WRESTLING IN MELBOURNE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1929, Page 11

WRESTLING IN MELBOURNE

PESEK DEFEATS EUSTACE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 28, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, July 27. In a wrestling match Pesek, 13st. Gib., beat Eustace, lost. 121 b.

On the day the better team won although the: final issue hung closely in the balance. It took 35 minutes of the second half to give Australia tliejr coveted lead; New Zealand showed much improved form and enterprise in the first spell which greatly upset the. Australian cohesion. This, however, was not. sustained in. the second half, and the Australian back division worked xn a more systematic manner, finally enabling- them to snatch the victory.

Ne.w Zealand: lost the, match for’ want of reliable place-kicking.. Numerous opportunities were -offered within striking distance. A much greater number of penalties was recorded against Australia in the first spell than against their opponents,, an analysis showing that Australia were penalised 1 13 times, against New Zealand’s, seven. Australia gained' possession from a majority of tho serums. Malcolm, at scrum half played magnificently, feeding his outside backs- liberally. King and Lawton were both superb, in attack. Porter was at. his best. His example and leadership were invaluable to New Zealand;. The All Blacks” forwards- to a. man worked hard, although raggedly,, but finesse Was lacking in the back movements. Tuck at full-back was not reliable,, and Hook was somewhat weak.

The general standard of piny was excellent, especially in the later stages, the pace actually increasing'as the game went on, presenting the spectators, with a fast, open, and spectacular display.. The two Australian efforts leading to scores were probably the finest evolutions made in the whole scries of tes>s and. they aroused tremendous and almost continuous cheering. The .spirit throughout was excellent, as was the referee’s control of the game. Stringfellow, Grenside and Lilb irne were the best of the New Zealand backs, while Sonntag, MeWilliam and Snow were the most prominent forwards, Kivell, Reid, Cotterell and Rika all ably contributing; Leys was not a strong connecting link.

New Zealand has won five matches, drawn one and lost the three tests of the Australian tour.- On Wednesday a match, not . included in the original itinerary, w.ill be played against New South Wales. That will conclude the tour, of which the details are: —■-

June 29.—N.5.W., drawn, no. score. July 3. —Newcastle beaten, 35—8. July 0. —Australia won test, B—9. July 10.—N.5.W., defeated, 22—9. July 13.—Victoria beaten, 25—4. July 17. —Country beaten, 27 —8. July 20.—Australia won test, 9—17. July 24.—Queensland beaten, 27 —0. July 27.—Australia won test ? 13 —15. July 31.—N.5.W., at Sydney. The All Blacks have scored 166 points and have had 70 points scored against them.