MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 8

MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

THE TOUR OF BRITAIN. TWO NARROW LOSSES. (By E. E. BOOTH.) CARDIFF, November 15. The Maoris game with Gloucester was very disappointing from every standpoint almost. Neither side gave an exhibition commensurate with their full ability. Certainly the climatic conditons wore not favourable, but could not be called bail. The turf was only slightly broken, and the balls used were not greasy till a shower fell near the end. The game was characterised by forward engagements, including scrummages, melees and maulings, frequent whistlings that almost amounted to what has been . termed in the past a "whistling fantasia," and generally much nondescript play. It was absolutely "a game of lost chances," neither side availing themselves of main' opportunities offered. Most particularly was it so with the visitors, who failed most lamentably in their goal kicking from almost a score of chances. In all Gloucester were penalised fourteen times, often close up, and yet neither Pelham, Phillips (capI tain) or Love could eveu kick an equalising goal. Three attempts at dropped goals also failed. This, of course, is bad play, and it cannot be termed hard luck, being practically a hick of ability, recalling a similar failure in their Melbourne match. Yet with all summed up, the Maoris lost the game through extremely hard luck, arising from what I think was a misconception of actual facts by the referee. He penalised the Maoris for obstruction, which was wrong under the circumstances. Any free that should have been given was for them. Love ran back to support Pelham, who was taking a kicked ball, and had ample time to field it. Pelham was easily clearing, and Love stopped momentarily to view the kick, and was barely in line between v Gloucester player who was running up (and, I think, from an offside position), and who actually slipped himself and fell into Love's legs. From the resultant kick (quite straight out between the 25 and 50 lines) Millington beautifully goaled. This decided the ultimate issue. Neither side exhibited much system or cohesion, and the only flash of brilliancy was Falwasser's meteoric dash close on time, with the Maori forwards hammering continuously on the line just on the call of time. ln connection with this superb effort of the Maoris' best back, once again the element of bad luck lost the game. From the only decent chance by passing his inside backs gave him all day, the Maori greyhound might have scored at the corner post, but he swerved inwards, eluding many and hurdled two opponents under the crossbar. In his fall the ball fell and Wineera secured and carried over the remaining few inches. The referee well afield (inclined to be elderly) and right behind the occurrence ruled the ball as being knocked on, and a scrum resulted instead of a try. Another Unlucky Defeat. History certainly repeated itself in the Maoris' match against Llanelly. Tho "Natives" team in 1888-9 were narrowly beaten here. Now this defeat has been added to the number. Again, this narrow defeat by the three points that a penalty kick gi ves > and exactly similar to Gloucester, seemed altogether a most unlucky defeat. It resulted from a momentary hesitation, mishandling, and speculating by McDonald, acting at fullback, after 22 minutes' time. The actual happening seemed unaccountable, for he had ample time to avert the disaster when mere kicking or fielding would have sufficed. Apart from this, a draw would have been a more equitable ending to a game in which neither side had any pronounced superiority. The game, uiken as a whole, was keen, very hard, well contested at good pace, and con lined principally to the forward divisions. Its chief commendation was its rugged virility. It was a dour, determined struggle, and harder than it appeared to the spectators. Xo quarter was asked or given, yet withal the spirit was excellent, due in no small measure to tiie discretion and skill displayed by Mr. Tom Vile, the international referee, in handling what was considered beforehand a very tough proposition. The Llanelly team are almost all tinplate workers, strong-armed men, who played with almost a fiery zeal, whilst the, Maoris strove hard to preserve their i undefeated Welsh record. The only. flashes of brilliancy were shown by the ' Maoris in the closing stages, when, after j a tremendous long hammering on their I own lines, they made a great onslaught i and rally right against the wind on Llanelly's lines, Falwasser. as at Gloucester, making a great effort, and also Bell and McDonald each in turn all but successfully. Such a game so evenly contested without any special outstanding features, scores or individual play., does not call for much description. The best features were the most determined and wholehearted tackling by both oides.