BRITAIN’S EASY WIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1059, 25 August 1930, Page 13

BRITAIN’S EASY WIN

A COMFORTABLE MARGIN IN N.S.W. GAME 29 POINTS TO 10 # SYDNEY, Sunday. At the Sydney cricket ground yesterday, before about 30,000 spectators, tlie British Rugby team won the first match of its Australian tour, defeating New South Wales overwhelmingly by 29 points to 10. The weather was cool and cloudy, and after a week’s sunshine the ground was excellent and not hard because of two days’ watering. The first half ended 12—10 in Britain’s favour. In the second half the visitors monopolised the scoring and gained four tries in the last 15 minutes. The scorers for Britain were: Aarvold, two tries; Wilkinson, Novis, Reeve and Hodgson, one each. Bassett converted two and Black two, and Bassett kicked a penalty goal. For New South Wales Ford and Towers secured tries and Ross converted two. Only at one stage, toward the end of the first .spell, did New South Wales seem likely to hold the heavier visitors. Then play fluctuated from end to end. MASTERY IN BACKS New South Wales during this period gained the preponderance of the ball from the scrum owing to Kendrew, of the front rank, receiving an injury which twice necessitated ambulance men’s attention. For 25 minutes in the second spell there was no score. Then New South Wales was outflanked right and left and subsequently crumbled before the penetrative attacks. Britain’s mastery was not over New South Wales forwards, who held their own in the line-outs, also in heeling from rucks, but over the backs. Bassett may not be as great as Ross, who was called on for extraordinary defence, but the accuracy of the visitors’ fullback in line finding saved the forwards tremendously. NEW SOUTH WALES WEAK LINKS The wings and five-eigths were New South Wales’ weak links. The selectors chose an attacking threequarter line—the feather-weight Crossman, inexperienced, and Carlton, the Olympic sprinter—as flanks. Neither impressed. Changes are certain for the Test match.-.* Crossman was innoctious against Reeve, who refrained from heavy tackling, only once, when necessary, collaring Crossman after giving him two yards start. Consequently the good work of Towers, King and Malcolm was valueless. The New South Wales backs throughout were lined for attack, and left Spong room to dance, dodge and feint. Spong was easily the best back of the day, and fully sustained his New Zealand reputation. IMovis, centre, was an excellent support. Jack Ford dropped back to threequarters in the second half. CLEVER TRY Play was most exhilarating and close in the first spell, because the fluctuating powerful wings should have given New South Wales a lead. Ford’s try was a grand one. He cut inside Aarvold and was tackled by Bassett three yards from the line. Only his strength enabled him to cross, carrying the British player with him. The best movements in the match were toward the end. One was typical of New Zealand, when six British forwards handled the ball straight down the field, beating the demoralised defence for I-lodgson’s try. Earlier, Reeve had fielded a high cross punt from Bowcott at full pace, giving Crossman no chance. Beamish, Farrell and Wilkinson, of the British forwards, particularly impressed. The Australian team to play Britain next Saturday is as follows:—Ross, McGhie, Towers, King, Crossman, Lawton, Malcolm, Thompson, Bonis, Ceruttl, Finlay, Storey, Breckenridge, J. Ford and Palfroyman.