SECOND LEAGUE TEST

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 11

SECOND LEAGUE TEST

NEW ZEALAND BEATEN TWENTY-ONE POINTS TO ELEVEN, CIRCUMSTANCES SPOIL MATCH. By Telegraph— Pres, Awn.—Copyright. Received. Nov. 14 11.5 p.m. London, Nov. 13. Everything .eemed to combine to spoil the second League football test, which was won by England by 21 to 11 against New Zealand, at Hull. The visitors’ internal dissensions were especially unfortunate. The rejiort that a number of players had contemplated returning home, coupled with their moderate play in the previous matches, had diminished the public interest in the team. Filially heavy rain to-day further reduced the gate, only 8066 being present. • The New Zealanders scored in the first few minutes, Brown making a good run and passing to Petersen, who got across. No goal resulted. Loose play followed, after which fine parsing by Rix, Gallagher and Wallace ended in Wallace scoring a try which was not converted. Sullivan got a penalty goal and then Dufty missed one. An inside pass from Rix to Fi’de saw the forward score. A piece of smart work between Bowman. Burgess. Wallace and Tboifias ended in the last-named crossing the line, Sullivan converting. At half-time the scores were: England 13 New Zealand 3 ! The rain ceased and the sun shone I when the All Blacks' turn came to have ' the wind at their tracks. They quickly attacked, Singe breaking through. Ho passed to Avery, who scored in a good position, but Dufty’s kick went wide. The New Zealanders then fought hard, using their feet well. An unfair tackle when a man was not in possession enabled Gregory to kick a good |>eiialty. The All Blacks continued trying hard. Avery picked up from the loose, made a fine run and passed far out to the winger, who was fast enough 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 All Blacks' chances faded when W. Fairc'.ongh ran over for a good try. Mtillivan kicking a fine goal. Nevertheless the visitors gave a far better display than in the first test, particularly the forwards, who used their feet well. Some of their dribbling was exceedingly good. Singe and Avery were the most prominent. They had a stroke of bad hick in losing the toss and having to face the gale of wind and rain in the first spell. They also missed Davidson, who went off with an injured ankle, Cole replacing him. The All Blacks suffered by comparison behind the scrummage. Brown was the fastest three-quarter, but Kirwan and Di.fty did well. Gregory was safe at full back. The visitors’ tackling was safe, and with a little more speed they might have won. Tlie English forwards played well, particularly Gallagher, Bowman and Thomas. while Parkin and Fairclough performed well. The half-back, Wallace Evans, made a fine wing. Carr was somewhat below form and consequently Rix had few chances. Sullivan was the soundest full-back. The New Zealand team was: —Gregory, Dufty. Kirwan. Davidson. Brown, Brisbane, Delgrosso, Henry. Devine. Herring. Petersen, Singe and Avery.