LEAGUE TOURING TEAM

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1926, Page 6

LEAGUE TOURING TEAM

DEFEAT BY BATTLEY. CLOSE GAME IN BAD WEATHER. By Telegraph—Preas Assn.. —Copyright. Received Nov. 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 20. Battley beat the New Zealand League team by 19 points to 17. The New Zealand team was: Dufty, Brown, Davidson, Desmond, Gardiner, Kirwin, Webb, Henry, Carroll, Singe, Peterson, Mason and Avery. The conditions tvere atrocious owing, to heavy rain and a wet ground. Nevertheless, the first half provided most attractive play with free scoring and a ding dong struggle. - Gardiner early sent the ball in to Henry who scored, Dufty gosling. Smith replied with an unconverted try for Battley. Davidson made a good run and passed to Brown who scored for Dnfty to add a goal. Almost immediately Reese scored and Scott converted, after which Battley went ahead with a try by Wales. Then Dufty kicked a penalty goal but Davidge put his side ahead again by crossing the All Black’s line, only to see Gardiner score another try which was not converted. The half-time scores were: New Zealand 15, Battley 14. The visitors’ play in the second spell was less attractive, although the closeness of the issue maintained interest in the game. Dufty kicked a penalty goal, but after this the tourists were largely on the defensive. Eventually Gallagher got a try which Scott goaled, adding what proved to be the winning points. The New Zealanders rallied fruitlessly, their forwards failing to get the ball from the scrums, with the result that their backs lacked chances. Dufty played a magnificent game, while Webb, Davidson and Brown were always dangerous when in possession.