MAORI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 155, 5 July 1935, Page 5

MAORI RUGBY

WHENUAROA SHIELD RANGITIKEI LIFTS Vt DEFEAT OF TAIHAPE (Ovn Cocrcspojdent.) Rangitikii Maoris virited Taihapc on Wednesday in qu Jst of the When laroa Shield and returned with the coveted trophy, having defeated the Taihape Maori representatives by 27 points to 17. The ball was thrown about in typi cal Maori fashion, with the result that the match was the brightest of the season, and provided a pleasing contrast to the many colourless games that have been witnessed this year. The visitors’ victory was clear cut and well deserved. They won chiefly because they had far 100 much pace for Taihape and know how to use it. The visiting backs were all fast and nippy. K. Potaka, S. Hartley and Downs were a thorn in the side of the opposition, while H. Taiuru and K. Seraucke. the Rangitikei wingers, had pace to burn. The visiting team was well served by Johnson at the base of the scrum and P. Potaka at lull back. Their forwards were also fast and virile. Williams and J. 1 aiuru were particularly prominent. Hekenui wa.3 the best of the Taihape backs, while Motu, who played on the wing in place of Abbott, gave a good display mid scored two tries. 'The tackling of the Taihape backs left a good deal to be desired at times. The home team n is.'ed Pine and Smith in the firwarns. Murphy, Hunter, Spooner a.id Taoi.ui wore prominent in the van guaid at various stages of the match. The first spell ended 14 —6 in favour of Rangitikei. 'The visitors subsequently gained a lead of 13 points, the scon being 22—9 in their favour, with about twenty minutes to go. The position looked hopeless for the defenders of the shield, but Taihape put more sting into their attack and got wub n fix e points of the challengers’ t:Jy. W,l»i the score standing at 22—17 in i.i' our of Rangitikei the supporters of tl'H home side were hopeful that Tai hape would be able to pul the match out of the lire, but Rangitikei put It e is.Miu beyond doubt by scoring another line five points. Taihape’s most effective method of attack was by means of dribbling rushes —a method that should have been used more frequently. There is no doubt that the bet'ir team won, and that speed played a big pari in their win. The teams line out as follow: Rangitikei (green). — P. Potaka; H. Taiuru, Al. Downs, K. Serancke; R. Po'.aka, S. Hartley; B. Johnson; N. Kant (capt.), Leonard, J. Taiuru, G. Kewai, N. Williams, D. Potaka, M. Taiuru, F. Taite. Taihape (maroon). — R. Chase; Motu, Hekenui, W. Potaka; J. Raukawa, H Raikawa (capt.); A. Payne; Kereopa, Muiphy, Hunter, S. Spooner, Ropata, Winiata, M. Taonui, T. Potaka. Within the first three minutes of the

game the 'Taihape Maoris broke away with the ball at their feet, and rubbed p.'aye almost to the visitors’ !»□□. En,'i‘itikei infringed right in front if their own goal and Hekenui kicked a penalty.—Taihape 3, Rangitikei 0. The visitors wasted no time in rctaTating, R. Potaka, Downs, ami Sciiincke handling in turn to carry p’ay into Taihape's twenty-five. The visitors were awarded a free kick »n a handy position and R. Potaka land»*u a goal to equalise the scores.—Rangitikei 3, 'taihape 3. The scene of activity reverted to the g.Tt.i-s’ twenty-five where R. Chase h-.d a shot at goal from a penalty but missed. Hartley and R. Potaka figured in a movement that gained a lot of ground but was eventually nullified tliiGUgh the latter being caught in possession. Taihape assumed the lead when H. Raukawa initiated a movement in which Hekenui and Motu also p.iilicipated and which culminated n Mctu scoring the first try of tLe ir.-dch. Hekenui failed with the kick. —'J r.ihape 6, Rangitikei 3. Taonui, Ropata, Spooner and H?kemu figured in one of the brightest passing rushes of the match, but the 'a-d--rair.cd was brought back for a km»c':'<ii when a try seemed likely. The greens began to throw the ball about maroons were hard pressed. R. Potaka in characteristic Maori fashion and the equalised the scores when he crossed Taihape’s line following a scrum and registered a try. 'The kick failed. — Rangitikei 6, Taihape 6. At this stage Murphy gained a lot of ground by dribbling and showed that with him, at least, this is not a lost art. The greens counter-attacked, Johnson, S. Hartley ami R. Potaka handling in turn for Potaka to score. The try was not converted. — Rangitikei 9, Taihape Encouraged by their sue css, Rangitikei came again and J. Taiuru scored behind the posts and converted his own try.—Rangitikei 14, Taihape 6. Half time sounded soon afterwards with the visitors still eight points in the lead. Upon the resumption of activities, the maroon forwards, amongst whom Hunter, 'l*aonui, Winiata, Ropata and Kereopa were prominent carried play into the visitors’ twentydive where Hunter was penalised for picking out of the scrum. 'The maroons returned to the attack and their forwards dribbled over the line and Ropata touched down after Rangitikei had unsuccessfully tried to force. Chase failed to convert. —Taihape 9, Rangitikei 14. The greens, led by the veteran Nero Kane, Leonard, Rewai and Williams, invaded Taihapc’s territory and a throw in took [dace near the home team's goal line. Fast following up by Hartley soon after the line-out enabled that player to score alter Chase had missed forcing. R. Potaka converted with a good kick.— Rangitikei .19, Tai The. greens began lo show marked superiority at this stage, and Johnson increased their lead by three points when lie gained possession from a serum near the maroon line and scored. R. Potaka tailed to add the points.— Rangitikei 22. Taihape 9. The position looked hopeless for the <iefenders of the shield but they raised the hopes of their supporters when a dribbling rush culminated in Spooner scoring. Hekenui goaled.—Taihape 14, Rangitikei 22. Hunter paved the way for (he, next try by breaking away with the ball at his feet. Murphy was in support and picked up and sent. Motu over for a try. Hekenui failed with the kick.— Taihape 17, Rangitikei 22. 'The. maroon supporters had high hopes that the holders of the Whenuaroa Shield would yet be able to make a draw of the game and thus retain the shield, but their hopes were dashed to the ground when Downs cut through and transferred to Williams who scored