LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 43, 15 November 1926, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

SECOND TEST MATCH ENGLAND WINS, 21 TO 11 BLACKS GIVE IMPROVED DISPLAY By Telegraph.—Pbess association. Copybight. (Kec. November 14; 11.5 p.m.) London, November 13. Everything seemed to combine to spoil the second League football test match, England, v. New Zealand, at Hull. _ lhe visitors’ internal dissensions, especially a report that a number of players had contemplated returning home, coupled with their moderate play m previous matches, had diminished public interest in the team. Finally, heavy »'am to-day further reduced the gate, and only 8000 were present. . The New Zealand team was: Gregory, Dufty; Kirwin, Davidson, Brown, Brisbane, Delgrosso, Henry, Devine, Herring, Peterson, Singe, Avery. _ New Zealand-scored m thfe fiist few minutes, Brown making a good run ana passing to Peterson, who got across. No .goal resulted. Loose play followed, after which tine passing by Rix, Gallagher and Wallace ended in Wallace scoring a try, which was not converted. Sullivan got a penalty goal, and then Dufty missed one. An inside pass from Rix to lilde saw the forward score. A piece of smart work between Bowman, Burgess, Wallace and Thomas ended in the last-named crossing the line, Sullivan converting. The half time scores were: —. io England ..... ■ ...... • • -to New Zealand. « The rain had ceased and the sun shone when the Blacks’ turn came to have the wind at their backs. They quickly attacked. Singe, breaking through, passed to Averv, who scored in a good position, but Dufty’s kick went wide. The New Zealanders then fought hard, using their feet well. An unfair tackle when the man was not iii possession enabled Gregory to kick a good penalty. The Blacks continued trying hard. Avery picked up from the loose, made a fine run, and passed far out to the winger, who was fast enough to score at the corner. Dufty s kick just missed. The New Zealanders were now only two points behind. The ball went over the line and Thomas reached it lirst, but the try was not' converted. The Blacks’ chances faded when W. Fairclough ran over for a good try, Sullivan kicking a fine goal. The final score was: England New Zealand 11 Nevertheless, the visitors gave a far better display than in the First Test, particularly the forwards, who used their feet well, ' some dribbling being exceedingly good. Singe and Avery were most prominent. Thev had a stroke of bad fuck in losing the toss and having to face a gale of wind and rain in the first spell. They also missed Davidson, who went off with an injured ankle, Cole replacing him. . The Blacks suffered by comparison behind the scrummage. Brown was the fastest three-quarter, but Kirwin and Dufty did well. Gregory was safe at full-back. The visitors’ tackling was safe and with a little more speed thev might have won. The English forwards played well, particularly Gallagher, Bowman and Thomas, while Parkin and Fairclough performed well. The half-back, Wallace Evans, made a fine showing. Carr was somewhat helow form and consequently Rix had few chances. Sullivan was the soundest full-back.