TEAMS GO FULL OUT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 5

TEAMS GO FULL OUT

M.A.C. Overcome Marist A great battle was waged by M.A.C. and Marists at Nelson Park, Hastings, in the main attraction of the afternoon, and on several occasions, particularly late in the second spell, the atmosphere was hectic and tempers rather short. Play throughout was exceptionally keen and honours very even, Marists playing a purely defensive game while leading by a point. However, the Maoris kept hammering f ~y and were successful in snatching victory by a margin of four points.

The teams lined as follow: —M.A.C. —Nutana, Hawea, McKay, Te Where, Crawford, Smith, Kuru, Te Ngaio, Cotter, Waretini, Reid, Barber, Thompson, Svmons, Greening. Marist, —Brewer, Allen, Jordan, Reid, Benson, O’Roukc, Moss, Ireland, Mason, Exeter, Armstrong, O’Brien, King, Melson, Mclvor. The big crowd assembled on the main stand jvere given a couple of good thrills early in the game, for within five minutes of the start each side had scored. The Maoris were the first to go on the offensive, the forwards attacking strongly, and securing from the ruck Crawford cut through the defence to cross the line only to be called back for a knock-on. From the resulting scrum Reid gained possession and battled his way over for a well-earned try. He failed to convert. M.A.C. 3 —o. Marist followed up the drop-out and tho return kick went to Benson, who landed a good field goal. Marist 4—3. The Maoris set about regaining the lead and strove to open up the game but the backs could not get going as a combination, though individually some of the backs figured in excellent breaks. Marists made a brief sortie only to retire again after Mat O’Brien had missed on a long-range drop-kick at goal. M.A.C. continued to hold a territorial advantage but were finding Marists hard on the defence, the whole team in this respect working excellently. An interception by O ’Rouke on the inside of half-way gave the crowd a rare thrill for he jazzed his way through the M.A.C. backs to almost reach the line but Allen missed his pass and a certain try was thrown away. The Maoris lost no time returning to the attack, backs and forward going at a great pace and severely testing the Marist defence but the interval was called without further change in the score which read: Marists 4, M.A.C. 3.

Upon resumption Marists again adopted the “find-the-line” tactics which the Maoris found difficult to combat. The latter endeavoured desperately to open up the game but were only partially successful. A bright passing bout by the M.A.C. backs was rendered futile when To Whero passed forward almost on the goal-line. Gradually Marists cleared their quarter-way, the forwards having to work hard for every yard gained. Rallying well for » final effort the Maoris cast aside all restraint and hurled backs and forwards at the Marist defence, which treated under the pressure. A possible try went astray when Kuru, after cutting round the side of the scrum, was unsupported a few inches off the line, Reid, who was standing off-side, handling the ball and was penalised for Mat O’Brien to find temporary relief with a long kick. Taking a cross-kick McKay returned the Maoris to the attack and again they made the pace a cracker. At this stage Exeter was carried off on a stretcher, having suffered slight concussion. He was replaced by F. Mahoney. Following this respite the Maoris renewed their attack and they gained the goal-line where there was a scrum. The Maoris heeled and Kuru dived over the pack for a thrilling try. Reid added tho extra points. M.A.C. S—4. At this stage Mason retired and was replaced by J. O’Brien. Upon resumption both sides indulged in hard play and in addition to the referee issuing several warnings, a constable on the side-line adding his caution. While the teams steadied up a little they still made the pace solid but time put an end to the battle with the scare reading: M.A.C. .. .. .. •• .. « Marists • • •• •• •• 4 Mr 1,. Patrick refereed.