LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 47, 19 November 1926, Page 17

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND TOURING TEAM HIGHFIELD DEFEATED BY 14 POINTS TO 2 By Telegraph.—Press Association. copyniGHT. London, November 17. The New Zealand League team defeated Highfield at Wigan by 14 points to 2. , The New Zealand team was Dufty, Sanders, Desmond, Kirwin, Gardiner, Brisbane, Webb, Carroll, Devine, Henry, Peterson, Singe, and Mouat The match was played under unfavourable conditions. The ground was very heavv. Nevertheless, both sides plaved excellent football, but it was wonderful how the New Zealanders took passes. They were much the cleverer side. Tn the first half Highfield were constantly attacking, and. onlv the New Zealanders’ fine defend? prevented them from scoring. The New Zealanders started with an advantage in the slope of the ground. Showing good judgment, and by clever passing and ability, they often bewildered the Highfield team, their keen backing up proving a great factor in their victory. Occasionally Highfield got near the line, and with a trifle more judgment would have been over. The New Zealanders played six out of the seven forwards engaged in the recent dispute. All the team played well, but Dufty, the full-back, was the star of the side. Gardiner and Desmond were good, the former taking a lot of stopping. Osbaldeston played a splendid game for Highfield.

Gardiner scored a try in the first half, and another in the second. Desmond and Carroll added a try apiece, Mouat kicking a goal. Osbaldeston replied with a penalty goal.