NEPIA AT FAULT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 183, 7 August 1935, Page 8

NEPIA AT FAULT

NOT PHYSICALLY FIT? HOW MAORIS WERE BEATEN COMMENT ON MONDAY'S MATCH ,By Telegraph Presh Association— Copyright) SYDNEY. Aug. Commenting on yesterday’s match the Herald says: Generally the play was patchy, but there were several exciting biusis, and the Maoris pleased the >pectators by the mauner in which they awept lo hie attack early in tne second half. When leading .13 lu 10 their success was predicted, but they could nut sustain the ell oil. Nepia, who was not physically fit, was at fault when iwo vital tries wers scored by New South Wales.” ‘The Telegraph says: “The Maoris were bounced out of victory. There is no other word lo describe it. Rarely does the bounce, of the ball favour one sid-c and evade the other as was the case yesterday. Twice the coat:ary ball evaded the .Maoris when it had onlv to go to a hand for a, score. Iwice in the second half the ball obligingly bounced into New South Walvs hands on the fringe of the line, anil each lime a try was scored and a goal added. Nepia’s slowness cost, the Maoris dearly. He was slow to get to the breach on several occasions ar.J tries resulted. EXTRA MATCH TODAY? WILL PLAY AT NEWCASTLE .MAORIS’ SPORTING GESTURE J hough no mention has been made in cablegrams of an extra match in the Aluoris' itinerary, the Sydney Referee of last Thursday made the following announcement; — it was a remarkable sporting gesture by the Maoris to accede to the request uf the N.S.W.R.U. to add the i\ewcastlv match on Wednesday, August i, to an already overcrowded itinerary. George Nepia spoke lo the team ana said, “They’re up against it there, boys. Say we go up and give them a

Ijand?” Tire Maoris left for Bathurst on Tuesday night, played there Wednesday, and then went on to Melbourne for Saturday’s match against Victoria. They will arrive back in Sydney on Sundav play N.S.W. on Monday, Newcastle at Newcastle on the Wednesday, and then N.S.W. in Sydney ou the Saturday, leaving for home the same night. What “tigers” for work they are! No visiting team has ever been asked to do the same amount of travelling, and the .1935 Maoris will go down as a willing band of workers. It may’ be that they will lose the keen edge of their form for the final games, however.