WELLINGTON v. MAORI BATTALION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 130, 4 June 1919, Page 10

WELLINGTON v. MAORI BATTALION

RUGBY AT ATHLETIC PARK.

Probably the most important holiday fixture yesterday, locally, was the meeting of the Rugby teams representing Wellington and the Pioneer Maori Battalion. The game took place at Athletic Park in the presence of one of the largest gatherings seen there in recent years. The only alterations in the teams as originally published were, that in the Maori team Hingston replaced Tapihana, and in the Wellington fifteen Taylor's place in the pack was taken by Kent. The game was played north and south, and, as a result, the grandstand accommodation was taxed to overflowing, and the western side had its full share of. patrons. WeHington, led by Algar, of Ponel.e, played with the advantage of a fairly stiff breeze in the first spell, and, attacking immediately, had the Maoris penned on their own. line for a few minutes, until Wilkinson brought temporary relief by starting a passing run right on his own goal line. Back Wellington came to the attack, and in some loose work inside the visitors' 25, Pollock marked smartly from the toes of the Maori forwards. Jackson had no difficulty in Opening Wellington's account with the kick, and, seven minutes after starting Wellington led by 3 to nil. . Fast following up enabled the Maoris to invade the AVellington 25, but here M'Arthur intercepted a pass and transferred play to the other end of tho field with a nice | run and kick. Play settled in the vicinity of the centre, and was of a loose, scrambling order for a time, but, aided by the wind, Wellington returned to the attack. Algar made a nice open- , ing and gave to Corner, who transferred to Heley, but the latter was thrown out at the 25 flag; A moment later Malm, I the Wellington full-back, had hard luck with an attempt to drop a goal from just inside the half-way line. At this stage good individual ■work was being performed by Algar, Corner, and M'Arthur, but their efforts lacked finish. Jackson failed to hold a rather erratic pass from AlgaT, and the Maoris by means of a combined rush, in which backs and forwards alike joined, broke right through to the Wellington ■ 25. There was not a Wellington man within yards as the Maoris dribbled s the ball to the line arid over, but suddenly M'Arthur appeared from apparently nowhere, and kicked the ball dead. It had looked an absolute sure score for the visitors, and right under the posts, but apparently it was too easy, and a royal chance was lost. Back swept play to the Maoris' Tine, but the Wellington backs were handling the ball badly, and several opportunities went by the board. A good effort by the Brothers Barclay, Rodgers, Jacobs, and Wilkinson saw play transferred to the Wellington territory, where Algar effected a brilliant save when a score seemed imminent. Edwards, the Maoris' full-back, was prominent in the play which followed, and, although inclined to be a little showy, he saved well on more than one occasion. There was a period of fast, loose play, of a rather scrambling nature. Several times the Maoris reached Malm, only to be sent back again, and a nice com bined effort by the Maori backs left play in the .Wellington 25, where it was when the whistle sounded for the interval, with the score—Wellington 3, Maoris nil. With the wind in their favour, the Maoris started off at a great pace, but then Corner, Jackson, and Heley indulged in the first really decent passing run of the game, and brought play back to the Maori territory, -he game at this stage had improved slightly. With play back in the Wellington quarter, Algar was collared with the ball, but Corner stepped into the'breach and saved his side when things looked like the opening of the Maoris' scoring account. The Maoris continued to press hard, and inside the Wellington 25 the ball came out from the loose to Jacobs, who quickly seized an opportunity,' and dashed over amidst applause. Hall footed rather badly with the shot at goal, an easy one. From this out the game became more strenuous, and Wellington made great efforts to increase their score, but lack of efficient combination told against them. Fast open play, not characterised by a great deal of skill, prevailed until the end, but neither team appeared able to carry their efforts to full fruition. The match, which was controlled by Mr.L. Simpson, thus ended in a draw.