SYDNEY DEFEATED.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 50

SYDNEY DEFEATED.

GAME PLAYED IN BAIN. SYDNEY, May 27. New Zealand Universities beat Sydney University in the first test by 16 points (three tries, two of which were converted, and a penalty goal) to 3 points (a penalty goal). The teams were as follows: — Sydney. —Backs—Mutton, Kennedy, Gibson, MacMahon, Hemmingway, Bohani, M’Sliane; forwards —Page, Joyce, Deloughrey, Murray, Booth, Loro, Morton, and Burfitt. New Zealand.—Backs —Bush (Otago), Mackay (Victoria College), Ruru (Victoria), Williams (Canterbury), Fookcs (Otago), M’Kechnie (Otago), Carter (Auckland) ; forwards—Diederich (Victoria), King (Canterbury), Barker (Auckland), Perkins (Canterbury), Peacock (Auckland), M'Curdy (Otago), Edwards (Auckland), and StephensonWright (Otago). Incessant rain made the ground boggy in midfield and slushy elsewhere. The visitors adapted themselves better to these conditions, giving a masterly display of dribbling. It was the first match here under the international rules, of which the New Zealanders showed the greater knowledge, exploiting touch kicking. Bush, the full-back, was the outstanding player. Besides goaling three times from long kicks near the touchline, his remarkable handling and sure clearances were the nihin factor in preventing Sydney from crossing. During the first 15 minutes the ball was never- out of Sydney’s half. Meanwhile the, New Zealand backs, checked on the right flank, transferred the attack to the other wing, Williams scoring a brilliant try. The next try was the result of safe handling. The movement started in midfield, Mackay outpacing Hemmingway. Bush converted both tries. Before the interval Mackay crossed after Stephenson-Wright had skilfully controlled the ball at his toes from halfway to near the goal line. Hemmingway then goaled a penalty for offside in a scrummage. The only score in the second half was secured by Bush, who kicked a penalty goal two minutes from the start. The Sydney forwards changed their tactics and improved their footwork and support. They also outstayed the visitors, whose defence was severely tested. The outstanding New-Zealanders were Bush, whose form was of international standard, and was equal to anything seen in Sydney with a wet ball. Ruru

"as a straight-running and resourceful centre, and Mackay, Williams, and M’Kechnie were the initiators of many attacks. Among the forwards Edwards, King, and Barker were the best scrummagers. Ewart (Canterbury) replaced lookes (five-eighths), who was injured in the back in the first spell. The final scores were.-— New Zealand Universities .. 16 Sydney University 3 EASY WIN AGAINST NAVY. SYDNEY, May 31. lhe New Zealand University team won the second match of its tour by 22 points (six tries, two of which were converted) to nil against the Navy. There was a disappointing attendance. The Naw team offered an unexpected stubborn resistance, adopting defensive tactics, winning tlie majority of the scrums, gaining frequent possession in line outs, and ruck° mg and tackling well The Navy for wards held the opposing pack, but the backs were lacking in combination, with consequent bad handling, and were unable to take advantage of their opportunities. The visitors led by 8 to nil at half time. The scorers were Mackay, Peacock, Ruru (2), King, and Thomas. Bush was not in a kicking mood, converting only two of the tries and missing three penalties. Outstanding amongst the University team were Mackay, Ruru, and M Kcchnie (backs), and Hodge, Peacock, and Barker (forwards). The Navy, realising M’Keehnie’s potentialities, paid him particular but the latter survived the gruelling tackling and his resource was responsible for two most brilliant tries. The teams were as follow :—New Zealand—Bush, Mackay, Ruru, Thomas, M’Kechnie, Ewart, Pryde, King, M’Curdy. JJodge, Barker, Dixon, Peacock, Diederich, M‘\ eagh ; Navy—Showers, M’Guire, Walsh, M’Kianon, Rigney, Parker, Jolly, M’Nicholl, Carr, Lewis, Fryer, Marks, Uathcrall, Rankin, Perry. THE INTERNATIONAL RULES NEW SOUTH WALES FALLS INTO LINE. SYDNEY, May 26. The council of the New South Wales Rugby Union has decided to accede to the request of the English Union to revert to the international rules as played in the Old Country and in the other playing dominions of the Empire. The reversion operates immediately. INTERSTATE ’MATCH. WIN FOR NEW SOUTH WALES. BRISBANE, May 31. In a brilliant interstate Rugby Union game New South Wales defeated Queensland by 28 to 15. Ross handled and kicked magnificently.