Whangarei High Beats Avondale

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1948, Page 7

Whangarei High Beats Avondale

Rugby

The Whangarei Boys’ High School first XV turned on sparkling football at Avondale yesterday to beat the first XV of the Avondale Technical College by 22 points to 11. It was the annual match between the two schools and the game was productive of collegiate Rugby at its best.

Superiority in the forwards, which gave the Whangarei team a monopoly of the ball, safer handling by the backs and more consistent backing up were largely responsible for the victory. The best try of the day was scored by Calder. He and L. Thomson swept from halfway to the goal-line with a brilliant burst of in-and-out passing that left the opposition bewildered.

Other scorers for Whangarei were S. Thomson, L. Thomson and Dickie. Maihi converted tw r o and kicked two penalty goals. Avondale notched two tries, one converted, and a penalty goal.

The Whangarei Boys’ High School first XV plays its annual match against Mt. Albert Grammar on Wednesday as the principal curtain-raiser to the Northland-Wairarapa fixture in Whangarei.

Northland College Wins

Playing the principal curtain-raiser to the New Zealand Maoris v. Auckland game at Eden Park on Wednesday. Northland College beat Wesley College, 18—12. The match was replete with spectacular incidents. Side-Stepping S. African Issue TAUPO. Fri. (Sp.).—‘'The attitude of the New Zealand union gives the impression that it is deliberately sidestepping the whole issue and, rather than run the risk of displeasing its hosts, the South African Rugby Board of Control, it is prepared to sacrifice the Maori players in order to retain the goodwill and fellowship of the South Africans. The attitude will have a detrimental effect on Rugby among Maori players.” These remarks* were made yesterday by Mr T. A. Grace, president of the Taupo Rugby Sub-union and formerly a well-known member of Maori teams, including the famous 1921 side which played against the South Africans at Napier.

Mr Grace said he considered the NZRU had failed in its duty to the Maori people by not convening a conference with the Maori Advisory Board and other leaders of the Maori people over the South African tour.