VICTORY FOR MAORIS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 29, 29 October 1926, Page 10

VICTORY FOR MAORIS

YORKSHIRE BEATEN BY 17 POINTS TO 9 A HARD, FAST GAME TOURISTS SHOW IMPROVED FORM The Maori Rugby team, in a bard, fast game, defeated Yorkshire by 17 points to 9. BY TELEGEAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Copyright.

(Rec. October 28, 7.35 p.m.) London, October 27. Five thousand spectators at the Rugby match of the Maoris against Yorkshire witnessed a hard, fast game, thoroughly interesting throughout. The weather was calm, but cold. The ground was in good order. Tlie teams were: — Maoris.—Pelham, Falwasser, Potaka, Phillips, Mete, Bell, Kingi, Barclay, Stewart, Manning, Rika, Haupapa, Tataua, Manihera, and Wilson. Yorkshire.—G. Harnell, E. Rycroft, F. Roberts (captain). H. Moore, F. Adams, H. Fletcher, H. Thompson, I. h. Whitefield, J. Eastwood, E. Blacker, E. Winkley, W. Chalcroft, E. Wrighton, H. Proctor, and H. Wilkinson. The Maoris plaved one of the best games of the tour,’the team working together much better in both back and forward divisions. The feature of the match was the pace of the Maoris as a team, and the brilliant dribbling of the Yorkshire vanguard. The spectators continuous erv to the home team was “Feet! feet!” The Yorkslnremen responded, giving a fine display _ in this branch of the code, which is seldom seen in New Zealand. Pelham continues to improve at full-back, and to-day fielded the ball and tackled his men faultlessly. He also showed good judgment in kicking and setting the three-quarters going. Barclay showed a complete return to form, and others who maybe mentioned ere Potaka, Phillips, Bell, Kingi. Stewart, Tatana, and Rika, though all played well. 4 mo^F o) ..tp® Yorkslnremen, Roberts and Fletcher were good behind the scrum, while Whitefield and Proctor showed up among the forwards. Yorkshire Opens Strongly.

Yorkshire opened strongly, and within three minutes Roberts cut in well and allowed Proctor to score a simple try, which Eastwood converted. Hie Maoris at this time were scratchy, while the local players proved dangerous in several passing rushes, Pelham saving brilliantly four times, tacklinp three times and then faking the ball off the forwards’ feet and finding touch. Phillips gained possession from a crosskick, but was brought down after a good forty-five yards run. Ryecroft was off tlie field for five minutes owing to an injury. After this the Maoris bucked up and took play to the county line, but the forwards overran the ball.' A tame period followed, until Bell spoiled a good chance by knocking on close to the line. After thirty-five minutes the Maori forwards hooked the ball, Kingi passing to Mete, who punted. Potaka snapped the leather up, and drawing tlie full-back passed to Balwasser, who scored. Pqtaka’s kick failed. Pelham showed up in some enterprising plav. Then Phillips dribbled and kicking hard past Harnell, raced Thompson for the ball, end touched down. Potaka again was unsuccessful with the kick. The half-time scores were: Maoris, 6 points; Yorkshire, 5. Maoris Not to be Denied. On resuming, the Maori forwards’.bustlin" play placed them in the attack, Phillips almost getting over after Potaka and Mete had handled the ball. A free kick enabled Phillips, to add three points from the touch line. A brilliant Yorkshire dribble saw the ball pro dead. Then 801 l knocked on into Fletcher’s hands, the latter making a good run and punting. Eastwood passed to Adams, who potted a rood goal, amidst immense enthusiasm. The scores now were nine all, but the Maoris were not to bo denied. After a period of loose, fast play, Bell snapped up the ball and passed to Stewart, who. just as he was tackled, threw, a long pass to Barclay close to the bne. the captain crossing. Phillins, however, was unable to add a goal. The Maoris maintained the pressure and Potaka tried to force his wav over the line. The forwards got across after a loose rush, but a five vards scrum was ordered. The Yorks booked the ball, but Barclay intercepted Fl etcher’s pass and scored his second trv. Potaka kickin" an easy - goal just before time was called, the'game ending:— Maoris W Yorkshire 9