LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 53

LEAGUE

ENGLISH TEAM’S TOUR

OPENING GAME AT TAUPTRI.

HAMILTON, August 1. The team of English Rugby League footballers opened its New Zealand campaign to-day at Taupiri, when it defeated South Auckland by 31 points to 5. The superior combination of the visitors, who were two men short in the second spell (Evans being ordered off and Dolan retiring injured) told its tale. The playing conditions were ideal, and the attendance was about 2000. In the first spell the Englishmen had the greater majority of the attack. Frodsham scored four tries, Halfpenny one, and Gwynne one, ■ and Thompson converted three of them, making the aggregate 24 to nil. In the second half the attack of the home team was much improved, and the visitors’ citadel was often challenged, but despite the fact that they were two men short, the visitors answered the call, and during this period of play they raised their score seven points, and the home team scored five. FLodsham scored once more for England, and Goureys converted and also kicked a penalty goal. Tittleton scored for the home side and S. Raynor converted. ' .

Rees was the outstanding player in the English team, while Everest and Abbot showed up best for the local combination.

REPLACING INJURED PLAYERS. AUCKLAND, August 2. At a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League Council to-night it was decided to replace injured players in the test match on Saturday. The English managers attended the meeting, and stated that their team could not »do»t thia

practice because of the rules in vogue in England, Australia also did ,not . replace players.

FIRST TEST MATCH.

MEW-ZEALAND BEATS ENGLAND.

AUCKLAND, August 4. The first Rugby League test match between England and New Zealand, played before an attendance of 27,009, resulted in a win for New Zealand by 17 points to 13. Favourable weather conditions prevailed and the ground w.as in good order. The New Zealand team made a magnificent defence, the tackling often frustrating likely scoring movements by the visitors. England was penalised frequently in the early stages for scrum breaches, and in the first spell Dufty and jlelgrosso kicked penalty goals for New Zealand, whilst List scored a try which Delgrosso converted, making, New Zealand's score 9 against England’s 3 (an untonverted try by Ellaby).

In the second spell L. Scott scored two unconverted tries for New Zealand, and Delgrosso gicked a penalty goal. New Zealand then led by 17 points to 3. England made a great rally towards the close, Fairclough and Oliver scoring tries under the goal posts, Sullivan converting both, and the game ending: New Zealand 17, England 13. The teams were: — NEW ZEALAND. Full-back, C. Dufty; three-quarters— R. Hardgrave, ■C. List, L. Scott; fiveeighths. M. Wetherill, S. Prentice; halfback. F. Delgrosso. Forwards —L. Hutt, W. Somers. J. O'Brien, M. O’Brien (West Coast), T. Timms, V. Goodall (Buller). ENGLAND. Full-back, Sullivan; three-quarters— Ellaby. Brough. Oliver, Askin; halves, Rees and Fairclough. Forwards —Burgess, Bentham, Bowen, Fildes, Sloman, Horton. England was penalised from the first scrum and Dufty put in a fine kick which Sullivan returned well. Wetherill cleverly found the line near the visitors’ twenty-five, where England was penalised and Dufty opened New Zealand's account with a good goal. New Zealand 2 points, England nil.England then pressed, but Wetherill intercepted cleverly in a passing bout. Coming to Sullivan lie short punted, and Nev,- Zealand almost scored. A scrum penalty against the visitors followed, but Dufty made a poor attempt at goal. A minute later another effort also failed. For the first time the English backs swung into action They ran across the field and gained no ground. Then the visitors were penalised neiy the posts and Delgrosso kicked an easy goal. New Zealand 4 points. England nil. New Zealand was hooking the ball in the scrums. Pretty reverse passing by England was held up by sound tackling, Dufty driving the play back with a fine kick. Desultory play followed until Dufty was penalised and Sullivan failed with the kick at goal. Maintaining the attack England, by clever passing, was soon over. Brough sent a long pass to Ellaby, who scored near the corner. Sullivan made a fine but unsuccessful attempt to convert. New Zealand 4 points. England 3. New Zealand then attacked. Brough was penalised under his own posts for tackling a player not in possession of the ball and Wetherill quickly crossed-kicked when the Englishmen were expecting a shot at goal, and List scored. Delgrosso landed a great goal. New Zealand 9 points. England 3. England lost a certain try right on half time when a poor pass went behind Askin, who could have run in unopposed. The scores at the interval were: ’•

New Zealand . . . . 9 points England 3 points New Zealand started the second spell with only six men, the other players not having heard the whistle. A minute after commencing Sloman was penalised for obstruction, and Delgrosso landed another good goal from outside the twenty-five. New Zealand 11 points, England 3.' A little later Sullivan failed at goal from a penalty, and then Dufty was similarly unsuccessful. The New Zealand backs swung into the attack and L. Scott accepted a pass to dash over at the corner. Delgrosso’s kick hit the upright and rebounded. New Zealand 14 points England 3. The New Zealand wing again showed his pace a moment later bj- gathering possession from a break down in the English back attack to score his second try wide out. Delgrosso failed with the kick. New Zealand 17 points, England At last, after give and take plav, England swung successfully into .a dashing attack. A great passing bout among the backs saw the ball come in-field again and Fairclough scored behind the posts. Sullivan converted New Zealand 17, England 8. lhen Dufty failed to take a high kick and Rees gained the ball to pass to C* n? r ’ w “° score(l behind the posts, and Sullivan again converted. New Zealand 17 points, England 13. A great kick by Sullivan again placed England on the attack. The New Zealaqd forwards, who had played a great game, were now beginning to tire. Rrnht on time, with New Zealand attackin'* 0 a penalty was awarded to the home side but Delgrosso failed with the kick and the game ended: New Zealand .. ..17 points En S lan <l 13 pointe Mr L. Bull was referee. The gate receipts at the match totalled abou£ £2OOO.

ENGLISH CAPTAIN’S COMPLAINT; AUCKLAND, August 5. At a complimentary dinner to the English. League footballers the English captain, Sullivan, in proposing the toast of the referee, indicated that he did not agree with many of the rulftigs of that official. The referee, Mr Bull, rplying, said that the Englishmen did not play the game, and he considered they were a lot of " actuealeiß,*

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

DUNEDIN.

The following are the results of Saturday’s matches: — City 24 points, Athletic B 4 points. Christian Brothers 27 points, Kaikorai 5 points. Athletic A 12 points, Pacific 7 points. THE MAXWELL CUP. The initial games in-the competition for the cup presented by 'Mr 11. Maxwell to the Otago Rugby Football League were played on Saturday. The weather was fine, but a strong wind swept down the fields of play, which provided an excellent surface. Christian Brothers and City won easily against Kaikorai and Athletic B respectively, while Athletic A beat Pacific by a margin of five points. CHRISTCHURCH. Marists 21, Waiinairi 5. Sydenham 16, Woolston 3. Hornby 26, Addington 15. QUEENSLAND DEFEATS NEW SOUTH WALES. BRISBANE. August 5. At Rugv League Queensland defeated New South Wales by 21 points to 10. — Australian Press Association.