THE FIRST TEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 133, 7 June 1937, Page 8

THE FIRST TEST

ON SODDEN GROUND N.Z. OUTCLASSED [ Per Press Association. 1 DUNEDIN, June 5. Snow falling overnight and continuing until an hour before the kick-off saturated the Carisbrook ground, which was greasy and heavy for the first Association Test. A crowd of 14,000 had been expected but there were a mere 5000 supporters. A light wind blew directly across the greund. The teams were:— England.—Huddle; Strasser. Robins; Lewis, Joy, Leek; Collins, Eastham, Matthews, Thornton, Finch. New Zealand.—Cameron; Gerrard, Haggett; Gordon, Sutherland. Todd; McKay, Farnan, Leslie, Duncan, Wood. England pressed from the outset and a cross from Collins was turned to effect by Matthews two minutes after the start for an Asy goal. England were the more effective combination. Finch away and slipped high whose cross headedFroflß^LThornton. — 2, New Zealaneqfc Cameron savecrbrilliantly from two hard shots from Leek and Thornton. The English snort-passing was irresistible in penetration while their methods were unorthodox and had their opponents at sea. The defence was ragged and the isolated attacks lacked finish and determination. A final offensive by England resulted in skilful inter-passing on the flight wing which was turned to effect By Eastham with an acute-angled first-timer two minutes before halftime, when the rcore was:— England • 3 New Zealand . O Although the conditions were very had. the English representatives gave an excellent display. Their superiority ir the concluding stages of the game v, as most marked, positional play end accuracy in manipulating the ball being far in advance of that of the New Zealand team. Little difficulty was experienced in beating the New Zealand defence, and goals became common, one or two of the shots being really excellent and giving the New Zealand ’keeper no chance. The total had reached a dozen when full-time sounded. England - 1New Zealand 0