British Rugby Team Meet Maoris In Match To-day.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19117, 9 July 1930, Page 9

British Rugby Team Meet Maoris In Match To-day.

BRIGHT GAME WITNESSED AT WELLINGTON.

VTCTHAT amounted to an international Rugby battle was W staged at Wellington this afternoon, when the British team met the New Zealand Maoris at Athletic Park before a very large attendance of spectators.

A telegram from Wellington to-day said that prior to the match Britain were expected to put on twenty points, as the Maori team, after their defeat by Horowhenua and the poor showing in trial matches, were not expected to give the Englishmen much of a game. The British side was regarded as next to a test side, thirteen of the players having played against the All Blacks. Spong, who is the star fly half played scrum half. Jones-Davies, the wing man, had been brought to centre. If this experiment proved successful it was not likely that the British team would be greatly changed for the next test. A crowd of 20.000 was expected at the match. The town was full of Maoris from all parts of the North Island, said the telegram. The teams were:— Great Britain. Full-back—J. Bassett. Three-quarters—A. L. Novis, C. D. Aarvold, T. E. Jones-Davies, J. Morley. Standoff Half—H. M. Bowcott. Scrum- Half—R. Spong. Front Row Forwards —D. A. Kendrew, D Parker, H. O’Neill. Middle Row Forwards—B. H. Black, J. L. Farrell. Back Row Forwards—F. D. Prentice (captain), G. R. Beamish and Ivor Jones. Maoris. Fullback—G Nepia (East Coast). Three-quarters—J. Ruru (Hawke’s Bay), R. Pelham (Wellington), R. Watson (Taianaki). Five-eighths—T. Robinson (Taranaki), K. Ropata (Marlborough). Half-back —H. Harrison (East Coast). # ~ Wing Forward —R. Bell (Southland). Forwards —R. Oxley (Wanganui), R. Wanoa (Hawke’s Bay), W. Reside (Wairaiapa), M. Kahu (Auckland). Toby Robinson (Canterbury), J. Leach (East Coast). J. Gemmell (Hawke’s E-ay).

THE PLAY. (By Radio.) The weather, following a heavy frost of early morning, was beautifully fine, with a light wind blowing from the south. The park was a picture, with tiers and tiers of people ranged round it. Tumultuous cheering greeted the Maoris, headed by Nepia. Prentice and his men received just as enthusiastic an ovation, followed by a haka by the Maori team. Britain kicked off with the wind behind them, but with the sun in their faces. Pelham fielded Aarvold’s kick, and then Nepia failed to mark Spong’s kick. Nepia, from the Maori twentyfive line, found the line within the British twenty-five, where Maori backs went into action, but Ivor Jones headed a forward rush back to Nepia. The British forwards broke through in Maori territory, and Prentice was nearly across Then Spong got the ball out to Aarvold, who ran right up to the opposing winger before transferring to Bowcott, who scored at the corner. Black’s kick failed. Britain 3. Maoris 0. Bell smothered Spong, but the ball went out to the British back line. Nepia saved with a masterly piece of work. Morley fielded Nepia’s kick and centred for the British forwards to attack. The Maoris forced. Then Bowcott let out to Aarvold to Novis, who knocked on, but Aarvold got out of the difficulty with a liner. Spong threw out a long pass and Aarvold found touch in his own twenty-five. Here Ruru was thrown into touch by Bassett. The Maoris were awarded a free kick in a good position, for Nepia to goal after eight minutes’ play. Britain 3, Maoris 3. (CONTINUED IN STOP PRESS.