A FOOTBALL SURPRISE.

Shannon News, 13 June 1922, Page 3

A FOOTBALL SURPRISE.

HOROWHENUA BEATS MAORI TOURING TEAM. The Maori team which is to tour Australia met a Horowhenua fifteen on the Levin Domain yesterday afternoon, and suffered defeat by the substantial margin of 14 points to 3. The game was hurriedly arranged, but the local Union officials quickly made the necessary preliminaries, and there was a fair crowd of spectators present considering the short notice. The Horowhenua team was not the strongest side that- could be got together, but under the circumstances the players made a good response to the Union’s call upon them, and the way they acquitted themselves was an eyeopener, probably as much to the visiting combination as to Union and the public. The game was fast and spectacular, and when tli'e Maoris had scored before the home side had properly awakened to the fact, it looked as if they were, going to run up a big tally. But not so, for from that on Horowhenua made a great display in all departments, and had achieved a decisive victory by the time the final whistle went. The only mishap of the afternoon was an accident to Porter, of Horowhenua, who sustained a broken rib, and had to retire, after giving a splendid exhibition. The Maoris (black) defended the northern goal, and put Horowhenua (red) on defensive immediately by rushing play towards the home goal. The ball got into Blake’s possession, and the nippy wing 1 drew first blood for the Blacks by threading his way through the opposition and dashing over the line. The goaling kick failed. Maoris 3, Horowhenua 0. The Reds, however, soon evened up matters, and the ball coming into Porter’s hands, the speedy Hui Mai man ran from outside half way, beat several tacklers ,and scored amidst great enthusiasm. From this on the play livened up and became very fast among the forwards, whilst the backs of both sides missed no opportunity of throwing the ball out and opening up the game. The Red pack, led by Jacob, weri more than holding their own, and gave their backs every chance. Good forward work, carried the play continually to the visitors’ end. From a scrum in a handy position Utiku sent out to Porter, who transferred to N. Winiata. and then Wakefield. The handling of the ball was good, and the last-named touched down over the line The kick failed, and Horowhenua led 6—3'. The Reds continued to hold the opposing forwards, and some fast work followed in the Blacks’ twenty-five. The home forwards broke away and charged down on the Blacks’ goal-line. Jacob snapped up and passed out to Tana, who scored Horowhenua’s third try. Horowhenua 9, Maoris 3. Dashing play by T. Moynihan, N. Winiata and Porter, and Robertson and George among the forwards, kept the game from 1 penetrating far into home ground. Payne, Blake* Gemmell and Mill opened up some nice passing among the visiting backs, but they were unable to carry it to fruition, and half-time was called without alteration in the score.

In the second half, the Blacks’ play was much better, their backs in par-, ticular showing some fine nippy work. They opened with a passing movement into Red quarters, but it went astray, and Moynihan turned the tables by sprinting nearly to the visitors’ line, where exciting work ensued. Porter retired injured, and Johnson (Hui Mai) went on at lull back, Jacob playing five-eighth and Hopa going up to the forwards. The whole of the remaining play was maintained at a fast clip, very spectacular, with both sets of backs getting in good passing work. The Blacks’ rearguard once or twice looked certain to score. One rush took them close to the Red goal, when the ball was passed back infield when a pass to the wing would have ' brought success. The attack failed, and a mark was taken within range of vhe goal, the kick went wide. The ball travelled up and down held with several exciting rallies. Just towards the close the Reds were once more inside their opponents’ twenty-live. Here the ball was sent to N. Winiata, who made a flue opening for Moynihan on the wing. The latter took the ball at top and raced over the near corner. Jacob made no mistake with the kick, and the final score read— Horowhenua 14, Maoris 3. Mr T. Parata was the referee.