RUGBY LEAGUE TESTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26198, 8 July 1946, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE TESTS

ENGLAND RETAINS “ASHES ” SUCCESS AT BRISBANE (Rec. 7 p.m.) BRISBANE, July 7. In spite of transport restri tions, with no trams to take the people home, a record crowd of 65,000 attended the second England v. Australia League test at Brisbane Show Grounds yesterday to see England win by 14 to 5. •The gates were closed at 11.30 a.m., and thousands were refused admittance. Every vantage point was taken, and women fainted in the crush. A heavily-reinforced police force had great difficulty in controlling the 'rowd. The start of the game was held up a few minutes while the police moved the crowd back from the side lines.

England attacked from the outset, but a knock-on ruined a possible try. From hard play among the forwards in Australia’s area England received a penalty, but the full-back, ' Ward, missed the kick. After defending for 10 minutes, Australia forced play bark into England’s territory, but did not penetrate the defence. England cleared with a good kick, and the bounce of the ball heal the Australian full-back. The English centre, T. Ward, gathered and seemed certain to score, but he was caught and tackled a few yards, from the line. The first 20 minutes saw hard but unspectacular play.

The English half-back, McCue, kicked through form a scrum near halfway, and the wing three-quarter Bassett followed on fast to gather the ball and score in the corner. The fullback. Ward, failed to convert. England 3. Australia nil. A free kick to Australia was followed by a scrum five yards from England’s line. Australia got the ball, but the Englishmen tackled like demons and forced play back to halfway. After a few minutes of rugged, patchy play in the centre of the field, Australia forced England back, and a penalty gave Jorgensen a chance to open Australia’s score, but he missed with the kick. Soon afterwards Ward kicked a penalty goal for England. The ha’lf time score waj:England 5 Australia Nil

Australia attacked strongly on resumption, and a penalty enabled Jorgensen to ki:k a goal after five minutes of play. England 5, Australia 2. Five minutes later Bassett scored his and England’s second try. It was not converted. England 8, Australia 2.

England’s positional play, kicking and tackling were superior to Australia’s throughout the game, and was most pronounced at this stage. Australia, however, attacked relentlessly, and eventually the wing three-quarter, Cooper, succeeded in breaking through to Jorgensen failed to convert. England 8, Australia 5. ■>-

After a period of rough play, Johnson gathered a loose ball and scored in the corner. The try was not converted. A minute later Bassett scored for England, but Risman missed the kick. England 14, Australia 5. A bout of fisticuffs in the centre of the field resulted in Egan. England’s hooker, being sent off just before the final bell. . Winning this test means England retains the ashes. It was a hard game, with few brilliant moves, and England was on top throughout.