NAVY VANQUISHED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1928, Page 10

NAVY VANQUISHED.

VICTORY FOR SAMOANS. SUPREME AT FOOTBAIX. "KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT IT." When H.M.s. Diomede steamed into Apia roadstead aa a gesture to remind the islanders that the Administration there had at least the moral support of the British Navy, the tall, loose-limbed sons of the Mau gazed complaeentlT, and instead of taking to the tall timber or hiking for the p! .aDatkms in the interior, they lewsued a challenge. It [ was a very friendly affair, and in brief i it was: "We will take you on at Rugby footba.il." The Navy roso to the occasion, promptly accepted the challenge and immediate search was made to muster the fittest fifteen on the ship. It was in blazmg samsihine, wiih the i mercury near the y<J degree mark (Lnj the shade) when the game was played. ! The Navy men soon faltered before the | devastating raids of fuzzy-haired j Samoarus, and the British line was! broken so often that when Che referee! blew the final whistle the score read: | Samoa 22, British Navy nil. I

Very delighted were the island spectators and every warrior of the victorious fifteen was suitably garlanded with dowers and escorted by heroworihi[»pers.

"They know something about the game down there," said a youthful lieutenant thi-s morning as he rubbed a bruised shin. "I've had one game against them. That will do me."

In an endeavour to retrieve a tarnished reputation the Diomede fielded another team against the Samoan whites, but once again had to bow to defeat.

H.M-s. Diomede also sent Soccer and hockey teams ashore. Both Europeans and natives were most ho<sprtable, and the opinion formed was that British sport will go a long way to smooth over some of the little differences that are now causing heartburnings in those delectable islands.