LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 11, 10 December 1926, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND BEATEN

Received December 10, 9.25 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. St. Helens beat the New Zealand League teaih by 22 points to 12.—A. and N.Z. cable.

UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT. NEW ZEALAND PLAYER ORDERED OFF. Received December 11, 11.15 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. Although defeated, the New Zealand League team gave a brilliant exhibition and scored the same number of trios as St. Helens, but they failed in goal kicking, whereas Lewis kicked five goals for St. Helens. Both teams handled speedily and accurately, despite the drizzling rain. The excellence of the New Zealand pack was discounted by the superior play of the St. Helen’s three-quarters behind the scrum. The New Zealand forwards were also superior in the loose. Brown scored two tries and Avery and Gardiner one each, Ellaby (two). Fairclough and Heatli scored St. Helen’s tries. The New Zealand team was: Gregory, Brown, Cole, Kirwan, Gardiner, Webb, Brisbane, Herring, Peterson, Carroll, Wright, Thomas, Avery. There was an unfortunate incident in the closing stages. Ellaby eluded Gardiner and scored a try, which Gardiner disputed with the touch judge, whom he struck. The referee immediately ordered him off. Gardiner, interviewed, admitted the blow, which, lie declared, was entirely due to the touch judge using an insulting expression. The touch judge refused to make a statement. The league is inquiring into the incident. —A. and N.Z. cable.

The following is the record of the New Zealand League team to-date: v. Dewsbury, won 13 to 9; v. Leigh, won 23 to 16; v. Halifax, lost 13 to 19; v. Rochdale, wo.i 11 to 9; v. Barrow, won 19 to 16; v. Widnes,- won 15 to 5; First Test, lost 20 to 28; v. York, won 19 to 11; v. Bramley, won 35 to 12; v. Warrington, lost 5 to 18; v. Hull won 15 to 13; v. Bradford North, won 38 to 17; v. Oldham, lost 10 to 15; v. Leeds, won 13 to 11: v. St. Helens R., lost 14 to 28; v. Salford, won 18 to 10; v. Huddersfield, lost 10 to 12; Second Test, lost 11 to 21; v. Wigan H., won 14 to 2; v. Batley, lost 17 to 19; v. Keighley, won 21 to 3; v. Rw in ton, lost 14 to 16; v. Wales, lost 8 to 34; v. St. Helens, lost 12 to 22. Matches played 24, won 14, lost 10, points for 388, against 366.