FOOTBALL

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 15, 3 October 1929, Page 3

FOOTBALL

THRILLING MATCH MAORIS AND ALL BLACKS GREAT RALLY IN SECOND SPELL WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. Thrills a-plenty were provided in the trial match between tho New Zealand fifteen and a team representing the Maoris. It was an extraordinary game. Playing in the typical Maori 'fashion the natives completely dominated the first spell, during which, they put on 13 point Mo nil. After some straight talk by tfic selectors at tho interval the All Blacks came-'on in the second session and shaped something like a New Zealand side. . Infusing great thrust into their pla/ the- Now Zealand forwards called the tunc and gave the blacks a chance to show their paces. New Zealand put on 37 points in this spell ita "tiiu Maoris -5, and won a -spec-tacular-and thrilling-game by a margin of 19 points. An ideal spring clay favoured the •fixture. There wore no alterations in tho New Zealand team, but Mackey (Poverty Bay) replaced McDonald (Marlborough) at wing threcquartcr in the Maori 'team, and Raroa (East Coast) took idic place of ’Rika (Auckland) in the forwards. The Maoris opened with a light northerly breeze and the sun behind them.

Playing with great dash the Maori fonvards broke tnrough the New Zealand padk, the giant Aucklander, Kahn, doing great work. The Maoris pressed 'homo tiio attack, Leech scoring in the corner in ‘less than a minute from tho kiek-dff. Nepia's attempt at goal lacked ’direction.

Prom play at the New-Zealand quarter 'mark Kahu hurled oui a pass of '2O yards to his backs, and some exCiting work was seen in front of the Now Zealand goal. . Pelham cleverly passed behind -his back do Hohairt, who potted ■ a srriart goal, placing the Maoris seven points in o the lead. ‘From a scrum in front of the Now -Zealand goal, Tui Robinson secured .possession and badly fooled the New Zealand ‘backs 'by leading 'them to believe'that he whs -going 'to pass-to Mac-, bay. -He did not pass, but simply ran on'a’nil scored a pretty try. Nepia failed to goal. The Maoris delight eft -the crowd with 1 the brilliance -bf their play. Thus far they were head and shoulders superior | to )NeW..Zealand in -every department of 'the '-game. W. Parata, Tui Robinson and -Hohaia were seen in some brilliant passing, and Nepia aroused applause when lie 'knocked down the cross-bar-with a miighty drop-kick from a penalty between ■ the centre -and quarter mark. The ball bit the bar outside the upright.; From ... play at the quarter mark the All Blacks wore penalised, and Jones landed a beautiful goal. The sejore at half-time was Maoris 13; New Zealand 0. : .

Tip! New -Zealand team ’going boftefepil the fesumption,-and tho backs commfjjccd to shape in something Lko All Bbidk fttiftn. A pretty movement, started by Mill and carried on by Cooke, ctdod dn Elvy opening New-Zea-land’s accourft with a-pretty .try in the •corner, Hoizlewood goalcd.

Tfi e cn-uing play was highly exciting. The Now Zealand ‘forwards 1 worked play to the Maori territory and ‘from 'a scrum Mill dodged •■dean Through the Maori backs to score a uazzliug try between the posts. -Hcazlcwood had no difficulty in goaliug, ■Play hadJ{Apt v been long re-started -when Hcazlow'iofl came ini „ fho picture witfi”' feomfc brihiarit ilm -kicking. The Now Zealand' TifJl-baok reached a climax when he potted a magnificent goal ‘from hear half-way. % The- All Hlac'ks had now got into their -stride. Mil|pinpdc a brillarft opening uhicli enhbled Hadett to ’race-over between the posts for Hazelwood to kick his third goal.

■Eroni the ruck ncahitho Maori line Stewqrtfpickcd up the ball and bumped off Mackiiy to score in the corner. Hazelwood goalcd with a magnificent kick from the sideline. It was -all New Zealand now. A beautiful burst of 'passing in which half a -dozen All Blacks figured ended in McLean scoring in a handy position. This ‘time Hazelwood 'failed.

The All Blacks came at the line again, "CampbCllvmaking a -great dash. Ho could have scored ■himself but scut the loathpysiuficld whore Cook snapped up tho ball and raced over the 'line. Heazclwood goalcd;

Thft Maoris were now completely dcmoralise’dr Play bad hot been long in progress when fjllivhr -inadc u groat ‘run •down the dine. LfHppayas hollared by iMackay, biit ;thc ball went over'-the dine and Ollier followed up to pick up the loatlior race right behind the .posts, lleazphvood goaled. The then gave a brilliant bash of ’tfiielj’ first spoil form'. Magni•ficent passing took the leather half the length'of ithe; field for. Pelham to round off a dazzling movement under the iposts. Nepia easily goalcd. The remaining 'five minutes were 'crowded with incident. The -Maoris■Were keen for another score, but tho reckless manner in which they were throwing the ball about gave the All Blacks several opportunities to come strongly a‘t the lino. The natives, however, by, desperate ‘defence, -managed to lieop flic line intact and the end .came: New Zealand 37 Maoris 18