LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18618, 14 July 1930, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALANDERS DEFEATED IN AUSTRALIA. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 13. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. July 13. The League game, New South Wales v. New Zealand, provided an unexampled performance by a young team against a side with a world reputation, because they know each others’ play. There was fine but dull weather, and the show grounds was in good order. The atendance reached 25,000. The band played. New Zealand was represented by: Dobbs, Eckhoff, Calder, Barchard, Griffiths, Jones, Abbott, Meyer, Brisbane, Pearce, Dufty, Watene, and Gregory. The Play. The New Zealanders held their own for the first twenty minutes, during which Dufty's line kicking was splendid. The Blues then opened out with passing. Shankland side-stepped past Pearce, and gave the ball to Busch, who scored and converted. By great play. Brisbane put New Zealand in position, and Barchard knocked on, missing a certain try. There were several brilliant patches at this stage, but the home side was hooking the ball, owing to Dobbs (front row forward) having an injured ankle, but playing on. Shankland did another characteristic run, finally Kadwell scoring. Shankland goaled. Pearce was assisted from the ground, with concussion. The New Zealand passing was uneffective, and at the interval the score was New South Wales 10 New Zealand .. .. 0 Second Spell. The All Blacks opened well, and as Dufty had missed several shots, Gregory tried, and succeeded with a penalty. New Zealand had now five men in the pack. Hobbs was useless, and eventually Barchard injured his right arm in tackling, so the team had only ten men fit. They were putting up a stubborn resistance against severe odds. Abbot and Brisbane were the outstanding backs, and Griffiths, Calder and Eckhoff in the forwards. The defence, however, broke down in the last twenty minutes. Why penetrated and despatched the forwards, Treweeke scoring after being notably "shepherded” by Hardy, who bumped Dufty twice. Watene was now on the wing opposite Shankland, who was quieter, and Jones was opposite to Hardy. New Zealand missed several chances owing to misunderstandings at the critical moments. The visiting forwards were' battling hard, but the opposition had the lion’s share of the ball, and were holding the upper hand. A strong run was made by Hardy, who beat Jones and Gregory. The New South Wales team now asserted itself, though fine movements by Meyer, Dufty and Brisbane went near fruition. Magnificent passing by the Blues bewildered the opposition, Busch scoring from scissors passing, and Shankland converted. Through Abbott badly missing Busch, on the blind side of the scrum, Shankland accepted a reverse pass for ; a try, but missed the goal. The final score was obtained when Shankland side-stepped Watene and gave the ball to Kadwell, who was also "shepherded.” Hardy goaled, making the tally 29 points and two. Busch, at half, was a great thorn for the visitors, who greatly impressed. They should develop into a fine side at any time now. Pearce (the New Zealand threequarter) was released from hospital this evening, having recovered. The injured members are doing well, and the balance of the tour should be successful. "FAR FROM IMPRESSIVE. ’ NEW ZEALANDERS' FORM CRITICISED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 13, 11.5 p.m.) The New Zealand League team’s showing in yesterday’s game is described by the Sydney Sunday newspapers as "far from impressive.” The "Daily Guardian” says the game was really a pathetic affair, and warns League officials here that the public will not repeatedly pay to see the quality of football staged yesterday. The "Sun” says the New Zealander’s standard of play is a long way below the requirements of a crowd of 25,000.