Maoris Beat New South Wales

Chronicle (Levin), 30 May 1949, Page 7

Maoris Beat New South Wales

Shaky Start But Forwards Turn Tables

Received Sunday, 7 p.m. SYDNEY, May 29. In one of the most vigorous and spectacnlar Rngby Union matehes ever seen on the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Maoris defeated a powerful New South Wales eombination by 19 points . to 14. The margin was actually greater than- the scores would indicate as the Maoris' figure was made up of four tries, two conversions and one penalty whereas New South Wales seored three penalties and one converted try. ■

The Maoris began shakily and within 12 minutes of the start of play were six points down as a result of infringements of the offside rule. Then the neavy quick breaKing forwards began to turn the balance and to break up the f amous back line which has made New South Wales easily the strongest state team in Australia. The Maori pack, which averaged nearly 14-J- stone, won surprisingly few set scrums but led by Tori JEteid and R. xiohaia, they more than held their own ui the iineouts and were devastating in the loose. One of the greatest surprises of the matcn was the success of the Maoris in immobilising the Wallaby winger, C. i^astes, who is hailed by some sports vvriters in England and Australia as the best wing three-qiiarter in the world. ' ' Due to the heady interception of his inside men by Beazley and r'eter omith, he saw lictie of the oaii. In the uuel with the big fast Maori winger ^nerrington, he usuaily came off second best thougli his tackling kept (/berrington in cneck for some time. A crowd estimated at over 25,000 saw the match which was plaj'ed in bright .sun with a coid southerly blowmg slraight downlield. The Maoris drew. applause- when they gave a haka in iiont of the main stands and then repeated it to a vociferous crowd on •'The Hill. " The teams were: — Maoris: Eullback, Ivenny ; threequarters, Taylor, Delamere, Cherrington; five-eighths, Beazley, P. Smith; uaif, iiaureu; lorwards, niake, Stirling, Marriner, Reid, B. Hohaia, Matthews, Carrington, West. New South Waies: Eullback, B. Piper; three-quarters (four), J". Marshall, J. Blomiey, T. Ailau, E. Eastes; iive-eighth, M. Tate; haif, (J. Burke; forwards, C. Windon, K. Cross, In. Green, N. Shehadie, K. Mossop, J. Baxter, D. Eurness, N. Adams. The referee was Mr. L. C. Tomalin. G-ift Penalties. The Maoris won the toss and elected to play with the wind but against a low sun. Erom Allan's kick off New South Wales took the oii'eusive'. The Madris covered their line well biit ivere unsteady and over au'xlqus in.'the sciums — a fact which Piper 's sure •boot-' turned to good account with two gift penalties. After this ' the Maoris appeared to. settle down to dogged forward, play while the backs stood well up on theii opposite numbers. Matthews showed up with sound forward play and Eaureti and Beazley made ground but Kenny dempp£tr;ated,.qariy that it was qot hia kiolting d'ay. o i Maoris' First Try. The first spell was half gone when the Maoris worked their way into New South Wales territory despite the fact that the Wallaby hooker Eurness had won the first ten set scrums in a row. Erom a scrurn 011 the New South Wales 25, Burke sent the ball to Tate but Peter Smith intercepted and broke for the line. He sent on to Beazley whOj though well tackled five' yards shorty managed to slide over. The referee awarded a try despite a protest from some spectators who claimed that the ball was not carried over. Ivenny converted. New South Wales 6 — 5. The Maoris were now in full cry but were unlucky on several occasions. Another kick by Kenny vvent astray when liaureti dummied his way through to the New South Wales 25 and was then fouied. Taylor and Beazley were the life of the back line while in the forwards Matthews and West gave the New South Wales men np peace. Piper fuinbled one recovery and Smith sent Beazley through a gap but New South Wales were able to force. Maoris Take Lead. Fierce scrummaging on the New South Wales 25 srave the Maoris a neu-

alty with which Kenny made no mistake. Maoris 8 — 6. Burke was off 'the field for a while with a damaged ankle but rejoined the team before half -time. The Maoris slashed into the second half with the greatest confidence, appearing fresher than ever. Though the duel b'etween Eastes and Cherrington was crippling wing play, Itaureti, .Smith and Beazley were' working well with tricky inside movements, attempts on the blind side and short stab kieking. These tacties seemed to puzzie New South Wales who were slow to adapt their style of play accordiugly. Try In Corner. Cherrington 's powerful fend proved to'o much for Eastes but the New Zealand winger was downed on the line ano a chapter of accidents prevented a score until Matthews crashed across in the corner. Kenny failed. Maoris 11 — 6. Green was off for a while and the rucking became very willing with piay .erowded hard dowmon the New Soutii .Wales ten yard line, The Maoris wero . maki'ug every effort to score and as a : resilit. forgot to look to their defence as they clbsed in 011 the line. Spectacuiar Try. in the most spectacuiar movement of the game, Piper secured and sent to Ailan who broke past Delamere with Marshall in snpport. At halfway he crashed into Ivenny, recovered and sped on. Then Green came up, took the bait and sent the'unmarked Marshall over. Piper converted. Score 11 — 11. Tori Eeid, Smith and Delamere figured in a sustained attack on the New South Wales line. Then with the spell half gone, Smith dummied through and passed to Carrington who bulled over well out. Kenny converted. Maoris 16 — 11. New South Wales attaeked hotly after this and there was a melee in frout of tte stands in which Kenny was manhandled by the New South Wales forwards. He was injured but played on. Piper kicked a penalty. Maoris .16 — 14. With ten minutes of play left, Eastes fumbled on the New South Wales line and iet the big forward' Stirling through in the corner. The' kick misscd. • Play ended with the Maoris pressing hard and full of running. Maoris I9— 14/ ■ ' •