SECOND LEAGUE TEST

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12604, 15 November 1926, Page 11

SECOND LEAGUE TEST

ALL BLACKS’ HARD LUCK TOO FAR BEHIND IN FIRST HALF FINE EFFORT IN SECOND SPELL E.v Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N2. Cable Association. (Received November 14, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 13. Everything seemed to combine to , spoil the second League football Test England versus New Zealand, at Hull. The visitors’ internal dissensions, especially the report that a number of players had contemplated returning home, coupled with the moderate play in the previous matches, had diminished public interest in the team. Finally heavy rain to-day further reduced the gate, only eight thousand being present. The New Zealanders scored in the first few minutes, Brown making a good run, and passing to Peterson, who got across. No goal resulted. Loose play followed, after which fine passing by Rix, Gallagher and Wallace ended in Wallace scoring a try which was not converted. Sullivan got a penajty goal, and then Dufty missed one inside pass, Rix to Filde saw the forward score. A piece of smart work between Bowman, Burgess, Wallace and Thomas ended in the lastnamed crossing the line, Sullivan converting. . At half-time the scores were England 13, New Zealand 3. VISITORS’ IMPROVED PLAY Rain ceaEed, and the sun shone when the blacks turn came to have the wind at their backs. They quickly attacked, Singe breaking through passed to Avery, who scored in good position, but Dufty’s kick went wide. The New Zealanders then fought hard, using their feet well. An unfair tackle, when the man was not in possession, enabled Gregory to kick a penalty goal. The blacks continued trying hard. Avery picked up from the loose, made a fine run and passed far out to the winger who was fast euougn to score at the corner, Dufty’s kick just missed. The New Zealanders were now only two points behind. The ball went over -the line and Thomas reached it first, but the try was not converted. The blacks’ chances faded when W. Fairclough ran over for a good try, Sullivan kicking a fine goal. Nevertheless the visitors gave o far better display than in the first Test, particularly tho forwards, who used their feet well, some dribbling being; exceedingly good. Singe and Avery were the most prominent. They had a stroke of ba" hick losing the toss and having to face a gale, wind and. rain in the first spell. They also missed Davidson, who went off with an injured ankle, Cole replacing him. The blacks suffered by comparison behind the scrummage. Brown was the fastest three-quarter, but Kirwan and Duffy did well. Gregory was safe at full-back. The visitors’ tackling was safe, and with a little more speed they might have won. The English forwards played well, particularly Gallagher, Bowman and Thomas, while Parkin and Fairclough " performed well at half-back. Wallace i Evans made a fine wing, but Carr was somewhat below form, consequently Rix had few chances. Sullivan was the soundest full-back.