RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4499, 2 September 1930, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

BRITAIN v. AUSTRALIA. VISITORS BEATEN BY POINT. Sydney, August 31. Alter a game which kepi a crowd of aim at thirty thousand on tenterhooks until the whistle sounded “no side,” Australia defeated 'Britain in the first Test by six points to five. A boisterous wind was helpful to Australia in 'the first spell, but was not utilised to the greatest advantage. Australia led by only 3 points to nil at the interval, but deserved at least two other tries.

The second spell was magnificently contested. Australia scored early, then Britain rallied, bombarding the opponents’ goal-line in a series oC attacks, and eventually scored a try which was converted. .Despite efforts Britain was unable to cross again. The last quarter of an hour saw continuous cheering from the crowd as the ball travelled up and down the field.

The match may be labelled as a duel between Lawton and Spong, the world’s greatest five-eighths. It was not until near the end of the first spell that Australia scored. Previously the fortunes had fluctuated, though the home side seemed more dangerous,, putting plenty of snap into its play. Britain, though predominating in flic line-outs, was unable to set the three-quarters in effective motion until Reeve three tjjues almost went over at the corner flag with only Ross to beat, but was collared by •Grossman and thrown out.

Australia missed a try after Spong fumbled. Lawton gathered the rolling ball and sent. Malcolm ahead, but the latter’s perfect pass was kno eyed on by King, who had Crossman in attendance with an open goal lifie in front. Australia was again unfortunate after a dribbling rush in which Palfreyman and Storey made thirty yards along the touchline. MeGhie, following on Storey’s last kick, foolishly attempted to gather at the wrong moment and knocked on when in an assured position with no opponent within yards.

Australia’s try came, from a lineout movement to MeGhie on the other wing. MeGhie was held up, but. Towers and Malcolm came round. The latter dummied past Bowcott and crossed easily. It- was a magnificent exhibition of quick handling. Lawton’s kick failed.

Brtiain’s expected superiority in the second spell was not forthcoming. The pack remained solid, ruckin'): tigerishly anil winning: tlie scrums. Lawton and Malcolm had a great share of the ball, which they exploited. MeGhie scored after long pressure in Britain’s, twenty-five, Lawton’s genius showing again in a movement enabling Towers to draw the last defender. Ross ’failed to add the goal. from then on to the end of the game Spong rose to the greatest individual heights and broke through repeatedly.

The British forwards O’Neill, Ivor .Jones and Beamish figured in many movements.

The constant pressure suggested that the Australian line would crack, but mishandling by Britaiu’s hacks lost them scoring opportunities. Once Spong after cutling in sent the ball out to a stream of forwards in a splendid position, only to see it knocked on. Aarvold marked in front of the goal just, out of the twenty-five, hut his drop-kick was crude. Britain’s try followed a dropout, Bowcott passing to Murray, back to Bowcott, who passed in again to Reeve, but the big winger seemed to stop dead. Novis, however, was in position and had time to gather the ball and cross with the Australians out of position. Prentice go'aled magnificently from a difficult angle. Just before the end Spong broke through, cut Lawton out, and lie had two forwards racing on the right. Spong passed beautifully approaching Ross, and Ivor Jones carried on, hut lie was brought down heavily by Towers from behind two yards from the goal line. That, was Britain’s final effort, and the game was in midfield when the whistle sounded.