RUGBY LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19947, 15 November 1926, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE

NEW ZEALAND TEAM AT HOME. DEFEATED IN SECOND TEST (Press Association—Ej Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, November 13. (Received Nov'.' 14, at 11.5 p.m.) Everything seemed to combine to spoil the second League football test, England versus New Zealand, at Hull. The visitors’ internal dissensions, especially the report that a number of players had contemplated returning home, coupled with the moderate play in the previous matches, had diminished public interest in the team. Finally, heavy rain to-day further reduced the gate, only 8000 being present. The New Zealanders scored in the first few minutes. Brown making a good run and passing to Peterson, who got across. No goal resulted. Loose play followed, after which fine passing by Rix, Gallagher, and Wallace ended in Wallace scoring a try, which was not converted. Sullivan got a penalty goal, and then Dufty missed with’ one. An inside pass from Rix to Filde saw a forward score. A piece of smart work between Bowman, Burgess, Wallace, and Thomas ended in the last-named crossing the line, Sullivan converting The half-time scores were:—England 13 points, New Zealand 3 points. The rain ceased and the sun shone when the New Zealanders’ turn came to have the wind at their backs. They quickly attacked, and Singe, breaking through, passed to Avery, who scored in a good position, but Dufty’s kick went wide. The New Zealanders then fought hard, using their feet well. An unfair tackle when a man was not in possession enabled Gregory to kick a good penalty. The visitors continued to try hard. Avery picked up from the loose, and made a fine run, and passed wide out to the wing, a score resulting. Dufty’s kick just missed. The New Zealanders were now only two points behind. The ball went over the line, and Thomas reached it first, but the try was not converted. The New Zealanders’ chances faded when W. Fairclough ran over for a good try, Sullivan kicking a fine goal. Nevertheless, the visitors gave a far better display than in the first test, particularly the forwards, who used their feet well, some dribbling being exceedingly good. Singe and Avery were most prominent. The New Zealanders had a stroke of bad luck in losing the toss and having to face a gale of wind and rain in the first spell. They also missed Davidson, who went off with an injured ankle. Cole replacing him. The New . Zealanders suffered by comparison behind the • scrummage. Brown was the fastest three-quarter, bnt Kirwan and Dufty did well. Gregory was safe at full-back. The visitors’ tackling was safe, and with a little more speed they might have won. The English forwards played well, particularly Gallagher, Bowman, and Thomas, while Parkin and Fairclough performed well The half-back. Wallace, Evans made a fine wing. Carr was somewhat below form, consequently Rix had few chance?. Sullivan was sound at fail-back. The final score was: —England 21 points, New Zealand 11 points. The New Zealand team was as foII OWS ; _O re gory, Dufty, Kirwan, Davidson, Brown, Brisbane, Delgrosso, Henry, Devine, Herring. Peterson. Singe, and Avery.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

RESULTS TO DATE. Points. Against. Result. For. Against, Dewsbury ... Won 13 $ Leigh ... Won 28 16 Halifax ... Lost 13 19 Rochdale .. Won 11 9 Barrow ... Won 19 16 Wildnes ... Won 15 5 First Test ... Lost 20 28 York ...Won 19 11 Warrington ... Lost 5 17 Bramley .. Won 35 12 Hull ... ... Won 15 13 Bradford N. Won 38 17 Oldham .. Lost 10 15 Leeds .. Won 13 11 St. Helens ... Lost 14 28 Salford .. Won 18 10 Huddersfield Lost 8 10 Second Test . ... Lost 11 21 Summary: Played 1,8, won 11, , lost 7; points for, 305; points against, 270.