UNITED (17) v. Y.M.P. (0).

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13090, 2 June 1913, Page 5

UNITED (17) v. V.M.P. (0).

As was anticipated, tins match attracted the chief ■ interest. Both sides were strongly represented, although V.M.P. felt the absence of W. Rukingi. The game was fast, but not so open as it might have been. Y.M.P. 's forward division, on the whole, was superior to that of their opponents, the latter a little slow. United had the best of the back work. They handled the ball m cleaner style and less selfishly. Don Miller, who made his debut on the Rugby field for this season on Saturday, was iiv good form, and all the tries he scored ' Were well merited. Kaipara was again the mainstay of his side, but he tried to do too much on his own, and his cork-screw manoeuvres and acrobatic performances rather tended to disconcert the combination of his other backs. Waata Was also at fault- in holding on to the ball too long, and m this way V.M.P. did not make such a good showing as they might have done. However, both sides put up a creditable performance. All worked hard. For the greater part of the first' spell the Maoris ;weVe m the aggressive. They- were at' a disadvantage naving' a strong- sun m i their faces. L The' teams were as follows:— I United (white and*-red): Full-back, b. ! McLeod; 'three-quarters. D. Miller, G. Pollock, " Carmine; five-eighths, L. Murray I and C. Pollock; half, C: Cole;' forwards, iA. Muir, White, 6. Davis, Armltage/ Mc[Quarrie, Moore, Coleman, and Sexton. ! V.M.P. (red and black): Full-back, Kape; three-quarters*' P. O'Neill, Kaipara, and Whaanga; five-eighths, P. Rukingi and Waata; half, Ereatara; forwards, Kokiri, Tureia, Paraone, Pohipi, Wi Friday, Nga- ; rangi, Haraki, and Pewhairangl.

i Kokiri set- the ball m motion, and by fast following up he was instrumental m keeping play m United's 25. The Maoris' backs engaged iri ft passing bout, but Kaiipara lost the ball. Through Waata'funrbling the balf whites " rushed into their opponents territory, but the oval was "quickly returned to United's quarter. Kokiri made a good, attempt- at goal, the ,ball falling a few feet short, and C. Pollock found the line at mid-fleld. O'Neill Jby fast following up; beat McLeod for the ball, which was sent out, near the line. United got the leather away from the danger zone, but Pohipi, Wnaanga iand Kaipara were responsible for keeping play m white's 25. By clever work Cole sent the sphere out at. the half-^vay line. iWith a' ttahgerous rtfsh V.M.P. swarmed : . into United's territory, but C. Pollock , effected a good save. . The Maoris" -backs ! again carried play near to United's line* !but" Moore "got m a goOd kick and 'ret .lleved the situation. Reds kept United .penned m their' own' quarter for "atline, •but the ball was gradually worked/ihto ; neutral ground. The ball then travelled up and down the field, and a. chance- for . United was'spollt by 'Miller knocking^ on. ! Whites then took the offensive for- ; a j while. The Pollock brothers headed a hot rush, but Carmine being -penalised for charging an opponent who never had the ball, a free kick relieved the .'rdds. Kokiri headed a forward rush, but McLeod saved well. Wi Friday broke away from the loose, and sent out near United's line. From the throw-in Miller gave relief to his side, but O'Neill returned 'the leather to white's. 25. United then attacked, and V.M.P. forced. The- latter were kept on the defensive for ; a While, Cole, Murray, C. Pollock, and Miller engaging m a dangerous passing hoiit. Eventually play settled m mid-field-. From a line-out Mohi, Rukingi, Kaipara and O'Neill carried the ball into United's quarter, where the reds were penalised, Give-and-take play followed. An attack by the reds. Instituted by O'Neill; Was stopped by forward play. The Maoris continued to press, but some of their players getting over-anxious United were awarded three free kicks m close succession. They gained little advantage, however, and the Maoris' forwards headed by Kokiri, Tureia and Paranoe, soon had the leather back m white's 25, where G. Pollock stopped an invasion. \lcQuarrie and Muir worked the ball into reds' quarter and McLeod made a poor attempt to drop-kick a penalty goal. United kept up the attack, but V.M.P. were relieved by being awarded a couple of free-kicks. Kaipara received well and made a 'good run, but passed wildly to O'Nein, and United's forwards rushed the oval back to their opponents' quarter. : V.M.P. were . penalised, and G. Pollock made an lin- ; successful attempt at goal. Kape, through [not taking the ball, placed his side m ■ a dangerous position, but a free kick relieved the reds. Play remained near the Maoris' line for a time, and when ' half-time was called operations were going on m. reds' 25, no score having been registered. When the teams changed over United assumed the aggressive. Kaipara failed to pass m time and McQuarrie, Pollock, and Sexton carried play near to Y.M.P. 's. line. From a scrum Cole sent the ball out smartly to Miller, who dashed over on the corner and scored, the Maoris' tackling weakly. G. Pollock "failed 'at goal. United pressed again, arid from a scrum near the line Cole passed to q. Pollock, who appeared to knock on, and apparently waiting for the whistle the reds did not offer much resistance, and G. Pollock scored. He also added the extra points, making the game United 8, V.M.P. 0. The red's forwards worked hard, but United repulsed the attacks. After the leather had travelled up and down the field, G. Pdllock kicked well down the' field, and 'Miller, following up fast, beat Rukingi for the sphere and scored a good try. G. Pollock missed an easy goal. Shortly after Miller again scored on the corner, but he failed to increase the points. Play became willing but it was evident the majority of the Maoris were tiring. From a scramble near the line McQuarrie forced his way over. Miller failed at goal. There was no further score^ United leaving the field the winners of a hard-iought game by , 17 to oil. Mr O. R. Olsen controlled the game, and Messrs L. MeMahon and C. Somervell were line umpires.