WIN FOR MAORIS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 41, 18 February 1943, Page 6

WIN FOR MAORIS

FREYBERG CUP RUGBY

N.Z. DIVISION CHAMPIONS (Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F,.) NEAR TRIPOLI, Feb. 14. A magnificent try scored by Taite, of Taihape, in the last 10 minutes of their match against Divisional Signals to-day von for the Maori Battalion the Freyberg Cup the trophy presented annually to the winners of the division's Rugby championship. The final score was: Maoris 8, Signals 6. Solid rucking , by two -evenlymatched forward packs, dominated the early stages of tl;e game. At' half-time the only points, scored-were a penalty- goal kicked by Dawson, of Auckland, Signals full-back, 'and 'a former New Zealand League representative. • ,; ■ . t S Plaving with a gusty wind behind them, in the second half the Maoris fought hard to keep play in Signals' territory. They evened the score when Aratema, of - Rotorua,. broke through to score near the posts. Jackson, an East Coast forward and captain of the Maori team, converted. Signalled took the lead again, when Dawson kicked another penalty, making the score: Signals 6, Maoris 5. The game then developed into a struggle for every yard of ground. .Signals fought hard against the persistent thrusts towards their line, but the Maori backs broke through for Taite to dive over the line on the corner. Jackson's kick failed. - The game was played in the first sunny afternoon in almost a week of wet weather. It was watched by LieutenantGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg and senior officers of the Division and Eighth Army,