PIRATES THE VICTORS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 73, 29 April 1929, Page 4

PIRATES THE VICTORS

OYATES SCORES NINE POINTS OFE HIS BOOT. M.A.C. BEATEN 9—6. ) irates beat M.A.C. by nine poiius to six in a game that developed into a very fast and exciting encounter over it final stages 011 McLean Park, Napier. Most of tlie way through tlie game failed to thrill the watchers, but m tbe last quarter was very exciting, both sides making great efforts to the accompaniment of great cheering. Pirates owed their victory to the veteran Yates, who scored all tlieir points with three penaltv goals. The ground was in fine order, but the strong sun was very trying to Lliose playing against it. Pirates played against tlie sun and within two minutes opened their score, Yates kicking a penaltv goal from right in front. Pirates 3 M.A.C 0 The Maori boys quickly retaliated. They rushed play down to tlie Black end" whare they missed a tree kica in front of goal. They kept play there and from a forward scramble Marsh dived over. The kick missed. Pirates went back with a great rusli and Yates placed tliem aliead again by landing a fine goal from just inside half-wav. Pirates were now having the bctter of the play, which was mostly in the Blue lialf. From about a c-liain and a-half out, Yates had another attempt .M.A.C. set tlie game going in great stvle in the second spell, rushing play down to the Pirates' end, where excitement reigned. Yates and Oliver, however, were doing valuable work for tlie Blacks 011 defence, and kept tlio Blues out. The Maori boys were playing with great fire, and a great forward rush placed tliem aliead. Thre Blue forwards followed up a long kick and carried it over the line, where Waikaira fell on it for a try near the posts. There were loud cheers from the M.A.C. supporters, but they turned to groans when tlie attempt to convert hit the posts. Pirates 6 M.A.C 6 Play alternated from one end of tlie field to the other, and first one side and tlien the other was within an ace of scoring. Yates' trusty kicking hoots won the game for Pirates a few minutes before time. A free kick was awarded well out, and the five-eighths hoisted a fine goal. Curiously enough, it was the absence of a good goal kicker that cost M.A.C. the match. ln the last ten minutes of play, in which they were swarming down 011 tlie Pirates' line, tlie Maori boys were awarded three free kicks within reasonable range. Three different kickers took the shots, but all missed. Time sounded shortly afterwards, leaving the final score : Pirates 9 M.A.C 6 Mr N, A. McKenzie had the whistle.