British Team at Rotor ua

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 200, 22 August 1904, Page 5

British Team at Rotor ua

A SURPRISING DEFEAT. MAORI TEAM WINS BY 8 TO 6. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ROTORUA, this day. The British football team was taken yesterday to view the famous Hamurana spriiars. and they also visited Tikitcrc. In tne afternoon at Whaka they witnessed a poi dance and a haka by the Maoris. This morning the team played a Maori team at Pukeroa. The greatest interest was taken in the match by all the residents of the district, and the scenes before the match were a reproduction on a smaller scale of the enthusiasm which was witnessed before the great game on Saturday in Auckland. Business was completely suspended in Rotorua, and quite 2000 persons were present. Playing much below their ordinary form, vhe British team surprised the spectators by being defeated by the Maori team. In the first spell they led by sis points to nil. but they did not. cfOss their opponents' line ou the change of ends, while the Maori* scored eight point.. The game tras played in two 30-min-ute spells. Heavy rain fell during the first spell, when England scored two tries, neither being converted. In the second spell Rotorua played up, obtaining two tries. From one a goal was kicked. The British team was unable to withstand the Rotorua forwards, who played an irresistible game, whilst the visitors showed considerably staleness. Final score: — Rotoma , 8 points Britain 6 points There was great, enthxtsiasm among the Maori residents. Many valuable Maori mementoes have been presented to the English visitors by the nutives.