LEAGUE TEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 4

LEAGUE TEST

KANGAROOS UNLUCKY NARROW WIN BY ENGLAND HOME SIDE RARELY LOOKED LIKE SCORING. The view that the Australian Rugby League team was “unluckily beaten” by 5 points to 4 in the first Test with England at Leeds was expressed by Fred Tottey in the Sydney Daily Telegraph. Tottey’s account of the match states England attacked at the outset, but, following obstruction, McKinnon drove them back to their own twenty-five. Then Woods, from a loose pack, was penalised for off-side , and Beaton goaled from the twenty-five, wide out, giving Australia the lead after seven minutes of play. The Australian forwards were delving in and showing more pace than the English six, H. Pierce, the hooker, contrary to expectations, holding his own against Armitt. Strokes of Luck.

England's full-back, Belshaw, whose line kicking was weak, changed his tactics and began running his backs into position, but the Australian defence was impenetrable, mainly because of the fine tackling of Beaton and McKinnon.

England was lucky when P. Williams, from the base of the scrum, punted high over Cunniffe's head and Bert Williams, chasing hard after the ball, gained possession. Only Belshaw’s brilliant tackling forced him into touch at the corner.

Australia continued to attack, but a scissors movement between Reardon and Beaton failed to reach fruition when McKinnon over-ran the final pass. After Beverley, Hodgson and Arkwright had cleverly dribbled the ball 30 yards Jenkins snapped It up and swung it hard to Risman, who, with Morley on the outside unmarked, dropped an easy pass. I thought Australia was most lucky to get out of that. Norman, playing finely, overshadowed Jenkins, and only Beverley’s quick breaking restrained the Australian five-eighth. Pierce was penalised for not playing the ball correctly, and Hodgson goaled from the twenty-five. Australia definitely was the better side in the first half, but many movements were never well finished. Following the spell McCue was penalised for not putting the ball in i the scrum, and Beaton goaled from six yards inside half-way. Then from a line line kick by Belshaw England entered the Australian twenty-five. Beaton, after attempting to clear, was grassed by Arkwright. He got up groggy. McCue, from the following scrum, passed to Jenkins, who ran diagonally, then, straightening up, shot past Beaton, accelerated, and went over the line for a fine try. “Out on His Feet.’’ From my position this movement looked like the old English one seen last season in Australia. Risman, cutting diagonally across Norman, caused him to take his eyes off Jenkins, who, taking advantage of the opening thus created, was able to score. Beaton, who was obviously “out on his feet,” did not see him. Hodgson missed an easy shot at goal, but England was now leading, 5—4, and 15 minutes left for play. Australia tried hard to make up the leeway, but poor handling by Bert Williams spoiled several movements. Reardon and Norman twice beat the whole defence in the closing stages, but delayed passing upset Australia’s hopes. The Australian forwards were superior in speed to England’s, bub lacked tightness. Pierce was definitely successful as hooker, winning only six fewer scrums than Armitt. Prigg was also at his finest. Australia certainly produced clever football, which the crowd appreciated. The only times England looked like scoring were when they succeeded. There were no more than three completed English movements. Bert Williams and Reardon had a tendency to pass infield, which is a natural fault with wing men who normally played in the centre.