FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20531, 24 September 1936, Page 11

FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIA DEFEATS MAORI TEAM BIGGEST WIN ON TOUR By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N„ September 23. If the Maoris had played in the first half like they did in the second, there would have been a different tale to tell of to-day’s match against Australia. However, they were an almost hopeless side till the interval, the Australians running through their ranks whenever it pleased them. The second spell saw a definite change for the better, and the Maoris were on the verge of scoring a number of times. The weather was gloriously ideal for the occasion and there was a tremendous crowd. Hodgson played a magnificent game for the visitors and was the outstanding man on the field, but he was inclined to play at times Rugby that was unorthodox, spoiling the impression that he created. All • the Australian backs were prominent. Mellish was outstanding at half-back for the Maoris, O’Connor being safe at full-back. Scores came rapidly in the first half. Rankin opened the Australian account with a penalty after seven minutes play. Unexpected Try Then Kelaher made an opening for McLean to score, Gibbons converting. This try came like a bolt from the blue while the Maoris were attacking. Richards next dummied over from a line-out and Rankin converted, making the score 13-0 after 15 minutes play. Four minutes later Bridle got away from a scrum, McLean scoring an unconverted try. Then Kelaher got away from a scrum and the ball passed along all the backs for McLean to score. Rankin converted and after 24 minutes play the score was 21-0. Mason was hurt, Phillips replacing him. The Maoris had a fair chance of raising the flags, when Mellish essayed a penalty kick at goal but he kicked badly. From a line-out Walden sent his backs away, Kelaher scoring. Rankin converted making Australian 26-0 In 29 minutes. Five minutes before half-time, Pepere kicked a penalty goal from near half-way with a fine kick and the score was 26-3 at half time. Second Half The second half opened with a series of penalties, Rankin twice failing for Australia end Pepere for the Maoris. Mellish raised a roar of encouragement wlen he zig-zagged in and out of the Australians and put the Maoris on the attack for a considerable period with the visitors hard pressed. Finally Bridle broke away in a solo effort, but tie spoilt a scoring chance by not passing. Gibbons also staged a solo run, the chance being spoilt by bad passing. Reid, the Maori skipper, was next to electrify the crowd by driving through again to place the Maoris on the attack. The ball shot from one side of the field to the other but the defence held, till Mellish, Kotua and Phillips outstripped the opposition, the last named scoring. Reid missed with the kick. Mellish was again prominent, starting movements which unluckly were not successful. Then White, after running in and out like a hare, transferred to Phillips who was pushed out at the corner. A minute to go the Australians tore back to get their first score of th; spell, which Rankin converted, making the score 31-6 at the call of time.