Maoris Score Close Win Over Pakehas

Northern Advocate, 17 July 1939, Page 2

Maoris Score Close Win Over Pakehas

The annual fixture between Maori and pakcha representative teams, played on No. 2 ground at Kensington Park on Saturday, was . won by the Maoris, by eight points to six. The game was closely contested from start to finish, and never at any time was there enough difference between the teams to make victory seem certain for either side. Both teams produced fast, spectacular football, the ball being handled nicely by the backs, while the forwards fought out some great duels in tight and loose. The Pakehas opened the scoring, Green sending to Hewitt, the winger, who went over for an unconverted try. The Maoris backed up well and their opponents found difficulty in keeping them out, G. Nika ultimately going over in a scramble for an unconverted try, which made the score even. The Maoris came again, and Wharerau opened up a movement which Taylor, who came up from full-back, finished efif, Heta converting. With only a couple of minutes to go, the Pakeha backs functioned nicely, and T. Abbott went over to score in a handy position, but Roos failed with an attempt at conversion, which, if succesful, would have tied the score, and the final whistle came a moment later to give the Maoris victory by two points.