MAORI RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 20 August 1929, Page 3

MAORI RUGBY.

.PARIHAIvA SHIEiI/l> GAME. NGATIRUANUI RETAIN TROPHY NGARAURU BEATEN. 22 TO 3. Playing at Okaiawa yesterday, tile Ngatiruanui (Ha/wera) district Rugby fifteen, present holders of the Parihaka Shield, retained the trophy in a challenge game with the Ngarauru (AVaitotara) district representatives, the

scores being 22 points (six tries two converted) to 3 (a try). In both forward and rear division play Ngatiruanui proved the better combination and though the visitors made a game bid at one stage of the second spell, the issue was never seriously in doubt after the opening quarter, though impartial support to both sides was by a gathering of several hundred spectators. A stiff breeze assisted Ngarauru during the opening stages, but dropped before the interval and thereafter proved hardly sufficient to raise the touch flags. Pine weather prevailed during the game and, though the ground was heavy with, previous rain, a. fast pace was maintained. The teams wore us follow: •

Ngatiruanui (Black). —Tulki; Bashaw, Ngaia, Toss; Awahou, Poi; Skipper (half) : Rangi Rum (rover); AVatson, Tito; T. Malcolm, Ike (lock), R. Williams (captain); AVhareitu, Rakei (hookers). Ngarauru (Ret! and Black). —K. Broughton; Urn, Ruahina, Murphy; Peina, AVhakarua. (captain); Gray (half) ; P. Bennett (rover); Jvarepa, H. Tamou; Taiuru, P. Broughton (loch), T. Broughton; D. Broughton,, T. Tamou (hookers). Ngatiruanui lost the toss and had to face a stiff breeze in the opening session, but the forwards went up smartly with Ike’s kick-off ball, and the Red hacks were hard pressed. The latter handled well, but were unable to reach the Blacks’ half of the field and five minutes from the commencement of tlie game Rang! Ruru, Rake:, and AVhareitu surged over the line for a try by AVhareitu. Skipper converted. Ngatiruanui 5. Ngarauru 0. AVJiakarua and Peina wore noted in clever play which put the visitors in attacking position and the right wing, Murphy, made a number of likely runs, but could not pass Toss. Though the Red rear division played with understanding, combination and knowledge of the game was lacking in the forwards, position frequently being lost by over eager grub kicking. A couple of attempts with penalty kicks failed to produce results for Ngarauru. Half-way through the spell Bjishaw made an interception at midfield and transferred to Ngaia, who carried on for a. mix-up near the line, the bid terminating with a dive to score by Awahou'. Again Skipper secured the extra points. A moment later Ike made a charge from a. midfield rude, to* be collared just short of the line. AVith two men in support a try seemed likely, but the ball was knocked forward and Ngarauru relieved from the scrum. The visiters were dangerous in brief sallies into the home twenty-five, but the Riuanui backs were sound and the line was not crossed except for two occasions when long punts resulted in forces by Tuki. Points came to Ngatiruanui again about five minutes before the close of the spell, when Awahou made a dash and sent Malcolm on for a good try which Skipper was unable to convert. In the few remaining moments a penalty to Ngarauru again failed to raise the bags unci on attempted pot by Bennett went wide. Half-time found the score:

Ngatiruanui 13 Ngarauru 0 (Alterations among the Red backs for the second spell found AVhakarua play- ■ ing behind the scrum, Peina first fiveI eighth, Rauhina second, Murphy centre I and Gray in Murphy’s former place on I the right wing. The first incident was a. Block 'forward 'rush, which was turned by the Ngarauru full-back. Ngaia. tried the goal unsuccessfully with a long range penalty. At the end of seven minutes Ngarauru turned defence into attack when AVhakarua made a thrust from the Reds’ half of the field and handed to Peina, who outpaced the defence to score well out. Ngatiruanui 13, Ngarauru 3. Ngatiruanui replied by forcing the Reds immediately. Attempts to pot by Tuki and Awahou meant the loss of "ground to Ngatiruanui. both endeavours going behind the lino well away from the goal. In both back and forward play Ngarauru were showing improved form and held the advantage for several minutes. The fast pace eventually told, however, and two tries came to the home side in quick succession, the first resulting from a run by Awahou and Burn followed with another score bv Malcolm, which Skipper failed to convert ami the second from a- close quarters rush by the forwards, ending in a score by AA'haireitu. which Ngaia was unable to improve. The score then showed: Ngatiruanui 19, Ngarauru 3. The visitors’ effort earlier in the spell proved but a flash in the pan and before long Toss followed a cross kick by Ngaia to notch Ngatiruamii’s sixth try. Ruru made a good but unsuccessful attempt to convert from close to the touch line. Ngatiruanui held a decided territorial advantage in the concluding stages, but wero unable to again penetrate, the final score still, showing:—Ngatiruanui 22 Ngarauru 3 Mr J. F. Kiley was referee.