FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 235, 3 October 1929, Page 4

FOOTBALL

THRILLING MATCH MAORIS AND ALL BLACKS GREAT RALLY IN SECOND SPELL [ Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. Thrills a-plenty were provided in the trial match between the New Zealand fifteen and a team representing the Maoris. It was an extraordinary game. Playing in tho typical Maori fashion the natives completely dominated the first spell, during which they put on 13 point sto nil. After some straight talk by tho selectors at the interval the All Blacks camo on in the second session and shaped something like a Zealand side. Infusing great thrust into thoir play the New Zealand forwards called tho tune and gave the blacks a chance to show their paces. New Zealand put on 37 points in this spell to the Maoris 5, and won a spectacular and thrilling game by a margin of 19 points. An ideal spring day favoured the fixture. There were no alterations in the New Zealand team, but Mackay (Povcrif/- Bay) replaced McDonald (Marlborough) at wing threequarter in tho Maori team, and Raroa (East Coast) took the place of Rika (Auckland) in the forwards. The Maoris opened with a light northerly breeze and the sun behind them. Playing with great dash tho Maori forwards broke through the New Zealand pack, tho giant Aucklander, Kahu, doing great work. The Maoris pressed home the attack, Loech scoring in the corner in less than a minute from the kick-off. Nepia’s attempt at goal lacked direction.

From play at the New Zealand quarter mark Kahu hurled out a pass of 20 yards to his backs, and some exciting work was seen in front of the New Zealand goal. Pelham cleverly passed behind his back to Hohaia, who potted a smart goal, placing the Maoris seven points in tho lead. From a scrum in front of the New Zealand goal, Tui Robinson secured possession and badly fooled the New Zealand backs by leading them to believe that he was going to pass to Mackay, He did not pass, but simply ran on and scored a pretty try. Nepia failed to goal. The Maoris delighted the crowd with the brilliance of 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 he knocked down the cross-bar with a mighty drop-kick from a penalty between the centre and quarter mark. The ball hit the bar outside the upright. From play at the quarter mark the All Blacks were penalised, and Jones landed a beautiful goal. The score at half-time was Maoris 13; New Zealand 0.

The New Zealand team was going better on the resumption, and the backs commenced to shape in something like All Black form. A pretty movement, started by Mill and carried on by Cooke, ended in Elvy opening New Zealand’s account with a pretty try in the corner. Heizlewood goaled. The ensuing play was highly exciting. The New Zealand forwards worked play to tho Maori territory and from a scrum Mill dodged clean through the Maori backs to score a dazzling try between the posts. Hcazlcwood had no difficulty in goaling. Play had not been long re-started when Heazlewood came intj the picture with some brilliant lino-kicking. The New Zealand full-back reached a climax when he potted a magnificent goal from near half-way. Tho All Blacks had now got into their stride. Mill made a brillant opening which enabled Hazlett to race over between tho posts for Hazelwood to kick his third goal.

From the ruck near the Maori line Stewart picked up the ball and bumped off Mackay to score in the corner. Hazelwood goaled 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 camo at the line again, Campbell making a great dash. He could have scored himself but sent the leather infield where Cook snapped up the ball and raced over the line. Heazelwood goaled. The Maoris were now completely demoralised. Play had not been long in progress when Olliver made a great run down the line. He was collared by Mackay, but tho ball went over the line and Olliver followed up to pick up the leather and race right behind the posts. Heazelwood goaled. The Maoris then gave a brilliant flash of their first spoil form. Magnificent passing took the leather half the length of the field for Pelham to round off a dazzling movement under the posts. Nepia easily goaled. The remaining five minutes wore crowded with incident. The Maoris were keen for another score, but the reckless manner in which they were throwing the ball about gave the All Blacks several opportunities to come strongly at the line. The natives, however, by desperate defence, managed to keep the line intact and the. end came: New Zealand _ .37 Maoris .._ ...... 18