RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20023, 13 August 1928, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MAORI DAY AT EDEN PARK. 'A' PROVINCIAL TRIAL MATCH. NORTH DEFEATS SOUTH. Such v.'as (be success of the initial Maori Day at Eden I'atJc on Saturday that the Auckland Rugby Union could be well advised to make it an annual feature in the football programme. The cro.vd of over 3000 did not see any really great football, but it was given an exhibition of fast, unorthodox Rugby, typical of the Maori stylo of play. The principal attraction was a game between the Northern and Southern Maoris, a trial match to select the Auckland provincial Maori side to meet a. team from Hawkc's Bay and the East Coast for the Prince of Wales Cup. In a game which contained many spectacular incidents and revealed players of class on both sides, the Northern team won by 22 points to 31.

The Northerners were slow to start and their opponents had the better of the opening spell. Then the Northern pack, led by the Rika brothers, struck form and, giving a plentiful supply of the ball to Shortland, as brilliant a half-back as has been seen at Eden Park this season, assured their side of victory. Watene, the Manukau threequarter, played a fine game at fullback for the Northern team, ■while in the Southern team W. Jones and Phillips shone as excellent individualists on attack.

The Maori college teams, which played in the curtain-raiser, and both the trial teams were seen in inspiring hakas be lore the commencement of the match. This was not the least-popular feature of the afternoon.

Play opened brightly. "Wallace, the Southern fullback, stemmed an attack by the [Northern forwards with a quick cut-through. "Watene attempted a clearing kick, but the "hall was well taken by Phillips, who put in a fine dash down the side-line, beating several opponents to score in the corner. The kick failed. The same was very even, although, as individuals, some of the Southern backs ■were always dangerous. W. Jones broke through well, but his pass to Phillips was blocked and Shortland saved. The Northern ■ forwards attacked and gave their backs -the hall. Crisp passing and some clever drawing by the inside sent H. Paki over for a good try. Rata converted, und the Northern team led by two points. The Northern forwards and backs opened the second spell with a fine combined rush, in which Ruru and M. Rika were prominent, but Rata knocked-on. The fine forward play of the Rika brothers kept the Southern team in check. The Northern backs, too, were superior as a combination, although several movements broke down at Mcfene. The crowd cheered as mado a great run. from fullback, but, after dummying a couple of opponents, lie was brought down ■within a few yards of the line. However, Shortland continued to provide hist backs ■with plenty of opportunities, and finally Turei made a.fine opening when it appeared that he was jammed on the line, and Rata came round to score a good try. Mateuo failed with the kick. The Southern forwards then made their first really concerted effort, and carried play to the Northern line. There W. Jones picked up in the loose and dived over. Lea's kick .hit an upright, breaking off about 10ft. of timber, but going over inside the posts. The scores at half-time were:— Northern Maoris 8 Southern Maoris S The Northern backs opened the second lialf with an exhibition of running across field. It was left to the forwards to do most of the real attacking. From a scrum on it-he Southern line, they heeled back and Shortland dodged round to score. The Jack failed. Play alternated between the drab and the spectacular, until a zig-zag run by Ruru nut- the Northern Maoris 011 the attack. The forwards carried on and "heeled back to Shortland, who whipped out a. long po3s to Turei. The centre dived over for an unconverted try, his side leading by 1-1 points to 8. Phillips, on the wing for the Southerners, showed elusiveness and pace when in possession, but in two fine runs he was unsupported. The Northern inside backs were much superior to their opponents, and once again crisp passing gave Turei a try Watene kicked a fine goal. The Northerners continued to attack in the final spell. There was one brilliant movement, when backs and forwards swept downfiekl in a fine passing rush. Kaa tried to score himself when he was well supported, and a great opportunitv was lost The Southerners countered, throwing: the ball about recklessly, and Stubbing scored between the posts. Lee failed with the kick. The Northerners rested on fheir lead in the closing stages, although Watene added to his side's points with a penalty goal The game ended with the scores:— Northern Maoris .. .. -..22 Southern Maoris 11 Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER. ST. STEPHEN'S BEAT WESLEY. The curtain-raiser to the Maori trial match at Eden Park was provided by 3. keen game between St. Stephen's School for Maori Boys ond "Wesley College, Pup.rata, the St. Stephen's team making a late effort, to win by S points to G.. The game contained moments of very bright football, the powerful kicking of several of the boys being a feature. "Wesley College was the first to score. Tukua touching down for an unconverted try. The scores drew level in the second half, when Wooremu scored a good try. but "Wesley asain took the lead, Amouketi kickiug a penalty goal. The best piece- of play in the match, a smart cut ill-field and a speedy dash by Watling, resulted in a fry between the posts, which equalised Ibc scores, in tho final stages, and Miki. by converting, gave St. Stephen's the victory. Mr. A. Mackay was referee. AUCKLAND B TEAM. MATCH WITH BAY OF PL EX IT. The following players have been selected by Messrs. V. R. Meredith and S. Cieal to represent Auckland against the Bay ot Plenty on Saturday:— Fullback Paewai (Grafton); threequarters, R. Couper (Technical Did Boys),. Stuart. Stoupe iMarist); five-eighths. Canvmick. Berridge (Ponsonbv) ; halfback, McManus (POll- - rover, S'oloruon (North Shore): forwards. Hindenach (University). Brimble (Manukau), Catheart (Grammar), Rightou (Ponsonby), Anderson (Lriivcrsity), L. Knight (Grammar). Smith (North Shore>. Emergencies: Jamieson (Ponsonby), Skelton (Grammar), Satherley (Manukau), McCarthney (Ponsonby). The team will practice nt the North Shore ehed at 7.30 on Wednesday evening. POLLARD CUP GAMES. ?RESULTS IN SECOND BE HIES. Following are the results iu the second series of Pollard Cup matches played on Saturday:— . , Grammar Old Boys, 2:) (two tries by Williams. one each by P. Skelton, It. Scnnauer, G. Skelton, It, Potter and J. Wilson, a. conversion each by P. Skelton and L. Knight and a dropped goal by "Weir), beat Otahuhu, 0. Marathon. 19 (three tries by Stewart, one each by Leach and Bishop and two conversions by Bishop), beat City, 12 (three tries by Crook and 0110 by Hudson). Technical Old Boys. 21 (two tries by K. Couper, one each by Ilogg, Turbott and •Mclntvre, and three conversions by Keane), beat North Shore, C (try by Solomon and penalty goal by Stokes). Marist, 23 (two tries by Johnston, one each by Marshall, Locke and Main, two conversions by Peters and a potted goal by Coburnj, beat University, 9 (try by Miller, goal from fl- mark by Mackay and penalty goal by Bush). Suburbs, 21. beat Newton, 3. RESULTS IN JUNIOR GAMES. Following are tho results of matches played in the junior grades on Saturday:— Second. Grade.—City Council, 13. Poneonby, 12: Hauraki. 15, College Rifles, 13; Pam ell won by default from University Colts. Third - Grade.—Eden, 33, Waitemata, 3; College Rifles. 11. Technical Old Boys. 3; Kingsland. 10. Kohimarama B, 3; University. 10. North Shore, S; Marathon. 24, ilanurewa, 0.

Third Grade Intermediate.—Eden, 18, Grafton, 6; Newton, 20, Technical Old Boys, 3; University, 12, Grammar, 9; Suburbs won by default from North Shore. Fourth Grade.—Bilworth, 14, Ellerslie, 6; Blue Star, S, Penrose, 0; Marist. 22, City, 0: Grammar, 3, Kingsland, 0: Ponßonby. 24, Manukau, 0; Technical Old Boys, 4. Manu* rewa, 0; Grafton. 6, Suburbs, 0; Eden, 6, lost and Telegraph, 5; Parnell, 11, North Shore, 9. Fifth Grade.—Manukau, 48, City, 0. Sixth Grade.—Pousonby, 25, Papatoetoe, 0; Suburbs. 9. Kingsland, G; Manukau, 19, Otahuhu. 0.

Seventh Grade.—Marist A, 14, Parnell, 3; Manukau, 24, Rechabites, 0. ec °ndary Schools.—Third grade: Grammar, 19, Takapuna, 3.