Maoris finish well

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 21

Maoris finish well

The Canterbury Maori Advisory Board finished the rugby league season on a high note when its three teams all had wins at the Show Grounds on Saturday.

The B team surprisingly beat the Canterbury senior second representatives on a ground where the dust flew on occasions. The first curtain-raiser was played before a disappointing crowd of less than 500. The Maori B team led from the tenth minute, when Russell Tunta scored, and increased its lead as the game progressed. It won. 30-15. For the seconds. Forty Ratahi and Joe Heoi made some telling runs in the three-uuarters. receiving good serv'ec from the halves. lan Mcßeath and Wavnc Green. Trevor Sillickh anti Ray Gibbons were the pick of the forwards, with John Forster and Ross Huxley getting through much of the fight work. The heavier Maori pack, with Rog Dunn and George Burns to the fore, had control of most of the tight exchanges. The Maori three-ouarters. Bob Uati and Wavnc Muntlav. proved to be elusive, with great service from the scrum-ha’f. Mike Barron, the ’’plater of the match.” and Charlie Smith. In the main the Pakehas " ere tardy beginners and ’ trailed. 0-1,1. before- they were shocked

| into cohesion. With an ounce o! I luck this lead would have been i more. Jason Adams appeared < to reach out to touch down but j the "try" was disallowed. The Pakeha forwards rallied for Peter Sturgeon to score and start its fightback. Mike Williams finished oft' a back-line movement, then the try of (he match was scored by Steve Me- • Cann when he ran from a I scrum on the half-way to score i under the posts. Blair Corkran's [ accurate boot brought his team i level at 13-1 X Another try by I.ester Wilson £ave the Pakehas an 18-13 lead at the changeover. Mike Smith, in great form, started the second half hv dodging his way over to tie the scores a?ain. A third try by Smith was the winning one. Grant Findlav led his team by example, getting good sunnort from Sturgeon. Wilson, Wayne

Wallace, and Bob Grant. Corkran was sound at full-back and David Field and Mike Williams had a good understanding in rhe centres, getting solid sunnort from MeCnnn and Greg Roberts, th** latter seeming to mar a good match by running ton far with sunnort outside. Gary Taie and Ktdisa l.iani were the pick nf the Maori backs and Kuressn Siave was a mo«t reliable folbbaok. Smith was in tremendous form and deserved h’s *hrce tries, with intelligent backing up. fie had

solid support from Tai Meno, until Mene retired hurt, and Paul Vili. As usual the slight but sound Mutu Stone was everywhere. In the other curtain-raiser, the Canterbury Maori 15-year-olds beat the Ilornbv 16-year-olds. 15-14. Scorers: Maori A 23 t.M. Smith 3. 11. Vincent. P. Vili tries; K. Siave 4 goals) beat Pakehas 18 (P. Sturgeon. M. Williams. S. McCann. 1.. Wilson tries: B. Corkran 3 goals). Referee: P. G. Skerten. Maori B 30 )R. Tuuta. R. Dunn. B. Mene 3. W. Mundav. B. Uati. J. Ahkuoi. C. Smith tries; B. Mene 2 goals) beat Canterbury Seconds 15 iF. Ratahi, J. Forster. P. Kakau tries: W. Green three goals). Referees: A. Mohi and B. Brott.