THE LEAGUE CODE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 June 1938, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

NEW SOUTH WALES BEAT KIWIS.

A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

By Telegraph—Press Association, Copyright. SYDNEY, June 12.

Despite a magnificent open display in the first spell, when they were definitely superior in many phases, the New Zealand Rugby League footballers were defeated by New South Wales in the opening match by 25 points to 12. The crowd officially numbered 28,303. The weather was cold and find? and the turf firm.

The New Zealand team led B—3 at half-time, and held the advantage until fifteen minutes after play recommenced, when Kay retired with a dislocated shoulder. The Kiwis from then on were out-weighted, and being a man short were unable to resist an avalanche of tries. Even if the Kiwis had had a full team throughout it is extremely doubtful if they could have withstood the superior weight, back ■and forward.

The first spell produced brilliant football, the visitors outpacing the opposition and featuring mutual support and positional knowledge. Their speed nonplussed the home backs.

The scorers were as follows: — New South Wales: Dawson (two tries), Nar-vo (three), Goodwin (one), and Roser (one). Williams kicked two goals, New Zealand: Kay (one try), and McNeight (one). Hemi kicked three goals. The Sunday papers praise the Nevj Zealand League team’s showing on Saturday, but declare that they missed golden opportunities with the goal line wide open, chiefly through failure to gather in the ball. It was a tragedy for the Kiwis when Kfty retired injured. Only New South Wales’s weight advantage and rough tactics during the last few minutes, in which Pearce was the chief offender, enabled them to triumph. Football fans are delighted with the Kiwis, who are described as the cleanest team-for years.