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Chronicle (Levin), 1 July 1948, Page 6

A wide range of good average Rugby talent, but nothing that. coiild be-dis-tinguished as outstanding, was disclosed in tlje final North Islahd Maori trial .match between . Tai Hauauru (W'est Coast)! anl Tai Rawhiti (East Coast), played at the Showgroundsj Palmerston North, yesterday. Unlike most trial matelies, both teams' concentrated upon playing eoordinated Rugby and the-result was hard Rugby with little room for the spectacular. Tai Hauauru, • playing with greater dash and cohesion, defeated Tai Rawhiti 11 points to 6. ' Weather and ground eon-, ditions were ideal. Serums and line-outs were keenly contested and honours were evenly divided. No one -for ward really shone in the line-outs and there were few clean passes out to the baclts. . The best of the West Coast forwards were S. Waru (Waikato), M. Wi Neera (Wanganui) and S. Heperi (Wellington) whiie for -East Coast W. Carrington (Poverty' Bay), L. Sciascia (Central Hawke's Bay), W. Bowlands (East CoastJ and K. Bullivant (Poverty Bay) were most prominent. The duel between the halves was a good oue. The West Coast half, li. Jacobs (Wellington) showed willingness and ability to take heavy jiunishment from the opposing pack, but he managed to 'make play even when the ball had not been hooked. . For ' East Coas.t Raueti (Bay of Plenty) sent out fast and aecurate passes with a dive. Ben Couell (Wairarapa) at first five played aggressivoJy and constantly sought the openings but he was well coutained by te K. Reedy (East Coast; whose work was marred by frequenl mishaudling. McCarthy (Wanganui) and G. Btainton (East Coast) were evenly matched at second, but Pat Toro (Taranaki) proved a niore efficient ceutre than B. Morrison (Bay oi Plenty) i Best of the four wingers were E. Carrington (Poverty Bay) aud J. U. Potaka (Manawatu). • After a splendid try early in the game, Potaka was w.oll marked by C. Taite (Hawke's Bay) but the latter in turn was given no cliance to move. M. Kenny5, after an unsteady start, settled down to some solid football and easily shaded' his vis-a-vis, J. Takarangi, who altkoiigh his line kiclting was good was a trifle too slow. Tai Hauauru opened the scbring when five minutes after the start Takarangi made a 'clearing kick whieh failed to find touch. Potaka scooped it up and raced 25 yards to beat Taiti and score. These were the only points in the first half. Early in the second Takarangi goaled a penalty but West Coast regained the lead when Ivenny goaled a penalty from 40 yards out. Then came a graud try by Couch. From loose play in the coriler the West Coast backs swept into action. Couch cut through and tackled by two men hurled hiinself across', the line under the pbsts. Toro converted. Takarangi goaled a -jgeqoii'd&penalty *»***>*■■'■■ Mr. G. S. Northcote was the rcfcree.