LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18060, 1 July 1930, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

HUNTLY v. MAORI TEAM. The Maori team were beaten by 16 to 3, but this score was not a true indication of the run of play. It was the first junior match at Huntly this season, and it was very apparent that the teams were not strangers to the code. Considering that the natives are scattered about over a large area and unable to get together for practice their performance was meritorious and (with their opponents) were not afraid to throw the ball about. Tonga Mahuta is the guide, philosopher and friend to the Maori thirteen, and he wil soon drill his team into shape. Two of the best players were sent to Ngaruawahia to fill gaps in the senior Maori team, otherwise the score may have been different. Prominent for them in actual play were Berryman, their full-back, a youngster of 14, whose play was very sound and characterised by older action than his playing years. Tumai (three-quarter) was another back who caught the eye and is above the ordinary junior standard, while of the front rankers Roy Tawha stood out as the pick, and Berryman was a sound toiler. For the winners McNeil was a hard playing forward and his tackling a feature, low' and sure. Berry w'as perhaps the most improving forward and G. Smith was a good toiler, making use of his weight to advantage. Of the backs, Bill Roberts stood out and he is a very nippy five-eighth, and worked well with Knight (half), while Davis centre, and Porteous wing threequarters were sound.