NARROW RUGBY WIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 13

NARROW RUGBY WIN.

MAORIS DEFEAT AUCKLAND. MARGIN OF ONLY ONE POINT. FORWARDS BRING VICTORY. LARGE CROWD SEES GAME. The Maori Rugby team to totir Britain and France gained a notable, victory by defeating Auckland by 13 points to I*2 at Eden Park on Saturday. This was Auckland s first loss on a home ground for several years. The third hockey test match between New Zealand and the Indian Army team was played prior to the Rugby game, the double attraction drawing an attendance of 18,000. Ihe game did not reach a brilliant level, but it was generally. fast and exciting. The magnificent play of the Maori forwards, especially in the second spell, made success possible, for the backs showed little combination and, in any case, the slippery ball made passing movements difficult. Auckland mado desperate efforts in the dying stages of the game to avert defeat, but the Maoris threw up a stout defence, through which the home team could not break. Auckland held the advantage in the backs, but the " stand-and deliver" passing tactics were pursued to far too great an extent. The solid tackling of the Maoris also prevented the Aucklanders from opening out play to the usual extent.

Solid Maori Forwards. Tho home forwards played a good game, but they found solid opposition in the Maori vanguard, who time and again broke away in spirited rushes. Play was somewhat drab in tho first spell, at the end of which Auckland led by 9 points to 8. In the second half, however, both teams played with refreshing dash, and play shifted from end to end of the field with amazing rapidity. A haka was evidently regarded by the crowd as an essential preliminary to the game, and the Maoris responded to the demand >vith a suitable display of ferocity. ~A minute after the- kick-off Butler had a penalty-kick for Auckland, but failed. Then Lucas burst through, taking play into the Maoris' 25, where Butler narrowly missed with another free kick. Palmer picked the ball up in the ruck and tossed it out smartly to the Auckland backs. Meyer, Cammick, Lucas and Hook handled in succession, the latter sprinting along the side-line and cutting in to score well out. Butler's kick was a good effort, but it failed —Auckland, 3; Maoris, 0. Maoris Gain the Lead. The Auckland forwards bustled the Maori backs, giving the latter no chances to open out. Then Barclay burst through into Auckland territory, and Reid had to kick out to save. Matene had a shot from 25yds. out, but tho ball twisted in flight. Batty was off side a moment later and Matene had another attempt from almost under the posts. This time he succeeded, making the scores 3 all. • The Maoris quickly drew ahead. Butler failed to pick up the slippery ball from a hard kick-through, and Haupapa dived across for a try near the posts. Matene goaled.— Maoris, 8; Auckland, 3. Fortune frowned on Auckland s goalkicking efforts. McWilliams bad two shots from fair positions, but the baj sailed just outside the post on each occasion. Then Lucas had a shot from an easy position, his failure being greeted with a burst of laughter. ~ Auckland attacked with vigour. Hook made a bold bid for a score, but Bell push'ed him out near the corner. Meyer, first five-eighths for Auckland, retired with a shoulder injury, and Ilwersen filled the vacancy. Auckland pressed the Maoris bard until a force-down gave r The Maoris swept down in a sudden attack on the Auckland line, but were held up for a breach. Auckland retaliated, Batty, Hook and Lynch leading a rush which carried the ball ovei Maoris' line, Hook pouncing on it for a try. . McWilliams failed to conveit. —Maoris. 8; Auckland, 6. Auckland a Point Ahead. Auckland gained the lead a couple of minutes later The home team was attacking hard on the Maoris' line when Keene threw the ball out to Reid, who had only to step across the line to score. Butler's kick failed, and half-time arrived immediately afterwards with the scores:—Auckland, 9; Maoris, 8. The Maoris reappeared with a slight adjustment ir tl e team, Kingi going from fullback to first five-eighths, changing places with McDonald. ... * The standard of play brightened considerably-. Auckland attacked hotly, but Matene and 8. Gemiuell led a dribbling tush into Aucklard territory, Butler saving as he was tackled. • Auckland returned to the attack, Keene, Lynch, Batty and Hook doing good work. McDonald effected a splendid save when Auckland had the Maoris on the line. Barclay was penalised for' an infringement, but Butler missed with a kick at goai Maoris' Attack Succeeds.

Kingi and Bell led the Maoris once more to the attack, and Cammick carried the ball over to seve. From the scrum Auckland eased the pressure slightly. Matene missed with a penalty kick, but the reward of persistent effort came a few moments later i?. Gemmell hurling himself across the linu for a try. Matene converted with a splendid kick, making the scores. Maoris, 13; Auckland, 9.

Spurred by this reverse, Auckland swept the field m a rousing nish. From a scrum on tha Maoris' line Shortland took a risk in throwing a long pass to Bell. The latter was unable to clear before Lucas brought him down. Cathcart picked up the ball,, but Bell tackled liim. However, Hook was handy and dived ov> fo- a try. Butler found the kick a little too difficult. The scores then were: Maoris, 13; Auckland, 12.

Auckland maae strenuous endeavours to draw ahead. Ifwersen kicked through and followed after, but the ball went to the dead-ball line. Lucas broke through in spectacular fashion, the ball going out near the 'corner 'ihe ball came to McManus, who gave Hook a chance, but the latter was thrown out. Auckland's Final Effort. A break-away by S. Gemmell, followed by a dash by Falwasser, brought relief to the Maoris Auckland reattacked, however, the backs racing prettily in line until an awkward pass from Lucas to Reid checked tin movement.- Matene. failed in an ambitious shot at goal from hall-wav A spectacular breakaway by McWilliams brought Auckland back for a final assault on the Maoris' goal-line. Butler sent Cammic't and Lucas away, but the ball went out at the corner. Butler had a chance to place Auckland ahead when he took a kick 30vds. out from the posts, but the attempt failed. The whistle came shortly afterwards with the scores:—

New Zealand Maoris $ . . 13 Auckland 12 THE GAME AT WELLINGTON. HOME FIFTEEN SELECTED. [EY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION I .] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Wellington fifteen to meet the New Zealand Maori team is as follows:—Fullback, Taylor; three-quarters, Sutton, Grenfell, Tait; fivij-eighths, Mackenzie, Corner; halfback. H. E. Nicbolls; wingforward, Jessup; forwards, o'Regan, Warden, Mofiitt, Tyree, Pringie, Taylor, Thomas.