Maori north-south match to the Dunns

Press, 20 August 1981, Page 32

Maori north-south match to the Dunns

PA Auckland The New Zealand Maori rugby selectors had little to enthuse over as the Northern zone regained the Prince of Wales Cup from the South 18-7 at the Pukekohe Stadium yesterday. It was a match lacking in flair for attacking rugby, but ground conditions were the dictator on the day.

While there was no doubting the North held a distinct territorial advantage, there was no debating the score was flattering against the southern side that provided the few thrills of a dull game of rugby. It was only in the last ten minutes that the Northern forwards got on top and the match was won.

In taking the win North could feel proud of the Dunn brothers, Richard and Eddie, who slotted the goals to provide the win. Richard Dunn kicked three penalties and Eddie dropped a goal to give the North a flattering 12-4 half-time lead. It was not until the 37th minute of the second spell that North added to its score when the flanker, Miah Melsom, scored a try. The Dunns, Richard at half-back and Eddie at first five-eighths, played it tight and their outside men had little chance to run the ball. But the South with Tu Wyllie, who played first fiveeighth in the first half and Steven Pokere, who took over, the second half, fed their men outside.

While the North put up a stubborn defence with sound

tackling, the South did produce the one star of the match in their right wing, Mike Clamp, who hails from Wellington. Clamp showed early in the piece after Pokere, playing at centre in the first half, timed a lob pass to perfection and the wing put on the pace to score in the corner.

While the South looked better in the backs, the forwards lost nothing in comparison with the North.

The Wellington player, Tera Arthur, and the Marlborough stalwart, Jim Love, gave Paul Tuoro, unaccustomed to playing at the front of the line, and Hud Rickit, a lesson in controlled lineout Play.

Felix O’Caroll took three

quick tightheads off North's Willie Coates. The North forwards at times were slow to the loose ball and for long periods the South forwards controlled the play.

North held the territorial edge in the second half, but there was no score until the 32nd minute when full-back Robert McCarthy from Wellington narrowed the gap for the South with a penalty.

South were back in the game but Melsom, who was never far from the ball all day, put the issue beyond doubt and the North forwards got on top and he scored his try.

As a trial it did little to help the selectors name the side to play the Springboks at Napier on Tuesday.