Thrilling Game Ends in Draw

Shannon News, 26 July 1927, Page 3

Thrilling Game Ends in Draw

AFTER MAORIS ESTABLISH 810 LEAD v Following a disheartening display of football In the first spell, the combined Horowhenua-Manawatu team on Saturday rallied in the second half to provide one of the most spectacular matches that has been witnessed in Palmerston North for some time, and one that will long be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to be present. At the close of the first spell the Maori tourists were leading by .16 points to 5 and Manawhena supporters were despondent over their team’s showing. A compete reversal of form, however, characterised the second spell and not only did the district wipe out the substantial margin, but near the end of the game established a lead and ftaly a last minute try by the Maoris robbed the combined men of victory. Needing a try to draw and a goal to win the Maoris staged a finish, more often read about than witnessed. A minute before time Harrison, the clever half, slipped across the line ana scored near the corner. While the ball was being placed for tlie fateful kick the bell rang announcing time, and the big crowd waited tensely while Ihaka took careful aim. A “no charge” was ordered, giving him every advantage but he failed, and the game ended as it should with honours even.

The Teams. Manawhenua (blue): Full-back, Williamson; three-quarters, H. Darragh. Hunt, McDonald; five-eighths, Brophy, Warren; half, W. Parata; wlng.f or ward, Jacob; forwards, Anderson, Hakaraia, Parsons, Crawford. 'Tatana, Galpin, Payne. Maoris (black); Full-back Jones; three-quarters. -Peina, Pelham, Falwasser; five.eighths, Te Ngaio, Smith; half, Harrison; wing-forward, Solomon; forwards, Manihera, G. Gt-m----mell, Rika, Ihaka, S. Gemmell, J Gemmell,' Rene. The Game. Solomon took tho kick and found the line. From the throw.in Combinoda instituted a forward- dribbling rush that was hopeful but the defence heldr The play that followed was decidedly in Manawhenua’s favour, but the ball was badly handled. Opportunities were lost by both sides and following upon mishandling by the visiting backs, Hunt dived over neai .the posts and Jacob had no difficulty in converting: Manawhenua ‘ 5 Maoris ?.. 0 The combined forwards kept up the pressure and the visitors during the next ten minutes, seldom got over the halfway line. Play took on a bright# aspect .when Warren got going from the loose. He passed to Brophy who dummied, but was caught five yards from the line. Then the Maoris were successful in turning the tables and shortly afterwards Falwasser got away In a characteristic corkscrew run and crossed to score near the posts. Ihaka added the extra points: Manawhenua ......... 5 Maoris 5 The blacks continued their onslaught and kept, the combined backs working hard to relieve. Cheers greeted a sparkling run by Brophy who un. fortunately lost the ball as he endeavoured to dummy tho full-back. Manawhenua had been exceedingly crude n the rearguard passing rushes up to this point in the game much to the disgust of the spectators.. However, hearts wer e gladdened at an almost sudden but brief awakening of the district men. Applause and cheers rewarded several passing bouts that almost bore fruit. The Combineds time and again / drove down on the Maori defence but misfortune attend, ed their efforts.

In one of these rushes Falwasser 'intercepted a pass when the Combincds were within ten yards of the SOal line and, as luck would have it all the Manawhenua backs were well up. Williamson alone 3tood between the Taranaki-Hawke’s Bay crack and what seemed to be a certain try. Falwasser raced down on him, but in. stead of attempting one of his famous swerves tried the trick that Cooke wbrked so cleverly on the previous Wednesday. He punted over Williamson’s head and with about forty yards to go the Maori flier and the Manawhenua colt commenced a neck and heck race for the ball. To the surprlse and delight of the Excited crowd Williamson gradually drew ahead, beating his opponent to the ball by •Qiy ft couple of feet, and kicking into :touch amUl a great burst of cheering. It Was a great effort Williamson’s -fleetness of foot being the surprise IMieket of the match.

The Maoris were now warming to their- work and the grandstand was given plenty of thrills when the backs .were set ip motion. Tt was from a |pos@ scrum, however, that the visitor. fccoreiJ*"’their' next try, S. Gemmoll

scrambling over with a pack of com. bined men hanging <?n to him. Ihaka took the kick, sending the leather over the bar; Maoris _ Manawhenua ®- Disappointed Spectators. Apart from a very occasional good passing rush, the spectators were becoming a little exasperated with the Combined team. . Perhaps the criticism that was thrown down on to the field was somewhat harsh . And what was more, the Maoris at this stage were displaying superiority in ail departments of the game. A typical instance of Manawhenua’s fumbling occurred near the end of the spell when in a. loose forward rush no less than seven players overran the ball in speculative kicking, for the leather to be picked up by the back line which fortunately hack been following up closely. The last few minutes saw Manawhenua well on the ■ defensive and'the visitors added their third try when Rika crossed - near the posts from a forward rush. . Ihaka’s kick went low: Maoris ... 13 Manawhenua 5 Half time was due at any moment and from the kick off, the visitors went down in a rush. Manawhenua backs fumbled and within a few moments as it seemed of the last try, Solomon got away attended by Rika, t'he latter took the pass when Williamson laid Salomon low,’ and touched down under the posts. Pelham took the kick but the Combined charge caught the ball:

Maoris 16 Manawhenua 5 Half.time with blub supporters looking blue! Tim Tide Turns, The change-over saw Manawhenua facing the sun. Harrison, the speedy Maori half, gathered up the ball from the kick-off and in a magnificent run down half the field, left the Combineds behind. Williamson, who had been playing safely at full-back, brought his man low, which gave the blues the time needed to get behind him. The Combineds then fought their way back to be awarded a per:, alty within striking distance. Jacob took tho kick and to the accompaniment of. much free .advice from anxious *supporters to allow for the wind, was successful in adding the much-needed points: Maoris 16 Manawhenua 8 The only department -in which the blues had excelled right through the game was the scrum. Anderson and Hakaraia doing fine work as hookers L'hey were instrumental in getting the oall out time and again to their backs. Prognostications that the Maoris would have a walk-over during this spell were ill-founded,, for from this .moment the blues put up a stubborn ight and showed their real worth. A i.ransformation that had been gradu. illy taking place, now made itself evident and the crowd gave the team every encouragement.-. By dint ot hard work the black defence' was forced back and the blue backs crossed the field several times looking for an opening which would no; •ome. The over-anxious stand stamped in a disappointment that was quickly turned'to a spontaneous bursi if cheering however, when Anderson i'orcc-d through and touched down with a pack of Maoris on top of him. Jacob failed with the kick: Maoris 16 Manawhenua lb

The visitors, however, quickly retaliated and within a few minutes had igain increased their lead, Solomon jetting over and Ihaka converting: Maoris 21 Manawhenua 11 Tremendous Enthusiasm. Excitement ran high. The blues followed up their kick off with a deermination that was worthy of sue. tess. The backs picked up courag» md indulged in some great line-kiclt-ng that pleased the crowd immensely vVhcn Warren took up the running :rom a great opening made by Jacob who had got to within a yard of the line there was a roar of delight as the diminutive five-eighth side-stepped his ivay behind the posts. Orophy sent ihe leather over: Maoris 21 Manawhenua 3 6 Excitement was now at fever heat and when Jacob followed up this success within a few minutes by picking up the leather from a scrum and literally tearing his way over with three hefty opponents hanging on to him, there, was no holding the spectators. Brophy added the extra points bringing the scores even: Manawhenua 21 Maoris 21 Manawhenua Leads! But this was not the end. The Combineds fought magnificently and at this stage of the game, the ball seldom got over halfway. Tt was a great contest and after the exhibition of the first spell could hardly be realised. The forwards made the game very willing while the backs passed well. Then Anderson, espying an opening, crossed again to give blues the lead. Again the crowd

stood and cheered to the echo even though Brophy’s kick failed. Manawhenua 24 Maoris . 21 Victory Lost On Call Of Time.

Time was almost up. The Maoris electrified at this turn of affairs, swept down the- field with spectacular rushes. They flung the ball about freely, seldom spoiling passes. The defence stood this onslaught well and the blues gradually fought their way back agajsju. Once more the blacks returned to the attack and on the call of time, Harrison, the clever little black half, fooled the opposition badly to score a delightful try. The timebell went while Ihaka was preparing his kick. The scores were now even with the shot at goal tho deciding factor of the day. The silence could be felt as tho big Maori tried for victory, but he failed and a memorable game ended: Maoris’ . ... . 24 Manawhenua 24

Mr. J. F. King, of Wanganui, was a strictly impartial if somewhat indulgent referee.