mr C. Snow was the referee. CITY A v. KAITANGATA. City A gained an easy victory over Knitangata on the Oval, tho score being 55 to 3. JLhe ground was in a bad state at tho start of tho match, and frequent showers made conditions worse as the game progressed. ..ithongh hampered greatly by the groasiness of the ball and of the ground, the players gave a good display, and Kaitangata once or twice were unfortunate in not adding to their score. Kaitangata kicked off against a light wind, and carried play Up the field. Eck hoff secured from the loose, however, and passed to Hunt, who scored an easy try under the posts in tho first two minutes of tho game. Eckhoff converted. City 5. Kaitangata nil. City again took play into the Kaitangata territory, the rush ending in an unsuccessful pot at goal by Watson. Kaitangata rallied, and J. and T. Crook were prominent in a rush, Eckhoff saving by kicking into touch. City got possession, and carried play to midfield, where Kaitangata received a penalty for a pass forward hr a Citv placer. City wonid not bo denied, and carried play into their opponents’ twenty-five, and Kaitangata had to force down. J, Crook got away and led a rush into City territory, but City soon obtained possession and returned the play to the Kaitangata twentyfive, the rush resulting in Kaitangata again having to force down. From a scramble near the lino Taifc got over. Watson’s kick missed. City, 8; Kaitangata, nil. Plav at midfield followed for a time, but Eokhoff took the greasy ball smartly with one -hand and transferred to Tait, who passed to Crossan, the latter scoring near the posts. Clvdesdale’s kick was successful. City, 13; Kaitangata, nil. From the kick-off Kaitangata got away in good stylo, but a knock-on enabled City to got tho upper hand avain, and some fine plav resulted in A. Watt getting across. Clydesdale’s lock went wide. City, 16 • Kaitangata. nil. From midfield a dribbling rush by Kaitangata, ending in a penalty, looked dangerous, but Smith’s pot at goal failed, and City took possession, carrying plav well back into the Knitnngitn twenty-five Vnilowing a force down, n mis-ki'-k hv Thomas (Kaitangata! went behind his own line, where Watson fell on the ball. Watson took the kick, biit failed to add to the score. Citv. 19; Kaitangata. nil. Kaitangata made another good effort from the kick-off, carrying plav well into City territory, where, after a hard struggle near the comer, T, Crook got across and registered the first

score for Kaitangata. J. Crook took the kick, but tho ball -went astray. City, 19; Kantangata, 3. City appeared to bo in good form on resuming after half-time, and play continued to bo open and interesting, the smart handling of tho greasy hall being a feature of tho game. From give-and-take play City instituted a line rush, in wliich most of the backs handled tho ball. Kaitangata being beaten all the way- Crossan got the try, and Clydesdale’s kick went wide. City, 22; Kaitangata, 3- Almost immediately City were back in the Kaitangata twentyfivo, where Eckhoff “ gave the dummy ” and scored near tho posts, adding the extra points himself. City, 27: Kaitangata, _3. From midfield a rush by Kaitangata earned play well into City territory, but Watson broke through, and transferred to Hunt, who had a clear run almost to the Kaitnngata line, where ho was brought down by J. Crook. Cameron picked up, however, and scored an easy try. F/ddi off’s kick was successful- City, 32; Kaitangata. 3. Jacobs saw a chance from a scrum, and passed to Cameron, who grounded the ball over tire Kaitangata line. Clydesdale’s kick went wide. City, 35; Kaitangata, 3. Play continued for the most part in Kaitangata territory, although one fine rush by Kaitangata saw City force down, and the game ended: City Kaitangata 3 Mr S. Devereaux was the referee. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS B v. PACIFIC B. The game between Christian Brothera B and Pacific B was played at Chisholm Park in the presence of a fair number of spectators. The Greens attacked from the kick-olt, and wore awarded a free kick, Hughes failing in his effort. Pacific retaliated by attacking strongly and were awarded a penalty, Davis kicking a fine goal. Pacific 2-—-0. After some give-and-take play the first matter of note was a break-away by M’Kowcn, who transferred to Deehan, who got over and scored a good try, which was converted by O’Neill. Christian Brothers 5, Pacific 2. The Christian Brothers team was at this stage of the gamo getting possession of tho ball from tho scrums, and from one scrum the ball came into the hands of the backs. As an outcome C. Walsh put in a good dodgy run which terminated in J. Walsh scoring. Strode's kick was successful. Christian Brothers 10, Pacific 2. Before half-time was sounded Pacific were awarded a free-kick, Childs’s effort just failing. Shortly after play was resumed the Christian Brothers’ backs got nicely away, and Smith scored. Christian Brothers 13, Paci fic 2. Pacific then initiated an attack which was not, however, .long sustained. From (his point to tho end (he game was very even, neither side being ablo to claim much advantage or register any further score Those who wore prominent amongst tho Greens were C. Walsh and J. Walsh (backs), and O’Connor and F. Deehan: while for the Pacific, Harris (back) and Childs played well. The final scores were: Christian Brothers B 13 Pacific B 2 ATHLETIC v. CITY B. Athletic and City B met at Montecillo on Saturday afternoon under unlavourable conditions. The ground was heavy after the recent rain, but although the bail was greasy the Athletic backs gave a' good extu bition of passing. Tho game was very onesided, as Athletic dominated play from start to finish, City being hard pressed almost all tho time. City were also at a disadvantage through being two men short. City had a strong south-west wind behind them in tho first spell, but it was of httie advantage, as Athletic wore superior in every department of tlio game. From a scrum shortly after tho kick-off Webber set his backs in motion, and passed to Jenkins, who attempted to pot a goal, when a try seemed certain. The sumo player failed to pass out to his backs from the next onslaught by Athletic, when his men wore not marked. From tho subsequent play Fraser passed out to M’Kay, who scored near tho posts Sullivan converted. Athletic continued to press, and had City in difficulties for some time, and from a penalty Sullivan missed an opening. City then livened up and carried play to tho other end of tho field, and Athletic were called upon strenuously to defend their lino for a few minutes. Williams, Denniston, and .Fraser then came away in a fine dribbling rush, which carried play quickly to City’s territory, but they lost tho ball through it going into touch at tho corner. From the subsequent scrum near tho Lino Webber sent the ball out to Donnistou. who made a jinky run and scored in a good position. Sullivan converted with a good kick. Athletic came away in another forward rush, and D. Sullivan scored at the corner. A. Sullivan sent tho ball over tho bar with a fine kick. Fitzgerald and Kerr wore putting in some solid work for City, and Mackey was very useful behind the scrum, while Wootton was playing a good gamo among tho City backs. Athletic again had City in trouble. Bartlett picked up from tho loose and scored imdor tho posts. Sullivan added the extra points. The teams changed over without tho customary spell. Webber secured from a scrum, passed to D. Sullivan, the latter' sending tho ball on to Denniston, who scored near the posts. A. Sqllivan failed to convert. Athletic were awarded a penalty, and Sullivan koked a fine goal from halfway. From a scrum on City’s lino, A Sullivan picked up smartly and scored, but he failed to convert tho try. A dribbling rush by Athletic, in which Johnston, J. Fraser, and D. Sullivan participated, resulted in the latter scoring in a good position. Williams converted tho try. From a scrum Denniston secured the ball and scored near the corner. Williams failed with the kick at goal. Tho game ended with Athletic still attacking strongly, tho score being: Athletic 56 points City B Nil Mr J. Underwood was referee. AUCKLAND COMPETITION. <PKk Unitku Pbesb Association, i AUCKLAND, July 12. Ponsonby 22, Dcvonport 5. Marists 35, Athletic 3. llichmond .12, Newton 11. WELLINGTON MATCHES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 12. South 2S, Rovers 0. Hutt 38, City 0. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 11. Hornby 3, Addington nil. Sydenham 13, Waimairi 2.