FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

FINAL LEAGUE TEST.

ENGLAND 32; N.Z. 17. fAnstralian &■ Ts.Z. Cable Association.s L ONDON. Jan. 15. Tn the final League football tost match, England heat New Zealand by 32 points to 17. The match was played at Headingly. The weather proved wet. ! There were eight thousand spectators. England 'attacked vigorously from the start, but the New Zealanders countered, and they rushed play down tho field. Cole dropping the*ball when he was on the point of scoring. Bacon, with a brilliant sprint, reestablished play in the Blacks’ half, but the visitors carried tho hall down tho field again, Brown being pulled down when only a yard from the line. Dufty opened the scoring with a magnificent penalty goal after fifteen minutes’ play. England next pressed hotly, Rc-es and Carr gaining tries, one of which Sullivan converted.—England 8, N.Z. 2. Tho New Zealand forwards were playing well in tho loose and they were most difficult to cheek. Kirwan once got brilliantly away, but England wore fortunate in being able to find touch, after which the keenest of scrumming took place near tho English line. At tho end of thirty-five minutes’ play England relieved tho>pressnro and broke away. Bacon getting a try, and Emus another. Sullivan gnaled one of the tries, and the spell ended with England leading hv If! points to 2. OV> resuming. England again set up an attack in the strongest force. Tries were obtained bv Bowman and Baron, one of which SullivMii goaled.— Km*,’and 21. X.Z.Vb The Blacks now rallied hrillianllv. and they puf up a reninrkr.ble field. AVitiliis ten minutes Dolgroxso. Herrin;'and Brown each obtained tries, all ol which Duftv convciTed.

Delgrosso, however, was then injured and lie had to be carried off and the Blacks did not recover from the mishap, which enabled England to resume the superiority. Carr scored two tries in the (posing stages, rue of which was goaled.

Dolgrosso was uiifortuHitolv injured in the anlde when his side was showing a glimpse of ifs real form, and was temporarily smothering England. For the remainder of the game the New Zealanders were outclkissed l>y the superior sneed of the home forwards, and the ability of Clio pack, in which section the visitors proved still weak. The New Zealanders oit'y obtained the ball twenty-three times compared with England’s forty. Dnftv, Brown, Saunders and Hall were the most prominent players. The teams sang “Auld Lang Syne’ at the conclusion of tlio match.

FAREWELL DINNER. LONDON. Jan. 15. The League players regret that the New Zealanders’ dissensions are so grcrit. The farewell dinner was held in private, the newspapers not being invited. It was pointed out that the rsew Zealanders were all sportsmen and that they never had any ill feeling during the games. Mr Mail - is to reply on January 18th to the statements made by the malcontents. The receipts were £552 at the N.Z.England League test. It is understood the"loss on the tour is now £/00.

ENGLAND A". AY ALES. LONDON, Jan. 10. In the Rugby match, England beat AVales by 11 points to 9.