MAORIS PLAY PAKEHAS IN ANNUAL GAMES

Chronicle (Levin), 8 June 1948, Page 7

MAORIS PLAY PAKEHAS IN ANNUAL GAMES

Yesterday the annual MaoriPakeha Rugby matches were played on the Levin Park Domain. The day was fine with a chill wind blowing from the south. One of the biggest crowds yet seen at the domain this season witnessed the games, the grandstand being full and the crowd thickly spread aroun'd the bank. It is estimated that approximately 1500 spectators were present. The curtain raiser between the junior Maori and Pakeiia teams resulted in no score. Both teams were keen and evenly matched, but play was scrappy and slow at times. H. Ropata's brilliant work at fullback helped the Maori team conriderably, while the work of D. Smith, Lind and A. Short was outstanding for the Pakehas. The main game was an exciting and spectacular match. Although the Pakehas defeated tneir opponents 18 — 11, the Maori team ma'de a spirited effort towards the finish and were successfuT iil scoring two tries iij succession,. The Pakehas appeared to be in better rorm tlian the Maoris, and their general play was brighter and more soiid. Both teams had in their ranks some oi

the district's most outstanding dayers. For the Maoris, H. Cook, T. Winiata, McCready, L. and A. Hakaraia and Lincoln were prominent. W. Galloway, Sr Mortimer, Wallace, G. Milroy, G. Bryant an'd Roy, Lloyd and Ian Robinlon were the mainstays of the Pakeha team. Outstanding feature of the game was Galloway's performance, 15 of the Pakehas' points being scored oy him. Other players worthy of mention were Tritt, who piayed a milliant game at h'alf, and B. Skli•fcbh who showed 'his worth on the wing. • ' The Pakehas viton the toss and the captain, W. Galloway, elected to play against the sun. From the k;.ck-off, the Maoris made the game very willing, throwing themselves nto it with all the energy of their race. The Pakehas were harci pressed early in the game when a penalty was awarded against them. \. Hakaraia, however, found the kick too much for him an'd play vas carrisd back to the centre of the field. A burst of speed found the ball down in the MaoriS' twenty-five and, following an Infringement, Galloway kicked an easy penalty to open his teamkaccount. Pakehas 3, Maoris 0. From a ruck near the posts Walace made an opening and sent the oall on to I. Robinson, who dived pver. Galloway had no 'difficulty in converting. Pakehas 8, Maoris 0. Shortly afterwards, L. Robinson wao injured and his place was taken by Tritt. This proved to be a most advantageous change, for Tritt gave a sound display at half-back. Although the Maori team lookeci most dangerous from time to time, che Pakehas succeeded ln repelimg them on each occasion. A change in the position of fulloack from D. Pe'derson to Fietcher was made at the beginning of the -econd spell. Tritt made a spectacular opening near the posts and cransferred to Galloway, who scored. He converted his own try irom a difficult angle to make the score: Pakehas 13, Maoris 0. It was not long after this that the Maoris came to life and, with che two Hakaraias leading the way, scored a try.. H. Cook failed to convert. Pakehas 13, Maoris 3. Not to be out'done, however, the Pakehas revive'd their attack and Mortimer snatched up the ball, s-ent co Hudson, took it in return and passed out to Galloway, who scrambled over the line. Galloway converted. Pa.kehas 18. Maoris 3. | Then McCready scored for the 'Maoris and Cook kicked a 'difficult ball to convert. Pakehas 18, Maoris 8. Not long after Lincoln went I across the iine for 'a . try, which Cook failed to convert. With the • score standing at 18 points to 11, ■ the final whistle blew. The referee •''was Mr. W. Wiljliams. . . At the conclusion of the match, | the president of the Horowhenua | Rugby Union, Mr. A. Gillespie, presented the Dewar Cup to the | captain of the winning team. He briefly commented on the game and congratulated both captains on the high • standard of play witnesse'd.