HARD-FOUGHT GAME

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22470, 4 January 1943, Page 5

HARD-FOUGHT GAME

New Zealanders Beaten (Rec. 9.30) LONDON, Jan. 1. The Royal Air Force fielded one of the strongest teams of the season, including eight internationals, when they met the R.N.Z.A.F. at Bedford. The New Zealanders made them work hard for their win by 25 points to 19. It was a fast, open and exciting game, producing 12 tries, the Royal Air Force scoring seven and converting two and the New Zealanders five. Flying Officer Eric Grant, of Gisborne, scored three tries and Sergeant A. G. Sutherland of Southland two. L.A.C. J. H. Macdonald, of Marlborough, converted two. The R.A.F. led 12-11 at halftime, after the New Zealanders had been in front briefly by 11 points to 9. The R.A.F. opened the second half with a rush and were leading 20-11. However, two tries by Grant and Macdonald’s boot narrowed the R.A.F’s. lead to 20-19, but the R.A.F. finally scored under the posts 10 minutes before time.

As usual the New Zealanders seemed unable to ho A k and as a result the R.A.F’s. fast jinking backs had 95 per cent of the ball from the scrums but what the New Zealanders lacked in the set scrums they made up in the loose. Both sides lacked strong defence, and the New Zealand backs had to work hard in attempting to break up their opposite . numbers to whom the ball was ladled monotonously. Macdonald was the loos: forward. but eventually he was taken out of the pack in an attempt to smother the Welsh international W. H. T. Davies, who stood deep at stand-off half, taking passes ranging up to 15 yards long from the half-back. Sergeant G. Brown, of Carterton, handed Sutherland a grand pass for his first try and Macdonald. C. Smith and Brown all had a hand in the Southlander’s second try. Gran' scored twice after picking up in the loose. Once Sergeant C. Saundercock. of Christchurch, paved the way by a run. For his last try Grant ran through half a dozen of the opposition and scored behind the posts. The New Zealanders were given a great deal of trouble by the two Royal Air Force Rugby Leagueites who frequently ripped the defence to shreds. Mr W. J. Jordan and Air Commodore A. Nevlll watched the game.