N.Z. League Men Gave Best Display At Hull.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 3

N.Z. League Men Gave Best Display At Hull.

BRITISH TEAM LOST UNBEATEN RECORD IN LAST FEW MINUTES OF GAME.

(Written for the “Star” by E. H. J Mair, Coach and Team’s Manager.) ] HARROGATE (England), Oct. 15. Hull—the fourth on the list of honour in the English League this season | —and a very hard nut to crack, was the eleventh ‘ game of the team yesterday. Their ground at the Boulevard has a capacity of 30,000, and the record gate stands at 28,000 for the match between Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers, in the semi-final on April 21, 1923. The record receipts for this ground was at the second test match between England and Australia on November 5, 1921, when £3007 was taken. A match between Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers on this ground on December 25, 1920, brought a gate , of £1706. These figures are very interesting in view of the fact that the second test match between New Zealand and England will be played on this ground on October 13. Baskerville’s team of 1907-8 defeated Hull by 18 to 13, but the Australians went down in 1908-9 to them by 9 points to 8. On November 4, 1911, Australia avenged this defeat by defeating them by 26 to 7 and by 21 to 10 in 1921-22. As far back as October 24, 18S8, Hull defeated the Maoris by 6 points to 4, and on March 23, 1889, these two teams played a draw. In connection with the visit of the Maori team on that occasion the heaviest defeats were by Halifax by 18 to 4 and 16 to 4 by Yorkshire. The visit of Baskervilie’s side to Hull on November 16, 1907, is still green with most of the officials, who were just as proud in recounting the historic event as we were of hearing it. The team on that visit had just had three reverses in Lancashire, and Hull were naturally anxious to be the first Yorkshire side to do the deed. The result, however, proved the opposite. The try of the match is still talked of to-day, in which George Smith scored for New Zealand near the finish. Smith sprinted away in his own half, swerving past three opponents. Todd came from nowhere on his left and ! Smith sent him the ball at the righc moment, who ran round Holder and Taylor to score the last try for New Zealand. On the platform to meet us on arrival was Charlie Simpson, who skippered the Hull side that had the honour of defeating New Zealanders first. The attendance at our match on the Boulevard at Hull yesterday numbered 14,000, which produced a gate of £857. This makes a total of £7528 for the eleven matches to date—an average of £684. Our team took the field:—Full back, C. Gregory'; threequarters, J. Sanders, H. Brisbane, B. Davidson and W. Desmond; fiveeighth, L. Brown; half back, W. Hall; forwards, F. Henry, W. Devine, E. Herring, L. Mason, G. Gardiner and B. Avery. Referee, Mr J. Edden, from Swinton. An interested spectator at the game was Father M’Carthy, a wellknown Marist footballer, formerly of New Zealand, but now of Marist College, Cottingham Road. The result of this game with Hull was, according to the Press notice and public opinion,' a foregone conclusion for Hull. It had a wonderful record on its own Boulevard in not having lost a match out of the previous thirty-five games. This position was very dear to Hull officials and supporters, and they were quite frank with us that they did not intend to lose the thirty-sixth game, after having created the record. As usual, the New Zealanders never found their real feet in the first, coming to light in the second half in a game that was full of thrills right through. It was easily the best display the New Zealanders have given in England, and if they had played like that in the first test England would not now be one up out of three tests. The game see-sawed from start to finish in points, and the spectators were held the whole game. It was anybody’s £ame right up to the last second, for immediately Qregory converted Hall’s try the full time whistle sounded. It was a game that will live in the memory of all who had the privilege of witnessing it. There were many New Zealanders of bygone days in the large audience, and how they cheered. How proud they were of the win, of the breaking of the great record, but particularly of the magnificent spirit displayed by the team in its Death and Glory attempt to win if it were humanly possible. Every man in the side played as if his life depended upon it, but even then the individual honour went to Gregory, who was not only the best player on the ground, but he gave the best performance of his career with the exception of his game against Queensland in Brisbane last year. His display was wonderful—catching the ball from all angles and heights, tackling his man, placing the ball, extricating himself from awkward positions, stopping rushes by going down, picking the ball from the forwards’ toes, etc. One will never forget the way the team fought in the last ten minutes to win back the lead they had just secured. They fought like terriers, realising that it was a race against time. They deserved their win, and the Hull players and officials were loud in their praise for our play and congratulations for our win. Hull made the scoring boy com mence his duties first after ten minutes play. Beardshaw sidled through one of our inside backs cleverly, and sen* to Gwynne, who scored. Bateson did the necessary, and Hull stood five points up. Fifteen minutes later Gre gory landed a goal from a penalty, and there being no further scoring when the interval arrived, the New Zealanders were three points down. The Blacks were unfortunate in losing two tries on Hull’s line, Sanders and Davidson knocking on". Keen on keeping their record and their three point lead Ilui’ took the battle to New Zealand’s territory. Miller , Davies and Collins combined finely, the latter running over at the corner. Bateson failed at goal. Accidents happened to two Hull players at this stage, but they kept the Blacks out. Realising only twenty minutes remained, the Blacks let them selves loose, and Hull were sorely trieo in their twenty-five. A free kick wa. given them, but instead of giving then! relief, it was charged down by Bris bane, who followed on, secured, am! scored. Gregory added the extra* With one point in arrears, New Zea land launched another onslaught. The ball was heeled from the scrum to the backs, and Hall sent to Brown, to Davidson. to Desmond, who scored prettiest try of the day. Gregory failed, but his side had again secured the lead—lo plays 8. But Hull were not finished yet. Encouraged by the roars from thousands of throats to save their record they redoubled their efforts, and before any one realised Beasty wa-= over. When Bateson raised the flags, making the score 13 points to 1() in Hull’s favour, one would have though that every one of the spectators ha just received news of winning a Ti> tersall’s sweep. Their record, of whi they were right proud, was now save with but five minmes to go. But wh a five minutes it was. New Zealai set up a terrific attack, and on two o casions they were in. Sanders was jus flushed out in time, and Henry scored /a trv, but the referee thought thenwas a doubt, and disallowed it. Not

to be denied Hall, who tried unsuccessfully on three occasions to butt his way over, went the blind side, and threw himself

over, equalising the scores. Breathless silence reigned when Avery signalled Gregory 7 to come up to have the fina’ shot at goaL As soon as Pope placed for goal many*, on his side of the grandstand tried to disconcert him in his attempt, which meant so much to New Zealand and to Hull. A draw saved the record of thirty-five wins in succession, and a win to New .Zealand meant much. All eyes were on his attempt, and when the ball soared in the air thousands stood up and watched its flight, and then all eyes were on the referee. Up went his right hand, waving the handkerchief, signalling a goal. Qur men jumped up in the air with delight, so ha-p-"* that they had accomplished something out of the ordinary. This win will considerably help the gate of the second test on the same ground next month, and will help the following gate against the Hull Royers. The merited win against such a side caine at the cross roads of the tour, and it has put more spirit into the side. After the match the, teams were entertained by the Hull Committee, and shown many interest ing photographs of past champions and clubs. Several interesting speeches were made and responded to. The famous New Zealander of Baskerville’s side (E. Wrigley), who now trains Hull, spent a happy half hour over'all times in the Dominion. This club has B.as kerviile’s last letter of thanks before leaving England in a neat frame on their club wall. One of the guernseys that Baskerville’s '•’team wore in then game is still retained as a treasured memento of the occasion. On arrival at Hull yesterday morning we were taken to the famous Guild Hall, where the Lord Mayor extended us a warm welcome. On the table stood a sterl ing silver inkstand, on top of which was a lion made of New Zealand greenstone, that had been presented to the then Mayor of Kingston-on-llull by the lion Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G, Mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, 1906-7, and, a native and Freeman ol Hull. Mr Harry Dannatt, who was teams manager of the last English Rugby League team to New Zealand and Australia, met the train on arrivai and made the team feel right at home during their stay. We were the guest? of the. Hull Club for luncheon at the Imperial Hotel, at which the directors welcomed us to their city.

News of the arrival of our Premiei and Mrs Coates was pleasing to the members, and a telegram was despatci - ed to him to London, expressing pleas uxe at his safe journey across, that his labours would be successful at the conference, and expressing our love and loyalty to God’s Own Country. The High Commissioner (Sir J. Parr) kindly extended an invitation to the man agers and members to be present a* the welcome in London next Monda> to our Premier and Mrs Coates. Un fortunately it will not be possible foi us to accept the thoughtful touch extended to us by our High Commissioner.

New Zealand football fans have heard a great deal about the Wigan Club. To give an illustration of the difference in the personnel of several clubs, Barrow is made up of local players, wherea.Wigan’s thirteen includes seven Welsh men, three South Africans, one Cum brian, one from Manchester, and onl> one from Wigan.