BRITAIN DEFEATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 1 September 1930, Page 6

BRITAIN DEFEATED

NARROW RUGBY VICTORY ONE-POINT MARGIN SYDNEY, Sunday. The Rugby Union Test match, Britain v. Australia, played on the Sydney cricket ground yesterday afternoon, resuited in a win lor Australia by 6 points to 5. The play kept a crowd of about 30.00 U spectators on tenterhooks until the final whistle sou nded. The ground was firm, fast and dry. A boisterous wind was helpful to Australia in the first spell, but was not utilised to the greatest advantage. The Australians led 3—o at the interval, but they had deserved at least two other tries. The second spell was magnificently contested. Australia scored early, then Britain rallied. They bombarded their opponents’ goal-line in a series of attacks. and eventually scored a try, which was converted. Despite desperate efforts, however, the visitors could not cross again. INSPIRED LEADERSHIP In the last quarter of an hour there was continuous cheering from the crowd as the ball travelled up and down the field. The match may be described as a duel between Lawton and Sj>ong—the world’s greatest five-eighth —in which both men excelled themselves. Lawton’s inclusion as captain of the Australian team invigorated the side, making it 100 per cent, more effective than the previous Saturday’s State team. His leadership was inspiring. Lawton may have lost some of liis old dash since .1919, his first representative year, but this is counteracted by his experience, resource, and a coolness akin to that of Mark Nicliolls. Other alterations in the local team included the introduction of the Queensland forwards, Bonis and Thompson. The former’s hooking played a big part in the victory. In the second spell particularly the Australians were almost regular scrum winners. Again the selectors had preferred light wings—McGhie (Queensland), lOst. 41b., and Crossman even lighter—against the heavy British players, Aar void and Reeve, and they were not outclassed. Crossman twice was fended off by Reeve, but dived behind the British winger’s ankles and brought him down heavily. REEVE LIMPING In the second spell Reeve was prac-ticalljfv-iseless as he was limping badly. The Australians indulged less in wild handling and the “pass-at-any-price” policy was abandoned for more solid methods. The tackling of the backs, particularly Ross,. King and Towers, was exceptionally good. It was not until near the erd of the first spell that Australia scored. Previously the teams’ fortunes had fluctuated, though the Australians seemed more dangerous, putting plenty of snap into their play. Though the British team predominated in the line-outs they could not set their threequarters in effective motion until Reeve three times went over at the corner flag. He only had Ross to beat, but was collared by Crossman and thrown out. Australia missed a try after Spong had fumbled the ball. Lawton gathered it in and sent it to Malcolm, but the latter’s perfect pass was knocked on by King, who had Crossman in attendance with the open goal line in front. QUICK HANDLING Australia was again unfortunate after a dribbling rush, in which Palfreyman and Storey made 30 yards along the touchline. McGhie, following on Storey’s last kick, foolishly attempted to gather in the ball at the wrong moment and knocked it on when he was in an assured position with no opponent within yards. The local side’s try came from a line-out movement. The ball went to McGliie, who was held up, but Towers and Malcolm came round and the latter “dummied” past Bowcott and crossed easily. Jt was a magnificent exhibition of quick handling. Lawton’s kick failed. Britain's expected superiority in the second spell was not forthcoming. The pack remained solid, rucking tigerishly and winning scrums. Lawton and Malcolm had a. great share of the ball, which they exploited- Reeve, on the wing, also used a long throw-in with advantage. McGhie scored after long pressure in Britain’s twenty-five. Lawton’s genius showed again in the movement which enabled Towers to draw the last defender. Ross failed to add a goal. SPONG BRILLIANT From then on to the end of the game Sponge rose to very great individual heights and broke through repeatedly. The British forwards, O’Neil, Ivor Jones and Beamish figured in many movements. Constant pressure suggested that the Australian line would crack, but mishandling by Britain’s players lost them scoring opportunities. Once Spong, after cutting in, sent the ball out to a stream of forwards in a splendid position, only to see it knocked on. Aarvold marked in front just out of the twenty-five, but the drop kick was crude. Britain’s try followed a drop out. Bowcott passed to Murray, who sent it back to Bowcott, who passed in again to Reeve, but the big winger seemed to stop dead. BRITAIN GETS OVER Novis, however, was in position and was in time to gather in the ball and cross w'ith the Australians out of position. Prentice kicked a magnificent goal from a difficult angle. Just before the end Spong’s last break through cut Lawton out, and lie had two forwards racing on his right. Spong passed beautifully approaching Ross, and Ivor Jones carried on, but was brought down heavily by Towers from behind, two yards from the goal-line. That was Britain’s last effort and the game was in mid-field when the whistle sounded. Twenty of the British players will leave for Brisbane today. The others are to stay in Sydney. Mr. Baxter is to fly north tomorrow-