Henderson’s Bright Debut In England

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 21, 17 November 1950, Page 6

Henderson’s Bright Debut In England

The former All Black, Peter Henderson, made a brilliant first appearance for Huddersfield Rugby League Club just a fortnight after he left Auckland by air to take up the lucrative offer which detached him from his old loyalty to the Union code. Playing against Bramley, he signalised the opening of a npw career by scoring a first-class try to share in Huddersfield’s impressive win. Henderson, who spent a few days prior to his departure for the United Kingdom with his parents, Mr and Mrs G. Henderson, Gisborne, left Auckland on September 22 and disembarked from his aircraft four days later at London. He travelled straight to Huddersfield to report to club headquarters, and commenced training.on the following day. He found himself fairly fit, although his football had been extremely limited in the previous two months; and on Saturday, October 7, he was included in the club team, a thoroughly competent ' homegrown winger being stood down to give Henderson a run. Although he missed a few passes, his display was highly satisfactory to his club and to thd crowd, who showed particular interest in the player described by one commentator as “Huddersfield’s recent All Black capture from New Zealand.” “Huddersfield appear to have done a sound piece of business in acquiring ‘Sammy’ Henderson the former New Zealand Rugby test „ player,” stated another critic of the League game. In his first match for the club he did not get many really good chances; but by making the most of those that came his way he gave the impression of being a player who, in addition to possessing great speed, is also an accomplished footballer. He should do well in the Rugby League. “His first and only try was a gem. If another fine effort had succeeded, he would have scored a try which would have long been remembered. After making fine progress on the wings he deceived strong covering opposition with a surprise cut into the middle, and it took three men to prevent his going over behind the posts. “Sammy prefers the wing to any other position, but in my opinion he is capable of giving a good account of himself at centre or stand-off half.” Whether this comment had any influence is hard to say, but on his second outing Henderson appeared at left centre. He is credited with having a great deal more to do there than in the wing position in his opening match for Huddersfield, and with making an even better impression. “He Should Be Good” “Plainly, he should be good and more than merely useful as a centre, and his try in the last minute of the game was the result of a fine run, finished off with a dive over the line as the defence rallied about him. It was a great effort!” was the comment of one newspaper critic. In his third match for Huddersfield the former Gisborne schoolboy player added further to his laurels and assisted his team to a 47-13 win. In this match the side was felt to have produced his finest form of. the season, and scored seven tries in all, two of which were Henderson’s. The team’s performance was outstanding, since no fewer than four of his regular first-liners were on the bank. One of these was Billy Banks, scrum-half, who was suffering from injuries in a test match the previous weekend, England against Wales.