LEAGUE KIWIS WIN TEST

Chronicle (Levin), 10 November 1947, Page 6

LEAGUE KIWIS WIN TEST

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

SVPERB DEFENCE DECIDING FACTOR

Conyright)

Received Sunday, 5.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov, 3. The Kiwis' win over G-reat Britain by ten points to seven in the seeond test was the first win by a New'Zealand team in a test in England. They won beeause bf their superb defence despite the fact that Britain had a feast of the ball from the scrums. Britain 's baek line seemed unable to finish promising movements. The crowd, who paid £4880, rose and cheered the tourists as they left the field. Britain 's overwhelming superiority in the scrums was shown by the fact that Egan (the Britisli hoolcer) got - possession 31 times to five in the seeond half. The Iviwis' defence was magnilieent, especially during the valiant British rally in the seeond half. The outstanding Kiwis were Clarlce (the brilliant fullback), Forrest (the speedy left-winger) and McBride, Newton and Ilardwiek of the forwards. Britain 's backs disappointed, eTohnson being the only oue to play up to expectations. White and Aston were the best of a fine paek of forwards. The Kiwis play the third test at Bradford on Deeember 20. Reuter savs 30,000 saw the Kiwis' Rugby League team win the toss. The ground was in excellent condition tliough rain threatened. Britain raced to the attack from tlie kielcofl:, but Clarke made a splendid clearanee kick. A series of good line kicks by Clarke put the Kiwis in a good position near the Britisli line. Jordan tried to barge his way over but was well lield a few feet from the line. Egan got possession from five of the first seven scrums but the balance of play favoured the Kiwis. Ward failed with a longrange penalty kick for Britain. Ledgard then forced the Kiwis baek on their own line with a well ;judged touch kick. Ledgard, however, let the Kiwis m soon after when he overreached trying to field a higli kick. Forrest dashed m, picked up, raced clear of Batten and seored a try. Clarke failed to convert. The Kiwis led 3 — 0. Ledgard missed a simple penaltv kick for Britain after I'aliii had made a grand dash. White burst througli the Kiwi defence but the referee reealled him for a t'orward pass. The Kiwis were on the defensive for a period but 15 mliiutes after tlie kiekolf they opened a brilliant left wing attack from their own Hue. Forrest broke througli and passed to Newton who seored the Kiwis' seeond try. Clarke convert ed and Now Zealand led 8 — 0. Clarke increased ihe Iviwis' lead with a penalty pal. The crowd appreciated tlie sensational start but groaned wlien Ledgard missed another penalty. Britain were now doing the ma.jor portion of the attacking but could not break througli the# Kiwis' defence. The Tviwis moved quicker in attack and their passing was cleaner and better directed than Britain's while their positional play wap also superior. Beven luinutes after the restarfc Ledgard got Britain 's lirst points witli' al penaltv goal. Jenkins tlien raised Bri-J taiu's liopes with a superb try betweeh the posts after a 30 yards run. It was a lirilliant burst. Ledgard added the extra points and the Kiwis led ten to seven. Amid cries of "Come on England," Johnson dashed awav and beat severn! oppoiu'nts -but was forccd into toucli near the corne'r._fiog. Jphitkoii. crossed tlie Iviwis' line just befofe halftiiue but referee Adams for the third time refused to awar'd m' "try bacnuse of a forward pass. Jenkins was stopped inciies from the Iviwis' line.