Maoris Win First Test

Chronicle (Levin), 2 August 1948, Page 5

Maoris Win First Test

Received Hundav, i p.m. SUVA, July 31. Completely clianging the tactics nsod on Wednesday when the combined Ruva-Rewa side fought the Maori team to a three point draw, the Maoris • odav defeated Fiji in the lirst teSt 22—6. The game was hard fought. and I'lean and the honours easier than tlie scores indicate. Proctor, a tlve-eigths, was dropped from the team 011 tha inorning of the match on reeeipt of :nstruction from New Zealand. Proctor is alleged to have signed up with an English League team and was replac.erl by Pearson. At lialf-time Fiji led 6 points to 5 — two tries for Fiji and a sparkling try by Cherrington who raced through from just past half-wav, to score. Kennv convertea. In. the seoond half the IMaoris con. tinued to exploit more varied taeties. The Fijian baeks were forced back bv short stab kicks and often the Maori insides penetrated with tlirusting runa. From tliese and short kicks, the Maoris often regained possession. When Rmith 's genius in o]iening up play from any ]iositiori, becamo evident, Cherrington seored from a blind side movemenf, tj.e try being uiieonverted. Isaacs converted from a penalt.v and then Mar-lifu-r, playing a good game, scorod from a forward rusli. The trv was in "onverted. Another line inter-passing mavomcnt uuv Cherrington race across. The kick was unsuccessful. The last try can.e from a beautiful 'movement start.-l With a scissors pass on the far side of tlie licld and finishing after most of tne bitcks had handled, with Cherrington scoring and racing arouiul to enali'e Isaacs to convert. For the visitors Rmith ivas the tactician. Ile ]ilaved a most resourceful game. Kennv was outstaudingly good, Jacobs fed well and Crouch showed mueh more initiative, taking up the game wliere Proctor lcft, in comfortable style. IMore initiative in tlirusting movements was scen among tlie inside baeks. Cherrington was always spectacular and always dangerous. In the forwards, L. Hohaia, klarriner, Carrington and Blake were conspieuous among a verv even paek. R. TTohaia is in hospital with an injured hip snffered in last Wednesday 's game. The team is suft'ering easualties from the hard games experienqpd.