MAORIS’ EASY WIN

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 25 July 1935, Page 3

MAORIS’ EASY WIN

MATCH AGAINST FAR WEST NGAIA PLAYS BRILLIANTLY HARRISON ALSO IN FORM. lOnited Preca Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). DUB BO (N.S.W.), July 24. Without taking their opponents’ cheaply the Maori Rugby team Adopted an unorthodox style against Far West and threw the ball about in dangerously reckless fashion to thrill 2000 spectators on the showgrounds and win by 38 points to three.* The game commenced at hurricane speed and, although the Maoris were losing the majority of set scrums, the perfect handling and uncanny anticipation of all, particularly Ngaia, Mellisb. Harrison and Nepia, enabled tbero to whip the ball across the field and hack in dazzling movements. The game was played on a grassless ground. The weather was fine and sunny, with a slight wind. Although the score mounted steadily Far West nevertheless provided stern resistance and was dangerous during many periods of the first spell. Territorially the game was even in tfie first half. Despite thrusting' backs, Far West lacked understanding and their only points came from a penalty goal in the first spell.

After half-time the Maoris adopted even more exciting tactics. The ball darted from hand to hand whether the Maoris were on their own goal line or within an inch of scoring. The Western people, having tlieir first taste of international football, showed their appreciation and admiration more by gasps of amazement than by their vociferous cheers.

The disappointing feature of play was the inability of the Maoris to hook from set scrums, but their tactics were so unorthodox and unlike the New Zealand stylo and yet so pleasing that they generally made capital from their own failings. The line-kicking was of a high order, international rules being played, but the goal-kicking was poor. Hemi converted only two out of nine tries scored for the Maoris. The scorers of tries were J. Reedy, G Harrison, Nepia, Mellish, Ngaia, Broderick, Phillips and Cooper (2). E. Lau kicked a goal for Far West. Ngaia hurt his knee and, although he played on, he will need rest. He played brilliantly to-day. The teams were:

Maori.—Nepia; Phillips, Hemi, Ngaia ; Chase, J. Reedy; Mellish; Kershaw, Mitchell, K. Reedy, Cooper, Kawe, Parata, G. Harrison, Broderick.

Far West—Rvan ; J. Whale, Hickey, Osborne, V. Whale; E. Lay; Wheeler, Kierath. L- Lay; Kelly, Booth, Anderson, Bright, Masterton, Keane. Keane and Bright were injured.

WELLINGTON BEAT W AIR ARAPA. SCORE 23 POINTS TO THREE. WELLINGTON, July 24.' In a game that was bright despite shocking conditions, the Wellington Rugby representative team beat Wairapara at Athletic Park to-dav by 23 points to three. Driving rain fell almost continuously and the hall became very greasy.

Wellington’s six tries were scored by Fleming, Hull, Lynch, Barry, Lnmason and Pollock. Lamason converted Pollock’s try and kicked a penalty goal. Wairarapa’s score came from a penalty goal kicked by Fuller. The Wellington forwards, though beaten in the majority of set scrums, dominated the game, Fraser-Smith, Hull, Leahy and Wells playing particularly well. At full-back Crisp was very safe and started several movements.

The Wairarapa backs, fed with the ball, did not get going. BEBBINGTON SHIELD MATCH. BUSH AND DANNEVIRKE DRAW. PAT&ATUA, July 24. In steady rain on a ground churned to a quagmire iby a junior curtainraiser, Bush retained the Bebbington Shield, drawing with Dannevirke, 3all. Udy kicked a penalty goal for Bush in the first spell and Montieth scored a. try for Dannevirke. The second half was purely a mud scramble. The issue was in doubt till the end.