LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 24

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

WAITANG! SHIELD. RETAINED BY TAMAKI. FINE HAWKE'S BAY CHALLENGE. At Carlaw Park yesterday a good midweek crowd saw Taimaki (Auckland) withstand the challenge of Hawke's Bay Maori team for the Waitangi Shield after a fast and exciting match, the final scores being in favour of the home side by 27 — 23. With Lou Brown starring at centre and the Tamaki backs on their toes, the visitors were somewhat shocked in the early stages, but once they settled down, the contest was crammed with spectacular incident, as associated with Maori football. Tlie interval arrived with the scores 22 —13, but the Hawke's Bay pack, wheeling the scrums, because they could not hook the ball in the usual manner, took charge in the second stanza and raided in the open with vigour and effect, the result being that the notched seven points more than Tamaki in the second spell when they smashed the cohesion of the opposition. They lost several golden chances of scoring in the final stages through sheer over-eageruess, and. on the whole run of piny, well deserved to be the winners of the shield. Lou Brown really saved the day for Tamaki in a game that was thrilling in the closing ten minutes, even if lackjng in technical all-round merit. Apart from Brown, the kingpin of the Tamaki rearguard, Hapi, the ex-Hawke's Bay Union player, revealed high-class form, while Bickerton also went well when the going was good. Hira, at half-back, was eoinpletly outshone by Poi, his vis-a-vis, one of the moet promising inside backs seen here. Gemmell, the new Bay five-eighth, seemed unable to link up with him and kicked too much. Kihi played soundly in the second berth under handicap, but the insides generally played too deep and lacked knowledge of covering defence. Taylor, at centre, went on to the wing in the second half and Meafou showed more ability and speed. Heniopo was a solid defensive three-quarter and Mapuhi was steady at full-back. The outstanding feature of the game was the resolute and skijful play of the Hawke'a Bay forwards, with Rota and AVano tigers in the tight work and Purcell magnificent in that department and revealing fine allrouiul knowledge in the loose. Ponga was also in the picture and Kansfield proved himself a useful goal kicker. The Tamaki forwards played without much under* standing, A. Nathan and Ivelsall indulging in too much useless bullocking play. Soon after the start swift changes of direction in the Tamaki passing chain enabled Brown to send Turei in wide out. Shortly after Brown showed marvellous speed to follow through and collect a short punt by Turei to score. Neither try was converted. Hawke's Bay were holding on well and when a pass by Tamaki was dropped on the defence, Taylor whisked through the defence to touch down. After a clever diagonal run b.y Turei, Brown was on hand to send Hapi in, and handling by Bickerton, A. Nathan, Kelsall and Skelton allowed the last-men-tioned to score, and Watenc lauded the first goal of the match. Through a break from a scrum by Hira, Watene raced in from 35 yards out. The Bay forwards then took a hand arid Purcell barged over from a breaking scrum and Rnnefield kicked a penalty. A magnificent run by Poi allowed Purcell to score, Ponga converting. P. Nathan forced down for Tamaki and the referee allowed a dropout from the twenty-five. Just before the bell. Hapi intercepted and scored from half-way. It was a totally different story in the second half, which began by Wano sending Purcell in for his third try. The game was now up and down the field. Ponga peored from short passing, and Wano converted. Brown was allowed an obstruction tiMJ through being pushed by Mapuhi and Turei,,goaled. A .deliberate fenoek-on .by BroWri allowed Ransfield to goal, and the same player, during a ceaseless fighting finish, added another penalty goal as the bell mounded.

The visitors, who left by bus for Hawke's Bay this morning, were entertained at dinner- by thn New Zealand Maori Control Board, when members of the council and Auckland League congratulated the; teams. It was generally agreed that Hawke's Bay deserved to win the shield. The Rev. F. L. Frost, manager of the Hawke's. Bay team, paid a high tribute to the play of Lou Brown. Tlie Rev. W. H. Panapa also spoke. Mr. S. Rickarde presided. The players were subsequently guests at, a dance at Oneliunga.