MAORIS TOO GOOD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 138, 28 June 1937, Page 9

MAORIS TOO GOOD

Pirates Swamped in Second Speti FLUCTUATING HONOURS Aftgr giving a very poor exhibition in. the first half of their game against Pirates on the No. 2 area at Nels\i Park, M.AC. came to light in the second spell with something of their usual form and emerged comfortable winners by 32—16, after heibg 8—13 at halftime, The Maori forwards' were in great form, especially in the second half, though as a team Pirates were sttperior. The teanis were as follow: — M.A.C.-Ls, Jackson; Meafou, WaF fcrd, Spadi Poi; Staples, Ktirupo; NewtOnj Marino. Mataira, E. Jackson; Beid, Thompson, Greening, Ponga ■ Crawford. Pirates. — Mapuhi; Wolstenholme, A. Lopdell, B. W. Blissj Dowrick, Thompson; Lister; Fraser, Keeble, Marshali; McKenzie, B. Bliss, Coolc, I. Lopdell; Hill. ' The Maoris were first to settle down, though against the wind. Making the game an opeii one for the forwards, fchfey had Pirates bbstled. Gathering up the ball Ivurupo broke away to score in a handy posiition for S. Jackson to convert. With this upset, Pirates rallied well, and they in turn had the Maoris buatled, partic'ularly the backs, who were not playing up to form. Snappy passing by Pirates provided Thompson with the opportunity to score a good try near the corner. Pirates confcinued to have charge of the play and shortly afterwards Thompson Becured from a liue-out and dropped au excellent field goal. During the next t'en minutes the play became most exciting and the scoi'e fiuctuated, with Pirates holding the iipper hand. A brilliant break by Watford paved the way for Crawford to gallop over near the posts and G. Jackson converted, but shortly afterwards Praaer secufcil a try as the result of good following-up of a futile "pot." Within a few minutes Pirates forged Further ahead as the result of Mapuhi kieking & good penalty goa^ and the interval found Pirates leading 13 — 8. After the change-over M.A.C. were oarly on the job of scoring, the forwards braaking away, badly bustling the Pirate backs and Mataira crossed near the posts within 90 seconds of ihe kick-out. S. Jackson evencd up tlie scores with the conversion. A few minutes later Eeed scored a splendid try, using hie weight and speed to good purpoSe. At this stage H. Ffaser (Pirates) irtd W. Mataira (M.A.C.) were erdored nfl' f6r fightiug. Hpott resumhig the Maori forwards broke away dn a fme passing bout, Crawford piercing the defence to send Peid over for anotlier try. For a time after this Pirates were successful in keeping plav to neutral ten'itory, but slowly the Maoris returnccl atid after the forwards had just failed to get over Meafou scored from a passing bout, the opening being ensrinecred by Watford. R. Jackson r : *• did the honours, making the score 1 -13. For a time there was a lull in the scoring, Pirates having a turn at tho

attaek, but met with no success though they made the pace fast. The Maori forwards came back, and Crawford battled his way over for a great try. E. Jackson converted. Within a few minutes Walford crossed as the result of a passing br^it. The final touches to the scoring, however, rested with Piirates, the forwards breaking away for I. Lopdell to score from a scramble, making the final count 32 — 16 to tlie Maoris. The scorers were: — M.A.C.; S. Jackson (four converaions), Beid and Crawford (two tries each), Ivurupo, Mataira, Meafou and Walford (try each). Pirates: Thompson (try and field goal), Fraser and I. Lopdell (try each), Mapuhi (penalty goal). Mr J. Geenty was referee.