A WIN AT DUBBO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22632, 25 July 1935, Page 9

A WIN AT DUBBO

THE MAORI RUGBY TEAM FAR WEST SOUNDLY BEATEM (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) DUBBO, July 24. (Received July 25, at 0.15 a.m.) Without taking their opponents cheaply, the Maoris adopted an unorthodox style against the Far West team and threw the ball about in dangerously reckless fashion, to thrill 2000 spectators on the Show Ground and win by 38 points to 3. The game commenced at hurricane speed, and, although the Maoris were losing the majority of tho iset scrums, perfect handling and uncanny anticipation, particularly by Ngaia, Mellish, Harrison and Nepia, enabled them to whip the ball across the field and back in dazzling movements. The game was played on a ground that carried no grass. The weather was fine and sunny. with a slight wind. Although the score mounted steadily, Far West nevertheless provided a stern resistance and were. dangerous during many periods in the first spell. Territorially the game was even in the first half. Despite their thrusting backs, Far West tacked understanding and their _ only points came from a penalty goal in the first spell. * ' After half time the Maoris adopted even more exciting tactics, and the ball darted from hand to hand whether the Maoris were oh their, own goal line or within an inch of scoring. The Western people were having their finst taste of international football and showed their appreciation and admiration more by gasps of amazement than by vociferous cheers. A disappointing feature of the play was the inability of the Maoris to hook from set scrums, but their tactics were so unorthodox yet so pleasing that they generally made capital .from their own failings. The line-kicking was of a high order, international rules being played, but the goal-kicking wais poor, Hemi converting only two out of nine tries scored for the Maoris. The scorers were J. Reedy, Harrison, Nepia, Mellish, Ngaia, Broderick and Phillips one each, and Cooper two. E. Lay kicked a goal for Far West. During the play Bright and Keane were injured and went off. Ngaia hurt a knee and, although he played on, he will need a rest. He played brilliantly.

The teams were as follows: Maoris—Nepia, Phillips.-Ngaia, Chase, J. Reedy, Melligh, Kershaw, Mitchell, K. Reedy, Cooper, Tlawe, Parata, G. Harrison, Broderick, Hemi. Far West.—Ryan, J. Whale, Hickey, Osborne, V. Whale, E. Lay, Wheeler, Kierath, L. Lay, Kelly, Booth, Anderson, Bright, Mastertou, Keane.