League Kiwis Just Scrape Home

Chronicle (Levin), 3 June 1948, Page 5

League Kiwis Just Scrape Home

Received Wednesday, 10.25 p.m. SYDXEY, June 2. The Xew Zealand Rugby League tourists were hardpressed today to defeat Nortliern Xgw South Wales 13 — 7 at Armidale. For the most of the second half the home side led 7 — 5- and it was only in the coneluding stages of the ganie that the Kiwis gained the win uing lead. The Xew Zealanders were called upon to produce all their tricks for the nortliern team fought back doggedlv. The result was that in the second half the crowd of 3000 was treated to a brilliant exhibitiou of the code with stirring passing rushes and deadly tackling. The Northern side had tlie better of the game territoriallv for 30 minutes but Xew Zealand opened the scoring with a trv by Cunniiigham which Rich eonverted. The Xorthern goalkicker then landed two penalty goals to make the half-time score 5 — 4 in favour of the Kiwis. In the seconil half supporters of the Xorthern team were treated to the greatest thrill of the game when the winger, Snell, combined with the forward Bull, to score in the corner giving Iiis side a lead of i — 5. It was then that the Kiwis' eaptain. Smitli, called on his men for an extra effort. Though they rau strongly and handle'd superblv, they could not break through the sound defence. The fullback, Rich, then evener: the scores with a penalty *goal 10 minutes before full time. Xew Zealand continued to throw the hall about brilliant ly and a sustained attaek ended in Laird sending Anderson over for a trv in the corer. Rich missed the lcick. Just before full time Laird rau across uuopposed and the game ended Nev» Zealand 13, Northern New South Wale-i 7. •