N.Z. LEAGUERS IN ENGLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 229, 16 December 1927, Page 10

N.Z. LEAGUERS IN ENGLAND

THE three ex-New Zealand Rugby League players. Ben Davidson, Lou Brown and ' Len Mason, who are now playing for the Wigan League Club, England, are, according to Press reports and private advice, doing big things over the other side, and by the majority of the fans are considered proverbial idols.

The departure of this fine trio of leaguers from Dominion for the Homeland a few months ago certainly caused a big stir in Rugby League circles in Auckland at the time, but that was yesteryear, and to-day it must be pleasing to all officials and fans to learn of the big performances put up by our players abroad. Ben Davidson, in one of liis recent and interesting letters to a friend in ALickland says: MASON A CHAMPION “Everything in the garden is lovely over here, and I think it would be sate for me to speak for the others and say that the whole three of us are enjoying the best of health. Len Mason is looked upon here as a real champion, and is compared favourably with “Massa” Johnson the crack-a-jack All Black Rugby forward who, after his tour of England with the 1905 team came back here to carry on. Lou Brown is still the same Lou of old and is playing great football. His speed is a big asset and it makes .him a regular shining light. As for myself, I think I am playing about as well as ever, although I am not sure that I have got my old speed back again yet. “Wilson-Hall continues to play well and ranks among the best in his club. Next Saturday, when we meet Hull at Central Park, we will have the pleasure of playing against him. “We met the leading club of England, Swinton. last week and our boys rose to the occasion in great style and gained a good victory, but, of Course, Swinton still leads the way. It was the finest side I have played with and nearly all of us went nearly mad about securing honours by 12 to 0, the heaviest defeat Swinton has suffered for years. “If the form as displayed in this match is maintained, the Lancashire Cup looks a cert for us. This cup, by the way, carries with it a set of gold medals, so it is to be hoped that the three of us will be selected in the team as only the 13 playing on that day receive one of those bright trophENGLISH TEAM’S TOUR “I suppose you are all looking forward to the proposed tour of the English Leaguers next year and are hoping that the tour will include good old N.Z. They will be able to gather together a rather handy team from over here, and their trip abroad should be in every way successful. Jim Sullivan who. as you know, has been the ‘star’ over this way for many years, is not as good as of old. but still he is looked on as a moral for the trip. Bill Rees

AUCKLANDERS IN THE LIMELIGHT MASON REGARDED AS A COMING CHAMPION

at lialf played a great game for Swinton and lie can also pack his bag. Other possibilities are Ellalry (three-quarter) Carr (threequarter). Tarkin (half)’ Jack Evans (threequarter). Andrews (threequarter), Johnny Ring uhreequarter). Kairc lough (half). while arnorg the forwards Bateson. Bowman. Darwill. Sloman. Maidment. Thomas and Burgess are said to be the right ‘stuff/ O’Rourke and Morris, the two Australians are ‘the goods’ I am told, so we shall soon be able to challenge England with a colonial side.” DAVIDSON IN FORM In his letter Davidson says very little about himself, but of course, as Auckland League fans know, that is Ben all over. According to newspaper report?.

he is playing clever football over the other side, specially in the recent game against Swinton in which it is said that the victory was even more convincing than that the score would indicate. Right from the start, Wigan played brilliantly with the advantage of a set of forwards who were both superior in the scrums and the loose Wigan had every chance to show their ability, and their display was by far the best they have given this season. The “Liverpool Post” says:—“Binks and Booysen seldom missed an opportunity of opening out the game, and ivinnear and Davidson were right or top of their form. Davidson hie fiever played so well as he did on this occasion, and Kinnear gave his wing-man many passes. Brown, on the right flank, nearly always beat Brockbank. and the Swinton left-winger seldom succeeded in rounding Brown.”