MAORIS’ FINAL GAME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10805, 28 December 1926, Page 2

MAORIS’ FINAL GAME

DEFEAT OF FRENCH TEAM.

POOR DISPLAY OF RUGBY. (Press Association —Copyright.) PARIS, December 26. At Colombes, in the closing match of their tour, the Maoris beat France by 12 points to 3, after a poor game, in which both teams lacked finish and The Maoris kicked too much and their form was patchy. Bell, Dennis and Rika were the best. The French forwards were good, but thel backs failed. ..... . , France gained an initial advantage over the Maoris, scoring from a breakaway 20 minutes after the commencement. The try was not converted After fast play up and down the field the Maoris obtained their first try, iiist before half-time, Mamhera. passing to the backs and Barclay crossing. The score was then three all. In the second half, Falwasser, aftei a fine run down the field, scored a tiy, which Matene; failed to .convert, then Rika scored, Love this time failing with the kick. Barclay touched down after a run of 50 yards, but the refree decided that he had put Ins foot into touch in evading the full-back. However in the closing minutes Barclay got across again to score a try m the corner, which Matene failed to convert.

RECORD OIF THE TOUR. Following are the results of the matches played by the Maoris duimg the tour: — Auckland Won 13—12 Wellington .... Lost 23—16 Victoria Won 30— 0 Victoria Won 57 0 Ceylon Won 37 6 Marseilles .... Won 87 0 . Burgundy .... Won 27 3 Alpes Won 34 6 Littoral Won 29 8 Lyons Won 26 9 Languedoc. .... Won 8— o Basques Won 11— 6 Central France Won lo — 3 Somerset ...... Won 21 8 Newport ~ 2 Swansea. Won 11— 6 Yorkshire Mon 11— 6 Harlequins Lost 11 o Devon Lost 20— 0 Cardiff Won 18-8 Gloucester Lost 3 u Llanelly Lost 3 0 East Midlands Draw' 6 b Blackheath ... Won 9 o Cornwall Lost 6—■ 3 Leicester Won 15—13 Bordeaux Won 13— 3 Limoges Won 34 7 Perpegnan .... Won 9 8 Pau Won 11— 6 Bezieres Won 25—12 France Won 12— 3