BRITAIN DESERVEDLY BEAT AUCKLAND IN RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 August 1950, Page 6

BRITAIN DESERVEDLY BEAT AUCKLAND IN RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— Showing all round superiority, Britain deservedly took honours from Auckland in a Rugby League match at Carlaw Park Yesterday by 26 points to 17. Britain scored six tries, three of which were converted, and a penalty goal, to three tries, two converted and two penalty goals. Weather conditions were fine and the ground was in splendid order after the rain during the week. There was an attendance of about 15,000. Any chance Auckland had of winning the match was thrown away through poor tackling. Repeatedly the British players were allowed to run through and gain yards of ground against lamentable attempts to bring them down. As a consequence Britain was always dangerous in possession, and it held the advantage in the set scrums. The shining lights in the visiting backline were R. Williams, standoff half, to Bradshaw, halfback and the centres E. Ward, the captain, and T. Danby. In tricky running and clevei blind side moves, they repeatedly carved deep holes in the defence. Bradshaw capped a fine display with three tries. Nevertheless, the visiting player who caught the eye most was Williams, in a splendid all round and heady display. Ward, too, showed that he still retained some of his former brilliance. H. Street played an outstanding game as a back row’ forward, and was well supported by FHiggins and K. Gee. The Auckland backs had »ery few real chances, and when they did were quickly checked by a fast covering defence. The forwards, except for a short period in the second spell, were overshadowed. There were no outstanding players in the home team, with the exception of the forward, C. Johnson. Play started at a fast pace, with Britain attacking strongly. Both had chances, but mishandling spoiled them. Five minutes after the start Ward opened the scoring with a penaltygoal from the twenty-five. Britain, throwing the ball about freely, had Auckland troubled and the home side’s tackling was weak. Williams made a fine opening on the blind side of a scrum and Danby came up in support to accept the transfer and race over. Ward missed the kick at goal. Next Danby made an opening for Williams, who, although tackled, was allowed a try when it appeared he should have played the ball. Ward converted from short range. J. Hilton, the wing, although knocking the ball on, was allowed to gather again and go over. Ward easily converted, to put Britain 15 points in the lead after 20 minutes of play. Auckland's turn came, when D. White, the fullback, kicked a penalty gaal from a handy position at the twenty-five. Britain was clearly superior in passing moves, and M. Robertson, the Auckland and New Zealand captainoutside, D. Barchard, five-eighths, made some shocking attempts to tackle. Robertson was easily evaded in similar style to several other Auckland players. Up to this stage the Auckland backs had not been in action. When they did set off their movements were quickly frustrated. England drove back and Danby, Street and Williams were associated in an excellent reverse passing, the last-named diving between the posts. Ward missed the kick. Barchard made a fine break in an Auckland back attack, and reverse passed to Robertson, who scored unopposed. White missed the kick, and half-time came with the score: Britain 18, Auckland 5. Auckland went to the attack on the resumption and J. Cunliffe, the visiting fullback was penalised near his own goal, to give White an easy kick. England was soon on the attack for

Street to race over betw’een the posts. He failed to force down correctly, and lost a try. The Auckland tackling was still wretched and Ward was given a lot of freedom in some strong runs. The only incident in the match was when Bradshaw sent a right hook to the jaw of D. Wright, an Auckland forward, who is twice the size of his opponent. Wright took no notice and play proceeded. Auckland played better at this stage, and Robertson, from the loose, scored by the posts. White converted to make the score 18 to 12 in favour of Britain. Danby then made a corkscrew run through the defence to score by the posts. Ward converted. From the loose C. Johnson, a New Zealand prop forward, made a strong run, and transferred to Wright, crashed through a tackle to score at the corner. White converted with a great kick. The pace began to slacken, with both teams tiring. Right on time Danby raced through the Auckland inside backs to score his third try. Ward missed the kick and the game ended: Britain 26, Auckland 17. Mr. G. Kelly, Auckland, was the referee.

Remaining Matches

August 9: v. North Auckland; at Whangarei. August 12: Second test, at Auckland.