LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19029, 1 June 1936, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ENGLISH TOURING -SJDE VICTORY OVER SYDNEY KEEN FORWARD STRUGGLE SYDNEY, May. 30. England defeated Sydney in a Ruguy-league match by 15 to 13. Though the margin-was. small, England was rich in promise, considering that they were playing a majority oi the test probables in the opening match of the tour.

The.attendance was 52,489, and the gate'.taking'scame to £4541. The game was mainly a keen and robust struggle between the forwards. The outside backs had few opportunities due to the excellent cover of the defence. The exchanges were often hectic and Hodgson was cautioned three times and Atkinson once. England's weakness was in the half back, Me Cue's breaks from the scrum being generally lateral. The half time score was.—Sydney ;">, England 4.

After securing 30 por cent', of the scrums, England rallied, dominating most of the second spell, "but tired otwards the end. Hodgson was the outstanding forward and initiated the best collaborative move from the loose, Brogden, Ellcrington, Risnian, and Morley handling in succession, the' winger, the ex-British union player, crossing the line to score. Mnekinnon and Brown were well watched and Ridley was often out of position. Silcock and Armitt were the toughest nickers. Ellcrington was speedy in' the loose, McOiic was subdued and failed to give Brogden the necessary service. Morley and Smith had few chances, but were impressive wingers, and Brough, an enterprising full-back, outranged Be.itoii in punting.

The exciting finish was due to the desperate ('(forts of the Englishmen, who persisted in playing the Australian, type of open football. Hodgson missed a field goal by indies a few minutes before the bell.

The teams were: England—Brough, .Morley. Atkinson, Smith, Brogden, Medio, Ellcrington, Hodgson, Exley, Silcock, Armitt, Woods. SydneyBeaton', Ridley, Brown, McKinnon, Hurley, Norman, Monk, Johnston, I'carco, Lewis, Porter, Fairall, Stehr.

' Th>e scorors for England were:— Morley a try and Hodgson and Risnian each three goals. For Sydney;— Hurley, Brown and McKinnon scored tries, and Brown and McKinnon kicked goals.