THE LEAGUE GAME

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 49, 22 November 1926, Page 13

THE LEAGUE GAME

NEW ZEALAND TEAM BEATEN IN CLOSE MATCH WITH BATLEY By Telegraph.—Press association. Copyright. ißee. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 20. Batley beat the Now Zealand League team bv 19 points to 17. ’ The New Zealand team was: IJutty, Brown Davidson. Desmond, Gardiner, Kirwan, Webb, Henry, Carroll,' Siuge, Peterson, Mason and Avery. The conditions were atrocious, owing to the heavy rain and a wet ground. Nevertheless, the first half provided most attractive play, free scoring and a ding-dong struggle. . Gardiner earlv sent the ball into Henry, who scored, Duffy gnaling. Smith replied with an unconverted try for Batley. Davidson made a good run and passed to Brown,, who scored, for Duffy to add a goal.' Almost immediately Rees scored, Scott converting, after which Batlev went ahead with a try by Wales. Then Duffy kicked a penalty goal, but Davidge put his side ahead again by crossing the Black line, only to see Gardiner score another try, which was not converted. The half-time scores were: —

New Zealand 15 Batley 14 The visitors’ play in the second spell was less attractive, although the closeness of the issue maintained the interest. Duffy kicked a penalty goal, but after this the tourists were largely on the defensive. Gallagher got a try. which Scott goaled, adding what proved to be the winning points. The New Zealanders rallied fruitlessly, their forwards failing to get the ball from the scrummages, with the result tbnt their backs lacked ehnnees. Duffy played a magnificent game. Webb, Davidson and Brown were always dangerous when in possession.