RUGBY AT THE BAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4286, 31 May 1950, Page 8

RUGBY AT THE BAY

A LARGE CROWD ATTENDS PAKEHA WINS SHIELD ' A large crowd from all parts of the Mercury Bay area gathered at 1 Whitianga recently to see the annual 1 Maori v Pakeha match for the Heather < shield. : Rain during the early stages of the game made the ball difficult to handle 1 Ibut there were many flashes of open < play and the game was always bright. Pakeha retained the trophy by a 1 margin of three points, which was a < fair indication of the play. Following Pakeha’s (kickoff, Maoris < swept to the attack. P. Beadi sent to Winiata, who penetrated, but a forward jpaiss spoilt a good unlove. 1 Maori forwards, led by Peachy, broke < through in a dribbling rush to the fullback. F. Marshall cleared with a < good line kick. The Maori pack hooked well and P. < Beach broke round the side of the i scrum in a spectacular run which lack- : ed support. Pakeha’s first attack came when the forwards took play to the < twenty-five where I. Simpson opened 1 play to G. Simpson, Bradshaw, and . Martinovich, who combined well, only to be beaten to the touch-down. A period of even play, in which Pakeha forwards began to hook better, ended when N. ‘Morrison secured in the loose, and passed to D. Morrison. A Simpson swept up in support, to take a good -pass, and pave the way for J. Bradshaw to go over and finish a splendid move. The kick failed. Pakeha 3, Maoris 0. - Fast forward work from both packs kept' the game bright. Good handling by lan Simpson and George Simpson, gave Taylor a break down the line, only to be forced out. Half time came with the score still three nil in Pakeha’s favour. Following the spell, Maoris attempted to keep the play open but although the rain had ceased, the ball remained very greasy. Several attempts by P. Beach, Winiata and A. Beach were good to see but failed to shake the defence. Pakeha forwards with A. Simpson arid R. Marshall j prominent, kept Maoris on the de- j fence, where B. Heath cleared several ] times with well placed line kicks. K. Marshall sent the ball out nicely ■ to his backs, when G. Simpson and ‘Martinovich handled well, but good 1 tackling by A. Just blocked Pakeha’s attack. .For the last 10 minftites Maoris pressed strongly, chiefly with back play. Wingers Durrant, and Wharepapa, both made determined runs, but each tame were forced out. The game ended with the score still Pakehas 3, Maoris 0. Mr F. Donaghy was referee, Immediately after the match, Mr ,C. H. M. Simpson, president of the Mericury Bay Rugby Union, presented the Heather shield to R. Marshall, captain of the Pakeha team, jfn replying/ Mr Marshall thanked his team-mates, and congratulated the on their performance. The teams were:— Maori: B. Heath, Wharepapa, R. Durrant, N. ‘Winiata, P. Beach, Te / Q McKee, A. Just, R. Hale, W. Just, Thompson, C. Peachey, A. White, J. Williams and A. Beach. Pakeha: F. Marshall, D. Taylor, E. Lee, J. Bradshaw, T. Martinovich, G. Simpson, I. Simpson, N. Morrison, D. Morrison, <D. Brunton, R. Marshall, K. Marshall, K. Camp, A. Simpson and . L. Olliver.