DOUBTFUL BRITISH LEAGUE TEST WIN

Chronicle (Levin), 6 October 1947, Page 5

DOUBTFUL BRITISH LEAGUE TEST WIN

Received Sunday, 5.30 p.m. LONDON, Oet. 4. With both regular fiookers injured New Zealand had to rely on the eaptam (P. Binith) as hoolcer in the first Rugby League test match against Great Britain at the Leeds ground whieh was lione hard. The New Zealanders iost by a try, the legalitv of whieh was considered in, doubt. The New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr. Jordan) received the teanis before the match. New Zealand opened the scoring after 13 minutes' play when Dockar was penalised for offside play and tlie fullbaek (W. S. Clarke) kicked a tine penalty goal from a Hifficult angle. Britain's backs had the better of play from the outset but failed to penetrate New Zealand 's defenee, largely througn faulty passing. After Clarke had put New Zealand In the lead, however, Britain's backs maintained pressure for long periods by skilful handling and fast runnmg. The British left winger (Johnson) witli rlever sidestepping twice initiated two attacks, but Clarke effectively stemmed them. Britain's forwards consistentlv gamed possession from the scrummages and the backs' persistence finallv brought its reward when Gwyther burst througli from a scrummage near New Zealand \s goal posts. Ward converted. The British forwards continued to get the ball in vital scrummages. In the loose too they were often dangerous and the New Zealanders found them difficnlt to stop. Britain kept play m New Zealand 's territory for long periods, but New Zealand just before the interval on one of the rare occasions when they penetrated to Britain's half scored and converted a try to lead 7 — 5. ' The New Zealanders, who upon resuniption had the strong sun behind them initially pinned the home team to their own half. Forrest, after a fine passing- bout, narrowly missed seoring when he was bumlled into touch at the corner flag' as he attempted to dive over the Hue. Britain then took command ahtT onlv the New Zealanders' fieree tackling prevented Britain crossing Both sets of backs worked well at this stage but lacked that polish whiclt would have gained points. New Zealand added three points tc their lead when Forrest intercepted a pass and with the field open scored un opposed. Britain reduced the arrears when a rearguard aetion ended in Aston crossing. Home doubt exists about the legalitv, of the try with whieh Britain won the match. The winger .Tohnson when he fiehled a cross kiek a few minutes before time appeared to be offside, but as thore was no whistle he punted over Glarke, regathered the ball and touc-hed down wide out. The game went to Britain 11— 10. Reuter savs New Zealand were a little unfortunate in losing. When they appeared to be breaking under the strain of being penned in their own half for a eonsiderable period the New Zealanders reeovered in the final few minutes of the first half and made one of the greatest fights ever seen in a Rugby League international game. The New Zealand backs showed a great turn of speed and passed the ball with supert; skill and accuracy. The facility of Britain's fast-moving wingers Johnson and Ratcliffe to change defenee to at tack, however, provided in the last fjuarter of ari hour the opportunities which led to Britain's one point victory. The Sunday Express, referring to th« incident toward the finish when Johnscored, says the ending was not satisfactorv.