REPRESENTATIVE GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 16, 19 July 1923, Page 11

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES

SOUTHLAND DEFEATED BY

MAORIS.

INVERCARGILL. 18th July. Six thousand people sjvw the meeting of the Maoris and Southland. The weather was fine, and the ground was yielding, but not holding; a steady easterly blew across the ground. Southland kicked off against the sun, and a great forward rush broke through the Maori defence. B.'Oughton kicked, and Brown,, followine up, fielded the ball and went over; Agnew's kick missed. After thirteen minutes^ play Barclay had to go off ivitli an injured leg. Roberts replacing him. The Southland forwards were superior in tight rushes. Brown fielded a kick from a rush, scoring, after a ten yards dash; Agnew converted. Another forward rush saw the' Maoris force. Then the Maori backs sot going in a series of movements, M'Gregor being taken at the corner; soon after Mill was grassed a yard short under the posts. M'GreKor again narrowly missed scoring, being tackled and thrown out at the corner by Richardson, who was hurt. The spell ended with Southland leading by 8 to nil.

The second spell, opened with the Southland, forwards attacking,, bu,t when the Maori backs got the ball they: made ground with fine passing. -BeU arid Millwere brilliant in defence. The Maoris carried mbst of the scrums, but in loose play.the. home.team had the upper hand. The Maori 'backs'brok'e" away, M'Gregqv going out near the corner. Richardson put in a fine lone-handed dribble, for twenty yards, but Paki saved well. Play worked back to centre, and then Mill beat the opposition badly, passing to Bell, who pierced the defence with a clever run and scored. Jacobs missed the kick._ After some forward , battles the Maoris worked back with three penalties, Tuki putting the last one over. Then the Maoris woke up properly, and 'began hanojlinjii jtirn-ard. m\d ,back. Walker and Matene being prominent. From a back movement Walker got possession ' and passed to Matene, who scored easily under the posts. Matene converted. The Maori backs were-attack-jng at the close. '

The Jliioiis' passing was far too good for Southland, who ow.ed • most of their success to the fine display by the dorr wards. Mill and Bell were the best of the backs, shining throughout; but the last ten minutes of the game provided a brilliant display of modern handling. The Maoris' scores were a try, a converted try, and/ a penalty (ll" points); Southland, two tries, one converted (B .points). Mr.. A. H. Stott was referee.