MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19485, 15 November 1926, Page 14

MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

DEFEAT BY LLANELLY. VISITORS' POOR COMBINATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ("Reed. 15 p.ni.l LONDON, Nov. 13. The Maori footballers were to-day defeated by Lianelly by 3 points to 0. There were 15,000 spectators. The Lianelly players were id great form. Threatening weather and, a high wind spoiled the back play. Although the Mabris played with the wind in the first half Llanellj; did nearly ail the pressing, Parker-scored a try for tha Welshmen after 20 minutes' play.. Tbo kick at goal failed. Falwasser alone among the Maoris utilised . the wind. The play of the others was disappointing. When the Maoris attacked the Lianelly backs tackled them Splendidly, especially John, Jenkins and Hay. v" The-halt-time whistlo was greeted with great cheering. Assisted- by tho wind in the second half. Llanc-lly perilled tho Maoris on . the line. Finch;, Jom Evans and Ivor Jones were held up when they were crossing. The Maoris were disappointing, mainly because combination was lacking. Oniy their great covering defence held Lianelly at bay. John was in fine form. Twice he nearly dropped goals. Time and again Lianelly beat the Maori defence. Th'e Maoris played Pelhani at fullback instead of McDonald at one stage, but they failed to stave off the defeat although they passed brilliantly in the last few minutes and almost pulled the game out of the fire. The Lianelly fullback tackled Phillips on the line, thus saving the game. LlanoUy's best players were: John, Evans, Jenkins, Jones and Griffiths. For the Maoris, Phillips, Falwasser, Love and Matene wero the most prominent.