TARANAKI B v. TARANAKI MAORIS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 August 1923, Page 5

TARANAKI B v. TARANAKI MAORIS.

Considerable interest was taken in the representative match between Taranaki B and a Taranaki Maori team played at Taumata Park, Eltham. The game was fast throughout and both teams gave, on the whole, a good exhibition.

Following were the teams: — Taranaki B.—Full-back, Young; three-quarters, Briggs, WaJshe, Coulton; five-eighths, Sheehan, Sturmey; half, Hooker; rover, J. Taylor-ffo r wards, Robinson, Sharroek, B. Young, McGuinness, Murphy, Hammersley, O'Eorke.

Maori team. —Full-back, Tuki Rimi ; three-quarters, T. Hohaia, Tamauui. F. Hohaia; five-eighths, Tangipo. C. Hohaia; half, H. Mana : forwards. Soffe, Peta. Ike, Williams. B. R*m, W. Skelton, Tonga: rover, J. Bavins.

Facing the wind the Ma-oris soon launched an n+tiek, Man a sending the ball to 0. Hohaia, who^ nnssed to F. Hohaia, and the latter Woked ncross field. Briggs retuiming the ball to Maori" territory.' An exchange of lons kicks! followed, at the **nd of wV>inh the Maoris were placed on the defensive. Hooker secured from a scrum and passed to Brig<rs, who if»s collared. A . series of line-outs followed and the Maoris had to seek relW by forcing a kick from Sturmey. From the dropout the Maoris. be<ran to rA+ake- the ground lost. T. Hohnia in a good run and passing to Tamanui, who was collared. "F^om a sni""ii +J"» Maori har>ks R'v-nred and tlil**"*/ the ball about attractively, but offside stopped the movement, and Hooker attempted a ecoal from half-way, hut failed. The Maons were ssam placed on the defensive, but MnnVh^ .w>« off-^W«. Bribes returned tli*l kir-V. and TuM failing to. take the ball the B cl'Vmces iir>T>r/%ved. A passing rxsh along the back line promised success. b"t' Bribers wai? <r*\Na rert "and Tuki was p-bl^- to bring relief to his side with a good run. .. His t^s,« was interrupts by Robinson, but HcGuinness .was offside. ?.nd from tbA nep"l^ tbe'.Mruvn*^ " **hI their *forws t-d"s. Bri gars. relievedl the pressure and sh^r*l^ after 'th© B j t^™ v«wi at+nckirior. gliolian Worlimr. Tpp. Maoins offered a stubborn defence and a well taken mark Rpyed the **+^- ation. Sb* iehan received Tamanui's h*H and trie^ to not a.goal, but misse^ the posts. The pressure was continued by another wiov^^^nt amo>ng the hack«t. th*» Maoris having to force- twice -in quick succession. Finally the B tes.Tn | w^* 3- rewnled, a l<yse f^'^wa.rd rush iAn diva in a fry by Hsumnersley. Hooker failed with th* kick. Tiaras naki 83, Maoris. 0. The Maoris were .still kent defending, Tuki with a tricky ■^in bringing an end to an effort by Taylor, McGuinness and Hammersley. Tuki's run enabled the Maoris to change the play. P. Hohaia was unfortunate in injuring a leg and had to retire from the field, Tito taking. his place. The Maori forwards worked play to within a few yards of the line, and W. Skelton seeing an opening made the most of it, cßving over to score a well-deserved try. Ike's kick failed. Taranaki 83, Maoris 3. Attack and counter-attack followed, both full-backs being called on to'save. The B team, had rather th% better of the play, and Robinson following up fast raced Tamanui and placed another try to the B team's account. Hooker again failed to find the posts. Taranaki B 6, Maoris 3. The spell ended shortly afterwards.

Walshe was prominent in leading an attack early in the second spell, the Maoris being forced. The Maoris had difficulty in holding the attackers, and though Mana took a mark relief was not secured for Robinson and Taylor instituted- a new rush,. ending a scrum, near, the line. "( The Maoris se* cured the /ball and by sharp passing right across,their.goal were able to find the line near half-way. . Hard play with honours even occupied the next few minutes. Briggs. made a good opening, But offside play stopped progress, and the Maoris placed the B team on the defensive. F. Hohaia tried a drop-kick, but it fell short and Taranaki B broke away in a forward rush, Tuki relieving, and enabling the backs to get under way, Tito being pushed out. An exchange of kicks, gave place to a Maori forward rrfsh, which had just been stopped when Hammersley was ruled offside. Tuki took the kick and placed a fine goal from the half-way line. Taranaki B 6, Maoris 6. The Maori team, seeking to establish a lead, threw all their energy into their play, a vigorous forward rush being stopped by a. kick by Young. Tuki accepted the ball near half-way and tried to find the posts, but his kick fell short. A moment later P. Hohaia was seen in a lone effort, but Young cellared him, and had to stem another rush almost immediately. The Maori pressure at length weakened and Briggs forced his- way down the line until collared. .. Taranaki B forwards held <he ground gained by Briggs, and the ball reaching the backs some good passing was indulged in, ending in Sheehan scoring. Sturmey's kick failed. Taranaki 89. Maoris 6. From this stage Taranaki B began to gain the ascendancy, and several strong attacks were made on the Maori line. The defence was jrood and deadly tackling made it difficult for Taranaki Bto penetrate .the defence. A passing bout began near the twenty-five-

yards line from a loose scrimmage and zig-zagged across the field until thei ball reached Sheehan, who handed it tot Coulton, the latter scoring. Sturmey'a effort again failed. Taranaki B 12? Maoris 6. The Maori forwards matte one further effort to score, but Briggsl forced and play was soon back in Maori territory, where it ended with the scores Taranaki B 12, Maori team 6.

Mr. Neilson was referee,