RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 June 1924, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Presentation to maori members OF ALL BLACK TEAM. -<BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION ) DANXEVIRKE, June 19. At a well-attended public gathering L. Paewai was presented with a travelhu§ bag by the Mayor on behalf of citizens and with a wallet by members df the native race. Similar presents lyere handed to him on behalf of George Xepia by other local members of the pative race cnosen to tour with the 1924 All Blacks, who was unable to be present. A wire was read from Sir Maui Pomare stating that he felt certain after seeing them on the field that in common with their pakeha brothers they would uphold the best traditions of New Zealand Rugby!, WEDNESDAY PLAY. HAWERA (17) v. TAWHITI (3). s Hawera defeated Tawhiti yesterday. Tries were obtained for Hawera by R. Foster (2), J. Dalgleish, C. Hammond, And C. Hoddinott. Dalgleish’s try was converted by F. Champion. J. Poi kicked a penalty for Tawhiti. Mi- R. St. George was referee. KETEMARAE (13) v. MANAIA (5). Manaia won the toss, and Ketemarae kicked off against the wind, taking play to Manaia’s territory, whei£ from a forward tussle Puketapu scored, Hughes converting. Manaia attacked strongly, and after a. lot of loose forward play in midfield Ruru Sam through fast following up touched down, converting his own try. Shortly afterwards Ketemarae were penalised near their own goal, Sam failing with the kick. Some good play by the Ketemarae backs took place, and they were nearly over in the corner. From a forward scramble Wallace scored, Heke just missing the goal from a difficult angle. Play hung in midfield for a while, and then Ketemarae backs by a nice bout of passing took play ‘to Manaia’s line. From a scrum Wallace scored, Hughes converting. Ketemarae again attacked, and Hughes marked in front of the posts, but was unsuccess--7 tbe kick. Shortly afterwards half-time sounded, with play in midfield. Manaia attacked strongly on resuming, and had Ketemarae penned on their line. A stubborn defence, however, cleared, and good play by Okaaro and King t saved the situation. Hard play in midfield followed, and then Manaia, forcing their way to Ketemarae’s line, were given a penalty, from which Sam just failed with the kick, the ball going over the post. Manaia continued to press, and were unfortunate in not scoring, Rangi falh ing on the ball after it had gone over ball lino. Manaia kept- up the pressure, and looked like scoring more than once, but Ketemarae by strenuous efforts kept them out. Shortly afterwards time was called, leaving Ketemarae winners of a hard-fought game. For the winners, Wallace and Puketapu were the pick of the forwards, and King, although holding the ball a little too long at times, was the best of the backs. Damon and Rei played well tor Manaia forwards, and Ruru Sam and Opae showed up well in the backs, lhe game was fast and open, and the occasional bright flashes of play by the Ketemarae backs delighted the ‘spectators.