RUGBY GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2993, 26 July 1911, Page 60

RUGBY GOSSIP.

A. Budcl, the well-known South Canterbury footballer, left Timaru for Australia on Saturday. ... Mr D. Gallagher was offered the po.-it.on of manager for the North Island country representative team’s tour by the “’ w Zealand Rugby Union, but owing to business reasons he waa unable lo accept the otter. “Paddy” Long, a member of the 190 a Row Zealand team, has had his disqualification lifted by the New Zealand Rugoy Union. It is stated that he will probably don the jersey once again for the New con Club, Auckland. . ,i Pat- “They tell mo your son is m tne college football eleven.” Barney; ‘Yes, indeed/’ Pat; “Do you know what ,■ position ho plays?” Barney: “I ain’t s^ e _> kut i think he’s one of the drawbacks! Football is a manly sport, but it it degenerated into violent acts it degraded both players and spectators, said Lora Coleridge at the Somersetshire Assizes at Wells, when a footballer was charged with assaulting another player during a match. The South Sydney v Newtown match, m conjunction with which the great footrace waa run, attracted 19,000 people to the Royal Agricultural Society’s ground after _ a wee* of rain. The charge for admission was one shilling, and the takings amounted to £9BO approximately. It is therefore a record for a club match in Now South Wales. , ~ , , At the finish of a recent football match a youngster, in his hurry to get out, scrambled over the palings that surround a portion of the ground, A burly policeman, standing by, shouted tobim as he was about to drop outside: “You young rascal. Why don’t yon go'' out tbe way you came in?” “So I am!” shouted tbe boy, as he vanished into the crowd. When the New Zealand Universities team played against the Metropolitan Fifteen at Sydney recently it was cabled to New Zealand that there were only 200 spectators at the match. The message, was evidently sent in error, a<s, according to the Sydney papers, the attendance was considerably over 3000.

The English Rugby Union accounts for the season show a credit balance on. the match account of £3426 12s 4d, of which £2346/ 5s 4cl accrued from the game with Scotland at Twickenham. There, is on the cash account a credit balance of £llO7 5s lOd, as against £24 13s 7d brought forward from 1909-10.

Messenger, with the ease of genius, deftly ©vakeel every tackle and scored. As on© man, the huge .crowd rose and wildly cheered their idol. Then, as the Eastern. Suburbs skipper placed the ball for goal there came a great silence. “I say, Dally,” cried a whimsical voice from the densest part of the crowd, “how about cornin’ round ter tea. on Sunday?”

A Wellington appreciation of an ex-Otago player: “E,. M'Donald was the bright particular star of the blue rearguard,, and ho scintillated all the afternoon. The Athletic five-eighth is exceptionally clever with his hands, and his feinting runs had Old Boys guessing time after time. Another such game should place McDonald in the running for representative honours.” The New Zealanders opened their matches in very poor form—that is, in the first half of the first match (says Sydney Referee). But after that their football was first-rate, the backs improving considerably. They have gone back with two well-merited victories against the Sydney University. It is the first time that the visiting team has -won twice in these matches, and that is a matter on which the New Zealanders are to be most sincere! y com pi iroented. There is no falling off in public interest in amateur "Rugby in Wales. At Cardiff the club match Cardiff v. Harlequins (London) attracted 30,030 spectators. An interesting game, in which the short, quick passing of the Welsh hacks was more effective than the lob passing of the Harlequins, ended in a victory for Cardiff by 2 goals to 1. R. A. Gibbs (three-quarter) "and W. L. Morgan (half), who toured New Zealand and Australia with the last British team in 1903, played for Cardiff.

OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The weekly meeting of the Otago Rugby Union was hold on Monday evening, when there wore present—Messrs A. Dey (in the chair), White, Harris, King, Macdonald, Low, Duncan, Priest, Sandes, Stuart, Dunne, and Cavaxiagh. THE ALHAMBSA APPEAL. This appeal was' brought up from the previous meeting. The Alhambra Club had appealed against a try being awarded Pirates under the following circumstances, as related by the Alhambra secretary: An Alhambra player was penalised for being off-side. The referee awarded a penalty kick to Pirates to be taken at the spot where the ball was last played—• instead of whore tho Alhambra player committed the breach, which was a considerable distance nearer the touch-lino, or instead of a fcrumraago as laid down in Rule 8, marked (e) and (f). From the penalty kick a Pirates player followed up and scored a try. The referee (Mr M‘Taggart) wrote stating that he penalised the Alhambra wing three-quarter for being off-side while the ball was in a sorum. He gave the kick where the scrum was, and Pirates had a shot at goal, but missed. Alhambra failed to force' tho ball, and a Pirates man touched it down and a try was awarded. It was decided Co dismiss the appeal and return the deptosit, tho Alhambra Club to bo forwarded a copy of the referee’s letter. VISITING TEAMS. A letter was received from the Taranaki Rugby Union stating that the Taranaki team would arrive in Dunedin on Thursday, August 31, from Invercargill. The secretary to make arrangements for accommodating the team.

The Wanganui Rugby Union intimated that its team would fulfil its engagement with Otago on Saturday, August 19.

APPOINTMENT OF REFEREES. H. H. S. White (ho.i. secretary of the Referees’ Association t) wrote forwarding the names of a number of referees who would be able to referee in the match on August 5 (South Island Minor Unions match). Mr White also applied for a grant of £3O towards referees’ expenses. A sub-committee composed of Messrs King, Dunne, and Stuart was appointed to select five names, to be sent on to the New Zealand Union. —It was decided to pay the sum of £3O to the Referees Association. A PLAYER ORDERED OFF. Mr H. H. S. White, referee in the Southern-Pirates match. wrote as follows;—“I have to report having ordered U. Do re ham, of the Southern team, off the field of play on Saturday for misconduct. Early in the second spell I penalised Southern for off-side play, Boreham attempting to hook the ball out of a scrum with his loft foot while his right foot was in front of the ball. This occurred a little later, and I said, ‘ Off-side, Boreham; free kick Pirates.’ My reason for mentioning Boroham’s name was for the purpose of drawing his attention to tho fact that he was the cause of the infringements, as on the previous occasion I did not do so. Ho : mniodlately replied in a sarcastic manner, ‘ Well, you need not call my name out so much,’ and used other remarks inaudible to me. I said.

' There is no necessity to talk like that,’ and warned him not to do so again. Southern were again penalised for one of their forwards standing on the Pirates’ side of a line-out. Boreham exclaimed, ‘lt is a moral I was off-side.’ However, I could not say whether fie used those remarks to me. Shortly afterwards another sorum was formed, and Boreham again attempted to hook the ball out of the serum when off-side. I again said, ‘Off-side. Boreham; free kick, Piratets.’ Boreham again replied in a very sharp manner, ‘ Don't oall my name; I was not off-side.’ I then ordered him off the field of play. Boreham’s play during the time he participated in tbs' game was exceptionally clean, but he appeared to have an idea that when a decision was given against him ho should argue tho point with tho referee. I consider if a referee is to have proper control of the game his decisions must be respected by the players.” ft was decided to ask Boreham to attend at next Monday’s meeting of tho union. AN OAMARTJ SUSPENSION. R. C. Ongley wrote in re his disqualification by the North Otago Sub-union. —It was decided that Ongley be informed that his appeal must come through the North Otago Sub-union; the North Otago Union to be asked why no notification of the disqualification had so far been received by the governing body. GENERAL. Allan Stead, hon. secretary of the Eastern District Sub-union, wrote stating that his union had a claim from a player (M. Alexander) for injury received in the match Pioneer v. Mataura, on July 19. He wished to know if this was the same Alexander that was playing in the University, and as to the date when he received his transfer, as the writer’s subunion had transferred him from the Waikaka Club to the local Pioneer Club on March 31. —It was deckled to ask the University Club to supply the date of the first match Alexander bad played in for them.

A. A, Paape, hon. secretary of the Southland Rugby Union, wrote stating that the Schools’ Association there ' id fixed the age of school players at the commencement of the current season at 15 years at May 1. This meant that their boys were eligible to play provided they did not exceed that age at the date mentioned. The Southland Union asked that the local union adopt the same age with respect to reprcserdiaiUve. matches.—Noted. It was also decided to ask the Southland Union for a suitable date for the interprovincial match, to be played in Dunedin this year. James Richardson, hon. secretary Owaka Football Club, again wrote asking that his team be allowed to play a match with a Dunedin senior club. It was suggested that Saturday, August 5, at about 1 o’clock, would be a suitable time, as the team would then be able to leave for home in the evening train.—Left to the secretary to arrange for a match as a curtain-raiser to the South Island Minor Unions’ match. - E. M. Blackie, hon. secretary of the Otago Ladies’ Hookey Association, wrote applying for the use of the Oarisbrook Ground on August 19, for the purpose of playing the interprovincial match against Canterbury.—Granted, provided the ground is not required by the union for that date. The O.F.A, forwarded a copy of the proposed reciprocal agreement as between it and the O.R.F.U. —Received. R. Adamson, referee in the senior match University v. Zingari). reported having cautioned Russell (Zingari) and M‘lntyro (University) for wrestling with each other during the progress of that match. —Both names were added to the cautioned list. R. Heron (referee) reported having cautioned Taylor, of the Zingari-Richmond Fourth, for questioning his decisions in the match against Pirates Fourth. The player’s name to be placed on the cautioned list. SOUTH OTAGO RUGBY This year there are only three teams competing for the Senior Grade Banner in South Otago, and interest in the game has fallen off to a considerable extent. The Owaka team, which for the last 10 years has consistently played well, and got its name on the banner for more than half that number of years, is in a fair way to again carry off the honours, while Toko (Milton), which has always been a strong rival, is now the only other team in the running. The positions of the three teams are; Owaka, three wins, 6 points; Toko, two wins, one loss, 4 points; and Clyde-vale-Waiwera, three losses. Next Saturday Owaka and Toko will play off at Balclutha. Six teams are playing in the Junior Competition, and- Stirling, which has an unbeaten record', has a lead which leaves the issue of the competition beyond doubt. The annual match between the Otago and Southland Commercial Traveller's will be played at Balclutha on Saturday next. Four matches have been played, and both teams have two wins to their credit. A' groat contest is expected in the coming game. An interesting football match was played at Balclutha on Saturday between Explayers and the Balclutha Club, and the gate money was given to the Balclutha

Coronation Memorial, which is in the shape of an avenue on the reserve. The game resulted in a win for the club by 6 points to nil. RUGBY UNION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. WELLINGTON, July 20. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met to-night. In connection with the country tour it was reported that a difficulty bad been experienced in securing a manager for the North Island team. It was decided to ask Mr J. Sweeney to undertake the office, and, failing acceptance by him, that the secretary (Mr J. D. Avery) conduct the tour. The Secretary reported that all arrangements in connection with the tour we to now well in hand. After consideration of an appeal from the White Star Club (West Coast) the committee decided to inform it, through the Buffer Union, that the matter was one for local jurisdiction. Mr R. M. Isaacs and Mr J. Laughton ■were elected to represent the union on the Appointment Board. The committee endorsed the following disqualifications, intimation of which was received from the respective unions: —o. Harvey, Marlborough, for the rest of the season, for striking an opponent; T. Fox and G. Sayers, Hawke’s Bay, until December 31, for bad conduct after a match; T. Baird, Southland, for the remainder of the season, 'for using insulting remarks to a referee. The Auckland Union reported that the following players had taken part in games played under Northern Union rules: —A. R. Franck, G. Gillett, C.. Morse, and C. Winder.-—The men were given a fortnight within which to show cause why they should not be expelled. It was decided to inform the Southland players who had appealed against disqualification for professionalism that the reasons submitted in support of their applications were not considered sufficient, and that in such cases as these there was no power to reinstate. , ... . Similar action was taken in connection with a Timaru application for leinetatement. -

AN AMENDED PROGRAMME. AUCKLAND, July 19

Owing - to the suggested dates of the Auckland Union’s tour not suiting some of the southern unions, the committee decided this evening to place the following amended programme before the affected centres: — Play Canterbury at Christchurch, September 2; play Otago at Duiredin, September 6; play Wellington at _ Wellington, September ; play Taranaki at New Plymouth, September 14. * The application of the Marlborough Union for a Ranfurly Shield match was declined with regret, owing to the big representative programme this season. Poverty Bay wrote regarding their Shield match, stating that they wex - e applying to the New Zealand Union for a date.—The secretary of the Auckland Union stated that there must be some m,isundei - standing on the part of the Poverty Bay officials. Auckland had not refused a date. The position was that a definite Wednesday could not be allotted until the South Auckland Union Ranfurly Shield date had been arranged. A WELLINGTON CONTEST. WELLINGTON, July 19. The annual Association football match between boys’ teams representing Wellington and Marlborough took place this afternoon, resulting in a win for Wellington by one goal to nil. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. Zingahi-Richmond v. University. . From the kick-off Zingari rushed play to the University line, where after being twice repulsed Stanley scored l at the corner. Torrance failed with the lack. Zingari forwards continued their rushing tactics and, assisted by the backs, were giving University an anxious time on defence. The next score was from a penalty, which Torrance kicked from a difficult angle. Zingari were now leading by' 6 points to nil, and playing with rare vigour had University again on the defensive. Pauli was the next to cross the line, but the try was not improved. At half-time the score stood, Zingari-Richmond 9 points. University nil. v - > On changing ends Patterson came out to replace a Zingari forward who had injured his shoulder. Play bad been in progress a few minutes when Stanley, the Zingari left wing-threequarter, retired, also with an injured shoulder. Pelowe replaced him. Play continued fast and open, with superb footwork by the two sets of forwards and accurate fielding and line-kicking by the backs. Then came Norrie’s clever tx-y, which Cookroft converted. With the score Zingari-Riohmond 9 points. University 5 points the gam© took on a fresh interest. The Bluev forwards and backs redoubled! their efforts, but Zingari were playing more for safety now and finding the touch-line. Their tackling was still as certain as in the opening stages, Russell on the right wing doing some fine woi'k in stopping. Zingari proved equal to all the attacks set up, and a keen game ended with the scores, Zingari-Richmond 9 points. University 5 points. Mr R. Adamson was referee. Southern v. Pirates. After repeatedly taking play to the Blacks’ line, Williams picked up fi'om a loose x'ush and sent on to Sheehan, who scored, Reidy failing to convert. This was the only scox - e in the first spell. In the second half Douglas broke away on a dribble to th© Pirates line, and shortly after Boreham capped the effort by diving across with the ball and scoring. Allan failed to place a goal. Fullarton was next awai-ded a mark from what looked like a rebound from a line-out, and this time Allan kicked a good goal. Robt. Black and Cooke executed a nice piece of passing, which Chambers stopped at the critical ’moment. The Southern forwards were dominating the opposition, end fx-om a scrum in the Blacks’ twenty-five Fullarton sent out to Chambers, who gave the ball to Douglas, this player jumping over Fairburn’s head and scoring at the corner. Reidy failed to convert. Southern again became active on Pirates line, and Casey scored a clever try. Reidy was again unsuccessful at the shot at goal. Pirates responded by taking a prominent share in the Jame; and, Reidy fumbling a high kick, Warwick picked up and dashed through to

the Whites’ twenty-five, where Cook© got a pass and finished up a pretty run by going round from the corner and scoring behind the posts. Fairburn converted. When the whistle blew Pirates were still attacking. The closing scores were: Southern 15 points. Pirates 5 points. Mr H. H. S. White was referee. Union v. Dunedin The Dunedin v. Union match was played at Oarisbrook No. 2 ground. Play opened evenly, both sides attacking in turn. Skinner had the misfortune to sustain a broken nose, the result of endeavouring to stop a Union forward rush. A chance cam© Union’s way from off-side play by Dunedin, and Robinson made no mistake with the shot at goal. Following upon this Townsend was penalised for off-side play, and O’Sullivan narrowly missed placing a goal. There was no change in the scoring up to the call of half-time. . The second spell opened with the Union forwards attacking strongly. M'Leramn. marked, and Robinson had a shot at goal, but the angle was too acute. A good rush by Dunedin ended in O’Sullivan going into touch at the corner flag. From the ensuing scramble Elvidge got a mark, from which O’Sullivan had a shot at goal, but the ball fell short. Dunedin still kept up the attack, and a good passing rush ended m O’Sullivan crossing the line at the corner. The kick at goal again failed. Union responded by quickly carrying play to Dunedin territory with a strong rush, which the Blues just managed to stave off. The Reds kept up the pressure for some time. Dunedin then took a hand and attacked for a while, and was awarded a shot from a good position, but Hubble by dwelling did not get his kick in. Union charging and dribbling the ball to halfway. The game ended shortly afterwards in a draw, the scores being; Dunedin 3 points. Union 3 points.

The Union backs nullified their forwards’ good play, the three-quarters being especially weak. O’Sullivan was the best back on the ground, he being verv neat in all his play. He was ably seconded by Bond and Elvidge. The exceptions in the Union backs were Don, Frazer, and Robinson. Mr A. Martin was referee. Kaikorai v. Taieri Rovers.

Kaikorai, who had the slope of the ground against them in the first spell, soon caused Taieri to force down. From a mark in front of Taieri’s goal Richardson made a good kick, the leather just missing the goal. After a short attack by the Greens, Dryden got away nicely, but. was not backed up, and a possible chance was lost. Grant sent a long kick over the Kaikorai line, and Hanna was beaten by the bounce of the ball, Kennedy, following up fast, scoring near the posts. Scott’s kick was resultless. The last-named player made a futile attempt at goal from a free kick at long range. The Greens kept the home team on the defensive for a considerable time, and the latter were compelled to force down. Woodrow lost a good chance of scoring by throwing forward. A pretty .piece of play between M'Hardy and Duff terminated in the -first-named scoring near the posts. Homer’s kick went under the bar, and half-time Was soon afterwards called, with the scores equal. On resuming the Kaikorai forwards routed ''the opposing pack, but offside play nullified their efforts on two or three occasions, Herd being the chief offender. They also several times made the fatal mistake of trying to pick up the hg-ll when nearing their opponents’ line, instead of dribbling. From a free kick in front of goal Richardson raised the home team’s score to 6 points. The Blues continued to press, and M‘Donald scored near the posts, but Richardson failed to convert. Again the Kaikorai forwards bore down on the Greens’ line, M‘Dona Id registering his second try, which was not converted. The Greens made a sudden sally to the Blues’ line, but were repulsed temporarily, but soon came with an irresistible rush, which ended in R. M‘Donald scoring under the posts. Scott* converted. For the greater part of the remainder of the spell the play was very even, neither side being able to add to the scores, and when Mr A. Downes (who controlled the game) sounded time the scores were: Kaikorai ... 12 points, Taieri Rovers 8 points. Alhambra v. Port Chalmers.

Port won the toss, and the return from Alhambra’s kick-off found touch at halfway. From here Watson broke away and threw out to M'Phcrson, but the Alhambra full-back grassed him on the line. Port attacked strongly, and getting, the ball from a scrum near th© line Wilson set his hacks moving, but had passing spoilt any chance of scoring. Alhambra cleared and a good rush by the forwards took play to Port’s territory, but the invasion was not long sustained, for the Port backs swept down to the Reds’ line and compelled them to force. Watson (Alhambra) headed a rush that ended in Port forcing. For some time Alhambra kept up the pressure, but Watson, Kelly, and Dougherty proved too sound on defence. Port opened the second spell strongly, and kept play near their opponents’ line for some time. Then the heavier Red forwards asserted themselves. They looked dangerous, /but nothing came of the effort. Play was now at one end of the field and then at the other, each side having its fair share of attack and defence. At last the - Alhambra attjack proved successful, M‘Dougall scoring after a jinky run by Williams. The kick did not increase the score. From this to the call of time Alhambra had slightly the better of the encounter, their forwards playing really well. It was a hard game fought on a Ixeavy ground. The final scores were— Alhambra 3 points. Port ••• Nil. Mr C. Eyre was referee. SECOND GRADE. Southern A defeated Southern B by 11 points to 3 points. Union defeated Dunedin by 26 points to nil. 1 ZinggiT-Ricbmond defeated Pirates by 9 points to 7 points. Ravensbourne defeated Taiei'i Rovers by 29 points to nil. THRD GRADE. Dunedin defeated High School by 10 points to nil. Zingari-Riohmond defeated Alhambra bv 9 points to 3 points. FOURTH GRADE. Southern defeated Union, the scoring being 9 points to 5 points. Kaikorai (14 points) defeated High School (6 points).

Zingari-Ricbmond defeated Pirates by 15 points to 5 points. FIFTH GRADE. Southern (11 points) defeated Green Island (5 points). , . Alhambra (5 points) defeated Kaikorai (3 points). SCHOOL MATCHES. Junior.—Albany Street (20 points) defeated High School (3 points). WAIKOUAITI v. PALMERSTON. The fifth match of the present series between the Waikouaiti and Palmerston First Fifteens was played on the Waikouaiti Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of spectators. The local, team made the pace hot from the commencement, and bad considerably the best of the game throughout. The visitors were weakened by the absence of Dr Harrison, who has been playing a great -game- this season. In the first half G. Townsend scored a try, and a penalty goal was kicked by the same player in the second spell. When the whistle sounded the score was :/ Waikouaiti 6 points, Palmerston nil. Mr Fordyoe, of Dunedin, controlled the game satisfactorily as referee. The present position of the two teams is that Palmerston has secured two wins and Waikouaiti one, while two games have been drawn. 1 MATCHES ELSEWHERE. - AUCKLAND, July 22. The Rugby matches to-day were witnessed by Lord Islington and party. The results are University beat Parnell by 12 points to 8; Mar-ist Brothers beat Ponsonby by 14 points to nil ; and City beat Grafton by 13 points to 3. CHRISTCHURCH, July 22. The weather was cold and' miserable for the Canterbury Rugby . Union’s competitions this afternoon, and as a result of the drizzling rain the grounds were greasy. Albion scored a vary lucky win over Sydenham by 6 points to 3, the latter having all the best of the nlay._ Christchurch, the runners-up in the senior championship, were beaten by Linwood by 6 points to 3, while Merivale had an easy win against Old Boyis by 18 points to nil. Marist Brothers scored their first win of the season by. boating Canterbury College by 14 points to 3. The results of to-day’s games assure Albion- the senior champion- ’ ship, as they now have a lead of 2 points, with only two more matches to play, one of which is against Canterbury College. MAORIS v. HAWKE’S BAY. NAPIER, .-July 22. The New Zealand Maori team ‘commenced its tour with a match against Hawke’s Bay this afternoon in wet weather. The ground was covered with puddles, and after a few minutes’ play became a sea of mud. About 500 spectators were present. Takarangi kicked off for the visitors, and the ball travelled out of bounds. From a scrum in midfield Hawke’s Bay secured the ball, and carried the nlay to the Maoris’ territory, where P-iki (half) cleverly marked. Kaipara secured the leather, and ..passed to Ryland, who headed a Maori rush. Monteith s (thc Hawke’s Bay full back) saved, and play was again centred. The 'Maoris quickly started another rush, and carried the ball to the Hawke’s Bay corner. Following a line-out the Maori forwards got to work, andi a passing rush ensued. Hawke’s Bay, however, played a sound defence, and prevented the Maoris from scoring. Hawke’s Bay retaliated with vigour. Jack Kaipara marked, and took the kick at goal, but the ball passed outside the posts. Both teams were now making the pace, and, despite, the state of the ground, the plav was fast # and interesting. The Maoris were showing particular smartness in picking up. About 20 minutes from the start Clark initiated a fine rush, and Hawke’s Bay looked like effecting some- - thing, when Hughes (the Maori full back) out across, and found the line with a timely kick. Hawke’s Bay were how trying hard to score, but their forwards lacked combination, and the efforts were fruitless. Just before half time the Maori forwards started a rush, which almost overwhelmed the opposing team, but Montieth, who was playing carefully, succeeded in stopping it. Half time was then sounded. On changing ends the game became even more willing, and the Maoris soon pressed in*air attack home to the Hawke’s Bay corner, “but by a supreme effort Hawke’s Bay retrieved their position, and for a time honours were fairly even. From now on the Maoris had everything their own way, and kept Hawke’s Bay well within their own territory. The Maoris rushed time after time down near to the Hawke’s Bay line, but, through being unable to keep their feet, all attempts to cross were fruitless. Erekana tried a drop kick at goal, but the ball was touched by Downing, and no score resulted. The Maoris kept driving their attacks home, and, from close play near the Hawke’s Bay corner, Mona cut in and crossed the line. Erekana failed to add the major points. With only two or three minutes to go the Maoris pressed Hawke’s Bay up into a corner of their territory, where plav remained till the call of time, the Maoris thus winning by 3 points to nil. Hawke’s Bay made a really good defence, but the Maoris showed greater cleverness, especially in passing and picking up. Their combination, too, was much better than that of Hawke’s Bay.