BIG FOOTBALL

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1929, Page 6

BIG FOOTBALL

HAWKE'S BAY'S VISIT

PLAY THIS AFTERNOON

With the game between Hawke’s Bay and North .Auckland in view, today had been long awaited by Rugby followers throughout the district. Universal disappointment was expressed at the turn of the weather which, yesterday, banked up' from the northeast, Heavy rain was accompanied by, a small gale, and after all arrangements had been made to play the game at Rugby Park, the officials reluctantly decided, this morning, to change the venue to Kensington Park. Seats were provided along the line, and despite heavy showers in the early afternoon the public rolled up in large numbers. The ground was heavy, with many pools of water on the playing surface. Hawke’s Bay fielded their best team and no' changes were made in North Auckland’s representation. THE CURTAIN -RAISER. MAORIS v. WHANGAREL Football among the many Maori players of the North is perhaps not so well organised as in other centres such as Hawke’s Bay and the King Country. This is fully recognised by Mr Lou Davies, who loses no opportunity to keep his race prominent in tiibir national game. The curtain-raiser to the Hawke’s Bay—North Auckland game this afternoon was between the Whaviigarei junior reps, winners of the Brake Shield last week, and a native junior team selected by Mr Davies, mostly from Whanannki players. The game was played on No. 2 ground at Kensington Park, in order to preserve the playing • surface on No. .1 for the big game. The teams were: —

WHiANGAREI.

Full-back. —-Storey,

Three-quarters—Hooper, Izzard, Saul. Five-eighths.—-Barraclough, and Hol-

lows. Half—Perry (captain), Rover.—ißedwood. Hookers.—Bindon and Caro. Lock. —Squires. Sides.—Clobworthy and Bestic Back Row. —Fisher and Jones,

MAORIS.

Full-back. —T. Walters. Three-quarters.— A. Pohe, Tongi, G. Moore. Five-eighths—J. Waetford, R, Moore,. Half. —F. Solomon. Rover, —P. Waetford. Hoolcers.—S. Pugh, S.* Waetford. Lock.—J. Ferguson. ‘Sides.— G. Maekie, Halverson. Back Row*.—T. Bennett, M. Maekie,

Straight away- the Maoris showed that they were capable of handling the ball in the wet. Clot-worthy led a Whangarei forward attack, but the ball was taken from his toes and passed through live pairs of hands/ the movement ending on Poke's wing, Whangarei Avere penalised, but Or. Moore's kick hit one of the markers. Clotworthy and Redwood transferred play to half way. Perry and Izzard handled nicely, but good tackling held them up. Perry missed an opportunity to, stop a Maori rush, Avhich Avas subsequently hold up by an infringement and the blue forwards, led by Fisher and Clotworthy, folloAved up fast to put the Natives in difficulties. J.. Walters tAviee got his kick in to save a score. Play swung back to the blues’ quarter and Storey .was called upon to save his j The Maoris were putting plenty of vim into their play and wherever possible opened the game up. The blue j forAvards AA'ith Fisher, Squires and Clotworthy were breaking up the passing movements, and carried play to the opposing quarter. The Whangarei backs combined and Holloavs, running straight, cut right through. He hesir tated and lo§t a ichance of scoring before the quarter ended. When the teams turned round the ball traA r elled along the Maoris' back line right to Pohe, AA’ho inpassed and sent them away again, but a dropped pass halted the attack right on the line. The blue forwards took jßay back and Hollows found the line right at the- corner. A penalty eased the position and the black and whites surged upheld. Moore mislieldod a kick and Izzard, snatched the ball up and ran with it to near the line, Avhore he lost possession for Clotworthy to pick up and score wide out. Holloavs’ kick was u “grubber,"—'Whangarei 3, Maoris 0. Squires broke through and then Care Bindon and Fisher dribbled right o\’or the line, but the latter was deprived of a score by t,he full-back forcing. Whangarei's forwards Avorc dominating tue play and Hooper was given a chance A\ r ith a penalty dose up. His kick dropped short by inches. A little later, ho Avas given another chance and this time the ball struck the bar and bounced infield. The Whangarei forwards were right on top, but the ball was kicked into touch in goal and the half-time score wns: Whangarei 3. Maoris 0,

Whangarei attacked, on resuming, but the Maori forwards with Halverson broke right through and actually got over the line, to be recalled for knockon. Whangarei counter-attacked and nftrr a scramble in front of the goal