KIWIS OUTPLAYED IN LEAGUE TEST MATCH

Chronicle (Levin), 22 December 1947, Page 7

KIWIS OUTPLAYED IN LEAGUE TEST MATCH

zReceived Suixclay, 7 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 20. Great Britain beat ISTew Zealaxxd 23 to 9 in the third Rugby Letxgue test at Bradford, the game being played before 45,000 people. Strong thrusts kept the New Zealanders defonding hartl. Early they were penalised for a ' scrum infringement but E. Ward failed to goal froxxx the 25-yard line. Britain continued to press lxotly but poor or dropped passes spoiled possible scoring cliances. The Kiwis foxxgtit back but Britain 's defexxce proved sound. Palin broke tlxrough briliiaxxtly after a iine passing burst and Aston received but he was tackled a few feex from tlxe line. The New Zealanders were penalised for offside play and E. Ward made no mistake, landing a goal from the 25 yard mark. Britain pressed hartl and Ryaxx, from the loose, cleverly made an opening fo; Eraxxcis to score a try. E. Ward kiclced a fxxxe goal. Ryan picked up from the. loose axe; made aix opening for Francis to score a try. E. Ward converted. The^ Kiwis got goixxg and swej)'. downlield but Britain 's defence pi'oved soujid. Play staycd in the centre for a period where Britain concedml a penalty and Clarke kicked a great goai fronx straight in front far out. The Kiwis 's passing was slow autl was easily checked. AIcBride 0]>ened Aut play and sem .lordan striding away but he stepped iuto touch. The Kiwis got very little of ihe bait froxu the scruuis. From a scruniniiigcin midtxeld iiorue received from Brad shaw and E. Ward, after a great run, sent Francis over for a try. Ward added a great goal. Ward was again prominent in a fasi dash from inidJield. He liually sent to Palin to score in the corner. Ward again converted. These reverses stung tlxe Kiwis who produced their bcst ell'ort to date wlien dcBride broke llirough and Alct.rego. scdred a try. (.'larkc converted. Britain \s substantial lead at halftiim.vas well deserved. They were on th.lttack practically tlirougliout. From a melee ou tlxe Kiwis 's liu. soon after resuming, Gee picked up aua forccd.his way over Ihe line. E. Wai-l failed to convert. ^ The Kiwis got points soon after when Olarke kicked a pexxalty goal. Tio Kiwis thfcn had a brilliant luu'st. 1? Clarke passetl several men but th, referee rixled his pass forward wlien • try seemed certain. The Kiwis weri now coxnbined betier and XlcBride trieu to dribble over the line after Eorres, made a good run and kicked, but thc bali weixt iixto touch near the ilag. E.^ Ward raxx splendidly and passed lo Egaxx who was brought doun inche.short of the line. Forrest lookcd certain to score when Rvan tackled him superbly. Rvurx played xvell at l'lillback and went cios, to scoring when he came into the attaek. ilcBride was going stror.glv fo •Tio line when Ryaxx tlxrew hixix iut . loueh.

The Kiwis lacked liuislx to thei: axovements. , YlcHregor broke llii'ouji' bdt' Forrttst pxjiulled his pass. • Britain 'added to their lead when IraUix. schfed and Hoixie added a goal. y Just before the end the Kiwis. ketu, xn^ up t.heir brighler forxn, inisstd 'ali otlxer good opportuxnty when .lordan alter a, good ' run, failed to pxiss lo ■Mounttord who was uninarked. Jonla . failed xvith ,a ixeld goal attempt.