THE LEAGUE TEST.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18703, 1 August 1932, Page 11

THE LEAGUE TEST.

WIN FOR ENGLAND.

MARGIN OF 1B POINTS.

COOKE’S FINE GAME

AUCKLAND, Saturday

The English League team met New Zealand in the first test at Carlaw Park to-day, the visitors winning by 24 points to 0.

The teams were— England—Full back, J. Sullivan (captain). ; Three-quarters —A. Ellabj, A. Atkinson, A- Risman, S. Smith. Halves —S. Brogden, B. Evans. Forwards —J. Thompson, J. Lowe, N. Silcock, A. Fildes, M. Hodgson, J. Feetham. . New Zealand —Full back, A. Laing. Three-quarters R* ■ Smith, C. List, L. Soott. Five-eighths—H. Brisbane (captain), A. E. Cooke. Half back—J. Masters. Forwards —J. Calder, E. St. George, R. Stephenson, M. O'Brien, T. Timms, L. Kutt. , 'Conditions were favourable and the attendance 20,000. After an interesting first spell, in whioh New Zealand deserved their lead of 9—G, England overran the New Zealanders towards the end of the game. The heavy English forwards secured the ball from nearly all the scrums, their backs combining well. New Zealand's positional play was often faulty, leaving gaps in the defence. In the first spell Cooke scored for New Zealand; Laing converted the try and also kicked two penalty goals. Ellaby and Atkinson scored for England. In the second spell England’s tries were obtained by Feetham, Atkinson, Ellaby and Smith. Sullivan converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. Superiority of Forwards. The Englishmen revealed themselves as a good average side. They fielded a forward division that was heavier than New Zealand. That was the initial advantage. The English forwards gave their ' backs repeated possession of the ball. In that allimportant phase of the game they'outclassed the New Zealand six. It was in Ihe inner work that the Englishmen did not impress. But, thanks to their forwards, tiiey were able to turn the scale. The New Zealanders, did well up to a point. It was a match that was keen, fast and clean. If New Zealand is to make a better showing in the following tests some radical alterations will have to be made. Laing was not impressive as full back. The New Zealand wings never saw Ihe hall in orthodox attack,, but in individual effort neither Scott nor Smith were up lo the standard. Masters played a good game at the base of the scrum; Brisbane did quite well with limited opportunities. A Fine Game. Cooke was the best back on the ground. But for him the margin that England held at the end would have been greater. At times his defence was superlative. When he had the hall in attack the Englishmen made for him with one intent, for they knew the danger that portended. Cooke's try was the classic of the game; with a dummy and a dash he ripped England’s defence to ribbons. While the goal shot was in progress the Englishmen held a conference to discuss better defensive methods. They feared Cooke. They had reason io do so, for despite the fact that he is old, as footballers go, lie is still tlie greatest opportunist of them ail. The Now Zealand forwards have to be praised for their virility and their gameness. They were up against a much heavier sly. They could not successfully counter their opposition in either the set scrums or the tight play, but in the loose they roved and raided with fine spirit. The best was Calder, with Stephenson and Timms rugged and sincere, llutt, of whom much was expected, was singularly unimpressive. A great deal of responsibility fell on St. George, the New Zealand rake. On the day he was outclassed. Viewing the New Zealand performance broadly, the weaknesses appeared to be at full back, both' wing three-quarters, hooking, and last man down. It Is a fairly formidable list of failings. A Robust Sot. The English pack was robust, heavy and active. They scrummed hard, they raided cheerfully, and they teamed with their backs with fine understanding. One and all contributed something to the genera] effect. For England they were the real keystone to conquest. It was not their fault that the English backs did not do better on the'rich face that was provided for them. As a combination the English backs could not be particularly , praised. They handled the ball well; they threw it about, often with glad' abandon; but in constructive play they lacked much, measured by' the- allEngland standards of other years. Evans whipped the hall away cleanly, while in the stand-off position Brogden played a dainty game. In the three-quarter line Atkinson stood out with clever attack and appreciation of his supports, while the English wings did all that could he asked of them. Smith ran with brilliant dash, while Ellaby combined an elusiveness with his great weight and pace which made him a constant danger to New Zealand hopes. Still Very Effective. Sullivan at full back, while not the briliant player or old, turned many opportunities to good account. England deserved every point of their winning margin. Their team work was superior to New Zealand. “It was a fine, clean game, and the best learn won," said Jim Sullivan, captain of the Englishmen, who said lie admired greatly the play of Cooke, the New Zealand live-eighth. The famous full back said lie might have something lo say about the standard of play in New Zealand after the third test. MATCH ON SATURDAY. THE AUCKLAND TEAM. The Auckland team to play against the Englishmen al. Carlaw Park next Saturday is: Full hack, Campbell (Marist) : three-quarters, List (Marisl), Davidson (City), Meehan (Maris!) : five-eighths. Cooke (Richmond), Brisbane (Marist; ; half, llassan (Marist) ; forwards, Hall (Newton), Clarke .Merisi , Lawless .' Richmond), Clark (City), Campbell (Marist), and llutt (Ponsonhy;. Reserves: Seagar (Devnnporl , M. Scott (Dcvonporl), St. George (Newton).