MAORI TRIAL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29179, 13 April 1960, Page 26

MAORI TRIAL

Lively Game In Rain (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 12. In spite of conditions far removed from the weather which 23 of them are likely to encounter in their tour of Tonga and Samoa, the national Maori trialists provided some lively and entertaining Rugby at Eden Park this afternoon. Possibles beat Probables by 19 points to 3. H. Piaka, V. Yates, J. Nicholls, and H. Parkinson scored tries for Possibles, and M. Walter converted two and dropped a goal. H. Herewini kicked a penalty goal for Probables. Light rain fell almost throughout the trial, producing conditions most unsympathetic to Maori Rugby. However, everyone of the trialists was prepared to pass and run with the ball and, apart from one or two scrappy periods, the play was interesting and lively. Particularly among the backs, the handling was first-rate and the wings saw an unusual amount of the play. H. Phillips, of North Auckland, made an immediate impression with two breaks in the first 10 minutes, and before long J. Nicholls (Horowhenua), T. Reedy (East Coast) and P. Ngawati (North Auckland) showed up as wings of equal promise. The inside back play was crisp and, where the footing was firm, full of thrust. D. Mathieson, a small centre from Taranaki, made several fine breaks. Walter had rather the better of the full-back duel and, for the first half at least, J. D. P. Taitoko (Wellington) was the leading first five-eighths. During the second spell E. H. Whatarau (Counties) showed some of his best form.

Perhaps the only disturbing feature of the game was that none of the four half-backs tried —M. V. Taiaroa (Canterbury), G. Jones (Horowhenua), E. Berghan (North Auckland), and S. Rutene (Poverty Bay) had a sharp enough pass. The loose forward talent was more heartening. Paiaka (King Country) was in fine fettle in the first half, and W. Nathan (Auckland) produced several strong bursts in the second half. J. Grbich (Wellington) was probably the best, for he was continuously active. Parkinson, a tall forward from Bay of Plenty, came on as a reserve in the first half and immediately looked a flanker or lock of promise. M. H. Davis (Waikato) worked hard in the tight play, and some of W. R. Wordley’s hooking was unusually swift.

EASTER GAMES Saturday, April 16 Canterbury Maoris v. Marlborough Maoris, Lancaster Park oval, 3 p.m. (R. Phizacklea). (This game is a challenge for the Ratana Cup.) H. 5.0.8. seniors v. Timaru H. 5.0.8., Lane. Park oval, 1.30 p.m. (J JI. Stone). Other Games Linwood seniors v. Kaiapoi seniors at Kaiapoi; S/Spreydon seniors v. Cobden seniors, at Sunnyside, at 2.30 p.m.; Albion seniors v. Southern Rugby Football Club seniors, at Carisbrook Park, Dunedin; Sydenham senior v. Methven, at Methven; University senior v. Temuka, at Temuka; H. 5.0.8 senior reserve v. Geraldine seniors Boys’ High School, 2.30 p.m.; University juniors v. Temuka, at Temuka; S/Spreydon under 20 v. Methven third grade, at Methven; S/Spreydon under 18 v. Methven fourth grade, at Meth ven; S/Spreydon under sst 71b v. Linwood under sst 71b. at South Park, 10, 11 a m.: Christchurch v. Zingari (Timaru) at Timaru; Technical v. Southbridge, at Southbridge. Monday, April 18 University senior v. Cheviot, Lancaster Park oval. 3 p.m.; University juniors v. Cheviot, Lancaster Park oval, 1.30 p.m. —Advt.