LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19737, 5 January 1927, Page 5

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

d TOO SLOW u NEW ZEALANDERS BEATEN ’’ LANCASHIRE'S POOR KICKING LONDON, .Jan. 3. Lancashire beat the New Zealanders by 28 points to 3 in !a League football match at Leigh. Lancashire scored eight tries, two of which were converted, and the New Zealanders one try. There were 6000 spectators. Lancashire were superior in all departments, but their kicking was poor. The New Zealanders’ combination was defective, and they were also slow compared with their opponents. Davidson did not reproduce his form, owing to an injured leg. The New Zealanders won the toss and gave Lancashire first use of the strong hreezg. Carr, Bithell and Elllaby scored tries in the first half, none of which were converted. Two penalties from favourable positions were also missed. Lancashire in the second half stayed better. Kllaby scored the most spectacular try of the d*ay, after running 70 yards. Carr, Frodshaw, Wood and Price also obtained tries, Crooks and Carr converting one each. Herring scored after one of New Zealand’s I'i ’C breakaways. The New Zealand team was: —Dufty, Brown, Kirwin, Davidson, Desmond, Dolgrosso. Hall, Menzies, Parkes, Herring. Mason, Thomas, and Avery.

.®W ZEALAND TOURISTS LEAGUE TEAM’S DISPUTES. It is now known that the unfortunate quarrel in the ranks of the New Zealand Rugby League team was settled only by the timely intervention of the authorities in this country (writes the Chronicle’s” Loudon correspondent ' on November IS). The position had become so serious that it seemed likely that the tour would come to a summary ! end. | In these circumstances cables were I sent to New Zealand, explaining rhe I situation, and it was as a result of the | replies received that t English League , representatives went to Harrogate’, the : headquarters of the tourists and had a long conference with the players and managers. The seven men who had refused to : train, or take part in the matches. : complained of the attitude Mr E. H. i Mair had adopted, and it was only when the latter agreed to retire temporarily from his official position that a settlement was arrived at. It has been a bad business for all concerned. The tour cannot now be as successful as was anticipated, and how uncertain the position still is, is indicated by the fact that the English authorities have decided to postpone all arrangements which were being made for matches between the tourists and an English representative team to take place in London and Paris. Most of the seven men who rebelled were forwards, and it was not possible in these circumstances, for the team to do themselves justice on the field. They played the second of the three test matches last week-end, and, inasmuch as they were defeated for the second time, a lot of tho interest has been knocked out of the final game. Imperial Rugby- Conference. Wild rumours of threats on the part of the Dominion Rugby authorities to cut adrift from this country, unless they were given a direct voice in the government of the game, were circulated before the opening of the Imperial Conference. They were, however, groundless, and matters were discussed, and settled, with the greatest goodwill on all sides. The first step to agreement was taken by tho Rugby Union, who unanimously adopted tho rules of the International Board. This meant the sacrifice of several alterations which had been introduced, and which had worked satisfactorily. But unless this was done it was unreasonable to expect Wales to drop this new rule concerning off-side in the scrummage. It i docs not follow, however, that the English modifications will be lost for ever lAs a matter of fact they will be i brought before the International Board at the annual meeting next March. In all probability Wales will make a similar attempt to get their rule adopted. At the Conference the disposition of all representatives was that individual prejudices should bo scrapped in favour of a uniform code of rules. New Zealand brought forward a proposal that an Imperial Advisory Board should be formed, and this is to be considered by the Home Unions and the International Board. New Leaders of Soccer.

After having held the premier position in the Football League almost from the start of the season, Burnley have now been displaced by Tottenham Hotspur, the London club, who have always been notable as one of the most scientific teams in the country. The side are in charge of Peter McWilliam, the old Newcastle United half-back, and one of the greatest players the game has known, and he has been rc- : sponsible for moulding a style which is unsurpassed. Unlike most other clubs, too, Tottenham Hotspur refuse to compete in the transfer market for players. Their policy is to find young players of promise, and train them in the Tottenham way. The result is that, whenever there is a vacancy, a player can be taken from tho reserve team with the certainty that he will fit in with the general scheme of the side. But, like most teams of their brilliance, the Hotspur are temperamental, and arc rather J easily put off by opponents who are [prepared to make the game a Ipngkicking and hard-rushing business. It is on this account that one is doubtful whether they will keep their present exalted position. Though they have had to submit to draws in nine of their fifteen matches, it is evident ythat Huddersfield will again be dangerous challengers for the Championship. Other clubs well placed, and offering a high promise are Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, and Newcastle United. After being injured for several weeks, Joe Smith has resumed his old partnership with Vizard on the Bolton left wing, and these two players are almost as formidable as ever. Kelly, though he wants to leave and live nearer his home at Burnley, is playing splendidly on the wing for Sunderland, I and the Scotsmen in the Newcastle side, of whom Gallacher, the centre forward, is the star, arc performing in