ASHES REGAINED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20002, 20 January 1927, Page 4

ASHES REGAINED.

EUGBY LEAGUE TEST. ENGLAND'S SUCCESS. OPINIONS OF OLD INTERNATIONAL.. (Fhom Ode Own Coeeespondest-) LONDON, December 3. Playing in stormy weather, at Hull, on November 13, before only 9000 spectators, England obtained their second Test match victory over the New Zealanders, scoring three goals and five tries to a goal and three tries. Though they won by a slightly larger margin titan in the previous contest, England's victory was in doubt until the last quarter, when their backs became more impressive than at any previous stage of the game. The slippery turf was all against accurate handling, and despite the of Parkin, the home three-quar-ters remained under a shadow. Wallace was the exception, his play throughout being brilliant. The Sporting Life says that the New Zealanders were to be commended upon their display against the elements, the strong breeze carrying the rain into their faces. Their tackling was an outstanding feature, and their £6rwards used their, feet in telling fashion. The English forwards were outmarched in the matter of sheer strength, but this was counterbalanced as the game proceeded by Smith’s clever work as hooker. AMAZING SPEED. The tourists in the loose were practically all backs, and they displayed amazing speed. In the second half they gradually overhauled the home score until only two points separated the sides, and it required the revival which characterised England’s display in the closing stages to make the issue certain. During the first half, after Peterson had scored an early unconverted try for the New Zealanders, Wallace. Fudes, and Thomas crossed the visitors’ line, the third try being converted by Sullivan, who had earlier kicked a penalty goal. A minute after the interval Avery-' obtained an un : converted try for the New Zealanders, and Gregory added a penalty goal. Brown then reduced the margin to two points with an unconverted try. The game then veered in favour of England, and Thomas and Fairclough obtained tries, the second of which Sullivan converted. The teams were:— England: J. Sullivan; S. Rix, C. W. Carr, J. Evans, and J. Wallace; J. Parkin and L. Fairclough; F. Gallaghen A. G, Thomas, A: Fildes, H. Bowman, H. Smith., and W. Burgess. New Zealand: E. C. Gregory; L. Brown, H. Cole, J. Kirwan, and C. Dufty; H. Brisbane and F. Dolgrosao; F. Henry, L. Peterson, A. Singe. H. Avery, W. W. Devine, and K Herring, LEAGUE ASHES REGAINED. The Weekly Dispatch comments: “In view of the New Zealanders’ indifferent form, it was only in accordance with general expectation that England would triumph in the record of Test matches at Hull, end this they accomplished with comparative ease in the end.” The Athletic News: “Peace parleys which are delayed until the actual week of Test match effort cannot be regarded as conducive to confidence, and though at threequarter time the optimism of the All Blacks appeared to be justified, the New Zealand tourists in the second Test with England at Hull finished weakly, and were deservedly defeated. Thus the mythical Ashes, unexpectedly left in New Zealand by the last Rugby League touring team, have been regained by the successes at Wigan and Hull. Play on Saturday was of a higher standard than at Wigan. The All Blacks were less hesitant in attack, and had the defence shown a like improvement England’s task would have proved much more difficult. The absence of Davidson through injury weakened the tourists in one important essential cf lesource—opportunism. Cole, who filled the vacancy, lacks the anticipation of.. Davidson, and the effectiveness of the Uireequarter line was correspondingly reduced. One result of the expressed unity of purpose by the tourists was the bringing into the Test team of several forwards who, because of the differences, have made no match practice for several weeks. Iha sequel was disastrous. In the last i uauer, when England's advantage was so _ slight that a try would have put the tourists in front, and they were playing with the typical determination which they revealed in the first match, the majority of the forwards could not adequately respond to the call for supreme effort.” AMATEUR TOURISTS—WEALTH OF MATERIAL. “An Old International,” in the Observer, says: — “The English side won pn their merits. The winners were better at every point ot the game, though the New Zealanders put up a stubborn fight and never relaxed their efforts. Before anyone brought up on Rugby Union football can attempt to describe fairly his impressions of a Rugby League game he must rid himself of certain preconceived notions. Most people in the Rugby Union’s councils have the idea that all who are connected with the Rugby League are paid for their services or as compensation for lost time. The facts are that of nearly 500 League clubs, only the 29 which take part in the Northern League and a few others amounting in all to less than 40, employ professional players. "The vast majority of the League players and all the officials, except the paid secretary, are strict amateurs, who are not paid in any way for their services. The New' Zealand team is purely amateur. The England team was entirely composed of paid professional players, and since the war there has been no amateur good enough to be chosen for an English representative team, though before the war there was a certain number. The teams are chosen purely on merit. It is no handicap for a man to be an amateur, If he is good enough he will be chosen to play for the England team. The professional players all have other occupations, and are not paid by the League during the close season. They receive a lump sum on registering as a professional, and afterwards an agreed sum for each match in which they play or act as reserve, the amount varying according to whether the match is won, drawn, or lost. Looking at this match as an exhibition of football, and without concerning oneself with the status of the players, it must be confessed that as a game it was very well worth watching. The play was of & high order. It xvas exciting all through, and played at a terrific pace, which speaks well for the fitness of the players. SURE HANDLING.

“The speed of the movements and the lightning changes in the fortunes of the game were largely due to the rule prohibiting kicking into touch except from & penalty kick. What pleased me most was the way in which the man with the ball always made ground. There was no standstill passing. Individual running and dodging was clever, and the kicking above the average in length and accuracy. The way in which the backs handled the heavy greasy ball was admirable, the backing up was good, and the scrummage work clean and quick. I was disappointed with the tackling, the. footwork by the forwards was poor, and there w>t a sing]* drop at goal, probably the result scoring—two points for any sort of goa*> Some of the players. Dufty, Petersen Singe, and Avery, of the New Zealanders, and Parkin, Sullivan, Eix* Thomas, and Gallagher, of the Englishmen, were good enough for any team in any country, and the combination on both sides was much above that seen in most international matches.

“There are points in this League game which could be introduced with benefit into the Rugby Union scheme of things, though the dying out of t'ae drop goal and good dribbling is to be deplored. 1 was told that, this game was not altogether typical of a League match, and that the play in the. club match is usually of a higher standard. This may be so, but at least I found much to admire and much to enjoy. The predominant impression left on ray mind after seeing this game is regret that such wealth of material, such individual skill and keenness, should be last to the Rugby Union. But perhaps that is only natural.”