AUCKLAND WIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 167, 16 July 1936, Page 23

AUCKLAND WIN.

LEAGUE CONTEST. WAITANGI SHIELD. NORTHLAND OUTCLASSED. The Auckland Maori representatives had no difficulty at C'arlaw Park yesterday in resisting a challenge by the elect of the North -Auckland Maoris for the Waitangi Shield. The holders of the trophy, with fine collaborative' 'effort led by 16 points to 5 at the interval, and went on to win by 39 points to 15. As a spectacle the game was disappointing owing to the comparatively tfeak resistance of the visitors. If, however, the match served no qther purpose, it revealed the marked'improvement in Maori football in Auckland, and the fact that it will take a particularly good side to wrest the coveted trophy from the home side. Although Northland snapped into things at the outset and scored within the first few minutes of hostilities, it soon became abundantly clear that they were in for a trouncing. Actually the margin of difference between the teams at the finish flattered the visitors for, from individual flashes, they were rarely in the picture, and the Aucklanders, had they exerted themselves to the full, could have increased their score. Tries were begging because of

erratic handling when the opposition was hopelessly out of i>ositioii, or through players endeavouring to overdo unselfishness. Early in the piece, for instance, Lou Brown actually passed when over the line and his support was jostled out of bounds. it was foolhardy, but sporting, and there is no .better sportsman in the code than Lou. The City captain enjoyed himself for half of the iirst spell bv exploiting all manner of tricks and taking all the risks imaginable, and then retired. The others, plus Broughton, were well able to carry on the battle, and carry on merrily they did. At times practically the whole team handled in movements which swung the greater length of the field, and while it was pretty to watch it was not interesting because the opposition was so impotent. For the visitors Toki was the outstanding back, and apart from making gallant efforts to stem" the fast-moving passing bouts of the Aucklanders, he scored a magnificent try with a great solo effort. The forwards were outclassed in all departments, but great battlers' against big odds were Ivepa., R. Paki, and T. Pitman. Of the Auckland sextet Watene wa* always conspicuous, working hard when effort was required in the tight, and whipping the ball away to his .backs at every opportunity. Nathan, Kawe and Wliye were also conspicuous. The backs, apart from being a. trifle 011 the erratic side, played splendidly behind the pack, and scveial fine dashes from the base of the scrum paved the way for tries. Bickerton and Rata were frequently in the picture for smart runs, while Brown and Mason gave polished 'displays in the three-quarter line. Hemi made a welcome reappearance as full-back, and though his injured knee apparently has not yet properly mended he did all that was asked (Jf him. Although he did not appear to possess the nip lie displayed before being injured on several occasions he got up to send his backs away in approved style. For Auckland tries were scored by Mason (2) Wh.ve, Watene, Nathan, Ra.ta, Bickerton' Maiiima and Raymond, while Watene (3) Hemi (2) and Rata converted tries. The visitors' total consisted of tries by Flesher, Toki and R. Paki, and two penalty goals and a conversion by 1. Pitman. The Curtain-Raiser. A curtain-raiser to the Maori match was provided by teams representing Atta J axis and Amalgamated Theatres, victory going to the former by 0 points to 0. Visitors Entertained. At the Prince Arthur Hotel last evening the teams and officials and members of the Maori Control Board were entertained at an informal dinner . , ~ Mr Stan Rickards, chairman of the Tamaki League, congratulated lakaluwai for their good game against the very stiong side which defended the YV aitaiiMShieldl. Mr. J. Rukutai, chairman of the Maon Control Board, also commended the ertort of the visitors and the good spirit m which defeat was taken. He. extended a welcome to Mr Robertson, registrar of the >ati\e Land Department, whose presence -was counted as an honour. Acknowledging the welcome and hos pitality, Mr. J. Crompton, of Ruakawa, manager of the Takahiwai team, said the boys regarded the contest that day as a valuable object lesson A Maori control board had now been formed in North Auckland, and the future of the code was bl ßrief remarks were made by Messrs. E J Parkes (Northland selector), Robeitson ' S Watene and George Aslier, of Tna'kau (Waikato Maori League). The teams were tendered a dance m the Lewis Eady Hall last evening, and the Northerners left the city this afternoon.