RUGBY Maoris Six Tries In 28-18 Win

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 9

RUGBY Maoris Six Tries In 28-18 Win

(Neto Zealand Press Association) ASHBURTON, July 24. The touring New Zealand Maori Rugby team defeated Mid-Canterbury today, 28-18, in one of the brightest games ever seen on the Showgrounds for many years.

Opening up the game at every conceivable opportunity, the Maoris treated a large crowd to a scintilating exhibition of swift and sure passing from which they scored six tries, five of which were converted by the full-back and captain, M. Walters.

The Maoris exploited the dummy and reverse pass and change of pace to tihe distress of the home defence which stood up well under considerable pressure.

Although considerably outweighing the home pack the visitors had very little superiority in the scrums, but held the upper hand in the line-outs from which a majority of their movements began. Mid-Canterbury was by no means disgraced and broke clear frequently from the loose. The side scored four tries, three of which were converted by the full-back, A. Smith, who, however, failed to profit from seven penalty attempts. All told there were 11 penalty shots but pone was

successful. The half-time score was 15-5 in favour of the Maoris.

No fewer than 13 points came in the last eight minutes during which the crowd. was kept at fever pitch by the bright play. For the Maoris, tries were scored by J. J. Nicholls, V. M. Yates, G. Strand, P. Myers, R. Rangi and J. Toki. For Mid-Canterbury, M. Han. ham, B. Malloy, D. Davison and R. Sutherland scared tries. The referee was Mr J. Corkill, of Greymouth. Jones-Davey Cup The Mid-Canterbury third grade representative team lost the Jones-Davey Cup when it was beaten, 24-0, by Christchurch High School Old Boys under 20 in the curtain-raiser Although the teams were more even than the score would indicate. Christchurch had more finish in its movements. It led, 13-0, at halftime.