BRILLIANT LEAGUE GAME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2910, 16 July 1925, Page 2

BRILLIANT LEAGUE GAME.

X.Z. GOER UNDER 13—15

Sydney, July 15.

The combined Universities defeated New Zealand by 15 to 13, after a spirited and spectacular display, in the presence of five thousand people. The exhibition was infinitely superior, from a scientific standpoint, to Saturday’s contest, the play scintillating with sparkling passing rushes from whistle to whistle. Eva It hooked for the local team, and constantly fed his halves, Lane and Finn, who repeatedly paralysed the defence of the visitors. O'Rourke played the game of his career, and was easily the outstanding player on the ground.

The visitors incurred the wrath of the spectators on several occasions through their resenting the rulings of the referee, Mr Murray. Once, in the second session, O’Rourke was awarded a second shot at goal, owing to Mouatt talking at the referee, but both attempts failed. WetheralL opened the scoring soon after the commencement, Mouatt converted. O'Rourke kicked a penalty. Then the Universities assumed the offensive till Finn snapped up and scored. O'Rourke converted. Brown then cut in smartly in the Universities’ twentylive and crossed. Laing's kick failed. The scores were 8 to 7 at the interval in favour of New Zealand.

Dufiy landed a goal after resuming from off-side play. Then O’Rourke, after a dazzling sprint from midfield, scored a brilliant try, which was unconverted. All players at this stage were exchanging hard knocks and there were no “beg pardons" on either side. Doctor Flattery intercepted at halfway, and sprinted to the line. The attempt at goal failed, but O'Rourke subsequently landed a penalty through a New Zealander not playing the ball. Webb then scored for the New Zealand team, Duffy failing to goal.—ls to 13.

Wetherall and Brown in the backs, Henry Mouatt, and Carroll (the last-named having replaced Tierring in the forwards) were the best of the visitors.