LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20273, 16 August 1937, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND WINS TEST. RECOVERY IN SECOND SPELL. VISITORS’ ILL-FORTUNE. (Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Saturday. After being down 15 points to 6 at the end of the first spell, Nexv Zealand won the second Rugby League test by defeating the Australians i6 —15. It must be stated, however, that the visitors had ill-fortune. At one time three of their players were off the field and for the greater part of the game they were two men short.

[NEW ZEALAND WINS TEST. RECOVERY IN SECOND SPELL. VISITORS’ ILL-FORTUNE. (Special to Times.) AUCKLAND. Saturday. After being down to points to <5 at the end of the first spell, New Zealand I won the second Rugby League test by 'defeating the Australians 16 —to. It must be stated, however, that the | visitors had ill-fortune. At one time j three of their players were off the I field and for the greater part of the game they were two men short. Norman and McLean were the outstanding Australian backs and Prigs the best forward on the field. For New Zealand Nepia played great football, tackling in deadly style and kicking wonderfully. Australia opened their account with a goal from the side line, but New Zealand were the first to -score a try, as the result of a good back movement, Davison going over. They did not hold the lead long, for McLean used his speed to pierce the defence. Nepia's defence was a great factor. Following up fast, Peace, the Australian forward, went clean over the New Zealand full back as he crouched, and, failing heavily, broke his left leg. Keen play followed, and Brodrick was iargely responsible for New Zealand’s next try, which was -scored by Davison. Australia now lost the services of Stehr for a time, who injured a shoulder, but they attacked strongly. Norman opened the way to a splendid try and Australia again led, B—6. A penalty goal to the visitors and another splendid try by McLean, which was converted, saw the spell end, 15 —6 in the visitors’ favour. f In the Second Spell. Early in the second spell an injury to Gibbs reduced the visitors’ strength. Fast play continued and a great back movement saw Sat.herley come up in time to take a pass and dash over by the posts. Nepia converted. Australia 15, New Zealand 11. Play swung from end to end of the. field, and there was great, excitement when Nepia landed a goal from a penalty 10 yards inside the half-way line. Keeping up the. pressure, the home team caught the visiting backs out of position and Bickerton scored at | the corner. This gave New Zealand a j lead of a point, ami despite, great, efforts by the visitors they held the narrow lead until Ihc llnal whistle sounded. New Zealand 16 Australia 15 TWO INJURED PLAYERS. BOTH LEAVE FOR ENGLAND. (Special to Tlmea.) AUCKLAND, Monday. During the Rugby League international match on Saturday, two Australian players were injured: Sydney 11. Pearce (26), -suffered a broken leg, and James Gibbs (26), fractured ribs. However, they left with their team for England by the Arawa, in accordance with the agreement made before the team left Sydney that any member injured in Auckland would be taken on the lour. RACING AT AWAPUNI. COMBINED HUNT MEETING. ENTRIES CLOSE TO-NIGHT. Nominations for all events of the combined Taranaki, Egmont—Wanganui Hunt meeting at New Plymouth, ion September 2 and 4, close this evening at 9 o’clock with the secretary (Mr C. B. Webster). Box 33. New Plymouth, and at 8 o’clock with Mr .T. C. Gray, secretary, Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club, Waverley. An attractive programme has been drawn up and indications are Waikato I stables will be freely represented in the entry.