SATURDAY'S SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 8

SATURDAY'S SPORTS.

4 : MAORIS' GREAT FINISH. HEAVY SCORE IN HALF AN HOUR. I INTER-ISLAND MATCH. THE'NORTH ISLAND TEAM ROUTED.

From a dull start the WellinrtonMaori match ran on to a sensational finish. Half an hour before the curtain fell the Natives seemed to be hopelessly beaten, but in that remaining thirty minutes ParalVs men were so enterprising that they piled on 21 points, and all but overtook tho big lead of the homo team. It was about the most extraordinary, and one of tho most exciting, finishes seen on the Park. Ono without previous experience of Maori fifteens must have wondered as the teams filed' on to the battle-ground how the light-looking Wellington fellows could hope to stand against the HercuJean gentry in red and black. Nevertheless, Wellington not only stood up to the brown avalanche, but crumpled it up, routed it, pursued it, and battered it—this ,for an hour. And l the Maori was komate —apparently. There seemed nothing left for the people to do but patiently await the clang of the bell, which would announce that the affair had beeu decently interred in tho vale of Time—for it would have been forgotten immediately it ended.

But —half an hour to go-; play on the Wellington line; a lino-out; the oval disappears for a moment; the mass heaves and sways; out of the ruck shoots n burly form,, whoso flight for tho line is irresistible in its strength and impetuosity; Paid has scored the Maoris' first try! From , then on they hardly ever left the Wellington pa. With forward sorties and back passing they hurled themselves upon the city players, and somewhere • about the five-eighth lino tho ■ locals crumpled up. In a few minutes the visitors, who had entered the field with a lusty warcry, were Charging heavily upon tho surprised enemy. Try as they wouid, tho city men oould not pull themselves together for defence., The Maoris were eleven points on, and the two thousand spectators were giving them amplo encouragement, wluch seems to have been all t'hey needed. From cloven they immediately leaped to fifteen. Full-back Hughs potting a remarkable goal from near half-way. Tho cheering which greeted Hughes's great pot caused tho Parata tribe to fairly bolt. Presently they wore twenty-two on—two points behind tho Pakeha. Maori friends in the stand were oxcitcdly haranguing the populace, and tho populace was making its throat sore hollowing to tho Maoris to score again and win. Still camping On tho Pakeha's doorstep, tho brown Dread-' nought forwards were pounding away at the defence, when the leather drifted to Mitchinson, who, realising that Time was likely to interrupt the proceedings at tho first available opportunity, bootca for t'lie £iide-line, and the timekeeper, who was only awating for tho ball to go out of' play, announced tho end.

Tho Teams Tlio Maori team, attired in rod and black, was Full-back, J. Hughes; threequarters, C. Eyland, 11. Grace, T. Heketa; live-eighths, W. Winiata, Eu Kingi; half, P. Blake; wing forward, A. Takarangi; pack, J. lliahia, C. 'l'ipene, J. Jl'Donald, J. Wahia, S. French, J. Jacobs, G. Paki. Wellington (in blaclt) was represented by:—Full-back, G. Parker; three-quarters, I'. Mitchinson, J. Twomey, 13. Ryan; fiveeighths, J. Tilyard, .1. Sullivan; half, H. Nunn; wing forward, J. Shearer; pack, C. Hills, W. Sullivan, W. Bell, I). buillivan, G. Miller, W. Ryan, E. Orsborne.

The Game Afoot. i The opening play was very uninteresting. The heavy Maori forwards swept the field with- a rush which looked irresistible, but was stopped by a clever mark by Twomey. A minute later a similar rush went right through to the Wellington full-back (Parker), who saved with another beautifully-snapped mark. In a little while the Wellington forwards carried the oval to the enemy's camp, and there Sullivan (five-eighths) made an attempt to get across, but he was held up. Another effort, and Mitchinson, given a poor chance, fended a huge opponent off as though tho Maori were a cork, but ho was ultimately blocked in the ruck. Onco more a terrific forward onslaught by tho tourists—this time to be stopped by a mark taken brilliantly by Mitchinson off .tho very toes of his opponents. Shearer tried a long place-kick at goal, and just missed; and a few minutes later Mitchinson opened the account with a capital goal from a free-kick. Wellington, 3; Maoris, 0. Sullivan (five-eighths) scampered through the Maoris, and flung the leather out to Twomey, who sprinted to the Natives' end of the field,, and in the midst of an ensuing scramble, Shearer potted a goal. Wellington, 7; Maoris, 0. Tho Maoris were penalised on their own side of half-way, and Mitchinson kicked another fine goal. Wellington, 10; Maoris, 0. Plav was dull till half-time, about tho only bright spot being Nunn's try. . There was a. scrum near tho Maoris' line, and Wellington heeled it out, whereupon Nunn picked up the ball, and coolly walked round the side of the scruni to score the simplest of tries. Mitchinson did not goal. Wellington, 13; Maoris, 0.

Wonderful Second Spell. Immediately tho second spell opened tho Wellington backs commenced passing. Out from the half went tho ball to Sullivan, on to Tilyard, to Twomey, and to Mitchinson, who made a brilliant attempt to work through, but could not manage it. A moment later Nunn picked up in the loose, and passed to Bell, who scored. Mitchinson goaled, and the score was: Wellington. 18; Maoris, 0. Wellington continued to throw the ball about prettily, and Mitchinson enlivened every few minutes with a sensational dash. Shearer got the oval in front of a loose rush', and fired it out hard to Tilyard, who galloped in under tho posts. Mitchinson goaled again. Wellington, 23; Maoris, 0. At this stage tho tourists seemed well beaten, yet in a few minutes they piled on 11 )K>iivts. From a lineout, Paki foil over tho line, and Hughes converted. Wellington, 23; Maoris, 5. A tine passing-rush between' Blake, Ivingi, Winiata, and Grace followed, and the last-named flashed over. Wellington, 23; Maoris, 8. There was a line-out fifteen yards from the goal-line, and from it Paki broke away, and scored a fine try. Hughes took the kick, and the oval struck tho bar. Wellington, 2.1; Maoris, 11. Again Grace got over from a pass-ing-rush, but the whistle recalled him. Wellington were kept penned up, and from close to the half-way Hughes [lotted a. sensational goal. 'Wellington, 2.1; Maoris, IS. With tlio exception of one Ineak-away, Wellington were l;opt defending hard, and very Shortly the Maoris were over again, IJyland scoring at tlio end of a passing-rush. Wellington, 2.1; Maoris, IS. Wellington were penalised in their twenty-five, and Hughes kicked a penalty. Wellington, 23; Maoris, 21. Wellington raised the. attack for a moment. but at the call of time llipy were defending desperately. So the game ended amidst great excitement. Wellington, |!3i Mam'ie, 21. , Mr. I* Simpwn refercodi

ROMPED OVER. THE INTER-ISLAND CONTEST. NORTH NOWHERE. (By Talesraph—Presß Association.> Christchurch, July 26. The inter-island football match was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon, the attendance being over 6000. The South Island won by 25- points (two goals from tries, four tries, and a penalty goal) to nil. Tho teams wero constituted as follow

South Island—Full-back—G. Scott. Three-quarters—J. Lynoh, J. CutMl, A. Smith. Five-eighths—G. D. Gray, J. Harley. Half—H. Taylor. Forwards—H. V. Murray (wing). P. Williams, J. Ridland, J. Douglas, T. Atkinson, J. M'Neece, H. M'lntosb, A. M'Donald (captain). North Island.—Full-back—A. Evenson. Three-quarters—J. G. Ivinvig, 11. Roberts, G. Loveridge. Five-eighths—W. Gcddes, J. M'Konzic. Half—E. Roberts. Forwards —\Y. Dustin (wing), H. Dewar, M. Cain, R. Paton, C. Gillespie, Wilson (captain), N. M'Konzic, A. Bruce.

The First Half. Play in tho early part of the game was very fast, and tho crowd applauded vociferously; Each side threw tho ball about in good style, and tho forward rushes of tho South Islanders took a lot of stopping, but the defence of E. Roberts and J. M'Kenzie was equal to the occasion, and they staved off attack after attack. Kinvig also was playing a great game for tho Blacks, and his accurate linekicking lielpod his side materially. Eventually, however, Taylor sent out a long pass to Gray, who transferred to Harley. The last-named sent a difficult transfer to Cnthill, but the Otago man. snapped up tho ball in good style, and sent a well-timed pass to Lynch, who made a determined run, and scored near tho corner. South, 3 —o. Wilson now headed tho Black forwards 'iiua rusli to South territory, lvut brilliant footwork by M'Donald and Cutliill sent play back.: Wilson and M'Kenzie returned to the attack, however, and the former got over, but was unable to ground the ball. About this stage a mis-kick by Scott went over his own line, but a lucky bounce saw the leather go into touch in goal. M'Nee was next prominent for some great tackling, and then E. Roberts returned well, only to see Cnthill repulse the attack by a lucky kick to the line. E. Roberts then broke right through tho opposing forwards, and was well supported, but Lynch spoiled his pass, and, getting jjossession a few moments later, ho put in a nico run and a good cross-kick. Once again Murray and Williams had tho opposing backs in trouble, but M'Kenzio, Wilson and Bruce relieved, and Wilson further improved, matters -by a lusty kick. Half-time sounded without further score.

Tho Scoring Spoil, At tho commencement of tho second spell a passing rush by the northern backs looked promising;, but Gray intercepted and relieved with a long lino kick. For some time tho Blacks held tho upper hand, the tackling on -both sides being very .deadly. A passing rush by tho Black backs gavo M'Kenzio a chance, but ho was brilliantly tackled by Taylor and tho ball went out close to tho Whites' line. A oross-kick sent it over, but Lynch, obtaining the ball, elected to kick instead l of forcing, and a sensational punt saw the ball go. out ten yards on the Blacks' sido of half-way. It was a great kick, and the South Canterbury man received a well earned round of applause. At this stage R. Roberts was injured, but resumed a few moments later. Tho Blacks now gained a lot of ground by a dribbling rush, but Taylor put ill a long kick that removed tho sceno of operations. E. Roberts set his backs going several times, but Geddcs fumbled his passes repeatedly, and Lynch' relieved. Tho last-named then; got tho ball at half-way, and a high punt oeing badly fumbled by Evenson ho dribbled over and scored near the posts. Gray missed an easy kick. South, 6; .North, 0. A free kick to tho north saw tho ball badly •handled by Smith but, in a passing rush, Lynch put in a good run anil, kicking to tho centre, tockled Evenson, and presently, from a mark by Taylor, Cnthill kicked a good goal. South, 9; North, 0. Fast following up by Cuthiil, Hariey, and Murray had tho northerners hard pressed, and' from another mark by Taylor, Cuthiil had an unsuccessful shot. The Blades' forwards were now responsible fof 6ome effective passing, but a free kick' relieved, and the Whites returned. Evenson, however, got out of difficulty very creditably. Gray now out in very nicely from a pass from Taylor, and-Har-ley, running very strongly, sent out a good pass to M'Neece, who scored near ,tho posts. Cuthiil converted. South, 14; North, 0. Lynch marked the drop out, and a beautiful forward rush, in which Murray and M'Donald took part, had the blacks in trouble again. On top -of this a good passing rush, in which all the backs took part, enabled Lynch to scoro at tho corner. South, 17; North, 0. On resuming the northern kicks initiated a passing rush, but ground was lost, and a counter passing rush by tho Whites (in which Gray played a prominent part) enabled Cutliill to score near tho posts. He converted liis own try. South. 22; North, 0. Taylor secured tho ball at half-way aud, after n brilliant run right to tho Blacks' line, he sent it on to M'Neece, who scored wido out. South, 25; North, 0. Mr. J. F. Pcaco was referee.

NOTES ON THE MATCH, [BY OLD liEP.] While admitting the fine display by tho southern team .and their all-round excellence, it must bo remembered that the northern team played under exceptional .disadvantages. For instance, Stohr (Tarnnalti), the centre-three-quarter and great place-kick, was laid aside by a poisoned arm through vaccination; Lovcridge, three-quarter, was very unwoll; Dustin (Wnnganui wing forward) played with a sprained wrist and had to retiie, being practically useless; while E. Roberts was suffering from an attack of influenza, which left him very weak, and, (o cap it all, Bruco (forward), who was nlnying splendidly, had tho misfortune to iuiure his ankle during the second spell and had (o retire. This_, of course, tended to demoralise the North team, who went to pieces during tho latter half of the second spell. The southerners, on the other hand, all scemod fit and well, and had no injured players. Oeddes, first five-eighths, was the weak link on the North side and repeatedly let his side down badly through faulty and erratic passing, at times also mulling easy passes from Hie half-back. Otherwise he played u fairly sound defensive £31110. The participants'played in a fino sporting spirit, and the gamo was fast, and' open and spectacular at times. It wag much appreciated by the lcrgo crowd present.