REP. FOOTBALL

Shannon News, 14 June 1929, Page 1

REP. FOOTBALL

MAORIS DEFEAT PAKEHAS. The annual Pakeha-Maorl Rugby match was played on the Otaki Domain yesterday afternoon in the presence ot' a small attendance (of spectators. Heavy and continuous rain had fallen for some hours, only ceasing when the game commenced; but fortunately it held off until the finish. As a result of the weather the attendance suffered, while the playing area was covered with pools of water, the ground being well sodden. The game was a mud and water scramble, but nevertheless, despite the greasy ball and the uncertainty of a foothold, some surprisingly good pieces of play were witnessed; the players handling the ball remarkably well considering the conditions. The Maori team was superior cu the day, their backs working well together, this no doubt, being responsible for their decisive victory by 20 points t) nil. In the unfavourable conditions under which the game was played, it was quite evident that Horowhenua will be able td. field a strong fifteen, in their representative fixtures. The f ollowing are the players who took part: — Pakehas: Ryder (Wanderers), Robinson (Foxton), McKenzie (Shannon), Thompson (Foxton), Stevenson (Foxton), Bull (Hui Mai), Barnes (Foxton), McLennan (Hui Mai), Moody (Shannon), Pratt (Shannon), Satherley (Shannon), L. Dalzell (Shannon) (captain), McDonnell (Wanderers), Dickinson (Foxton), Andrews (Foxton) . Maori: Johnson (Otaki), R. Broughton (Hui Mai), Taylor (Foxton), J. Broughton (Hui Mai), S. Graham (Wani derers), Bevan (Hui Mai), W. Parata (Wanderers),. Moses (Foxton), K. Hakaraia (Otaki), M. Hakaraia (Otaki), McDonald (Wanderers), Hanna (Shannon), Tatana (Wanderers), Hindu (Foxton), T. Parata (Wanderers). The Pakehas took the field with fourteen players, Stevenson, the absentee, who travelled to Otaki by train, arriving , some minutes ,after the 'game was in progress. The Maoris kicked off, and soon after L. Dalzell headed a Pakelia dribbling rush which carried play to the Maori line, but the latter at once removed the scene of operations to the other end, where, from a scramble T. Parata went over. Taylor failed with the kick. Maoris 3, Pakehas nil.

By kicking high and following up, Taylor placed the Pakehas on the defensive, finally compelling them to force. A passing miovement among the rearguard of the Pakehas carried play to Maori territory, but the latter soon worked clear, and a fine passing movement started by Moses, in which the ball travelled on to Taylor, and R. Broughton and then back to Moses, ended in the latter (scoring - the Maoris’ second try. Taylor again failed with the kick. Maoris 6, Pakehas nil.

On the ball going into play, a linekick by McKenzie took play inside the Maoris’ 25, where, from a penalty, McDonnell had a shot at goal. Afterwards a dribbling rush by Pakehas with only the full-back to pass, looked like a chance to score, but, kicking too hard, the effort was spoilt. The rearguard divisions of both teams were handling the greasy ball well, and ii a passing movement among the Pakehas, Bull short-punted, and Taylor, re ceiving the ball, sent it on to J. Broughton, who put in a fine run, carrying play to Pakehas’ line; but the ball was again brought back by the Palceha forwards, in which Pratt, Moody and Andrews were prominent. A penalty gave McDonnell a chance to score, bu the kick fell low. Taylor was then re sponsible for carrying play to Palceha territory, and *a hot' rally on the latter’s line, in which a number of Maori i,layers were unable to hold the greas;. ball, failed to bring about a score, Pakehas saving by forcing. Shortly after, Pratt got away with the ball at ' his too, but Meta Johnson picked up and kicked the ball to centre. It was quickly brought back and Robinson set off for the line, but an opportunity to score was lost through his not passing. The Pakehas continued to press, but a scrum on the line saw the Maoris work clear, and then M. Hakaraia dribbled into his opponents’ territory, but Ryder, at full back, who was playing a fine defensive game, by a good kielc sent the ball well down the field, ] the spell ending: Maoris 6, Pakehas I nil. On resuming, play travelled up and down the field, until J. Broughton got possession and set off for the line. On being collared, he sent the ball bn to W. Parata, who scored. Johnson was unsuccessful with the kiclc. Maoris 9, Pakehas nil.

J. Broughton was again responsible for placing the Pakehas on the defensive when lie raced for the line, but this time he short-punted over an opponent’s head, and Bull, securing the ball, kicked out to touch. A hot attack by Pakehas was stopped by Taylor marking. They came again, but Bevan, by a good kick, returned to centre. At this stage Dickinson met with an injury to his leg and had to retire, being replaced by Picard. Soon after the ball went into play,; Devan and S. Graham, by a passing bout, enabled the Maoris to invade the Paßblias’ line, where a member ef the lat-

ter’s team, in. an attempt to kick the ball, dropped it and Hanna fell On it to register a score. Tatana failed to add the two points. Maoris 12, Pakehas nil. / .. . The Pakehas, tVho were not yet done with the forwards, in a determined effort to score dribbled to their opponents’ line, only to be forced by Hanna. Then M. Johnson, surrounded by about half a dozen of his colleagues, put in a good run, and, with only ttvo men to pass, was overtaken by Stevenson before he could get rid of the ball. A Maori attack was launched in their opponents’ territory, but B. Dalzell, intercepting a page* kicked up the field After the ball had travelled up and down the field, Bevan got possession and, after being handled by Taylor, S. Graham and-, j Broughton, play was onc-e again in Pakqhas’ 25. Here the ; attack was continued; and from a lineout J. Broughton went over. Taylor, with a splendid fci'<£k,.'converted. Maoris* 17," Pakeh&k,,nij.. * Tlie' ; Natives continued to makh the pace and were keeping their opponents busy, defending their line. Dead ball. gave. • bome • respite, but it was. only momentary, as a passing movement in which about eight Maori players took part ended in M. Hakaraia scoring; Taylor failed to convert. Maoris 20, Pakehas nil; '■ - 1 From nor? oh until the end of the game, the Maori team were the aggressors. Final score: Maoris 20, Pakeh'as nil. Mr E, Bevan. controlled the game. In the Maori team :father and son i (K. and M. Hakaraia) did the hoek-