WIN FOR MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 22 November 1926, Page 11

WIN FOR MAORIS

VfCTORY OVER BLACKHEATH

GREAT FORWARD PLAY.

(United Preu Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, 20th November. The Maori Rugby team beat Blackheath by 9 points to 5. The Prince of Wales was present at the match and shook hands with the teams. Mr. Coates also attended. Haupapa, although not playing, changed into football clothes and led a war dance. Bain all night had soddoned tho turf, resulting in a very greasy ball, making handling most difficult. The teams were: — Maoris: Potaka, Falwasser, Pelham, Phillips, Kingi, Wiueera, Love, Bell, Olscii, Dennis, Rika, Wilson, Tatana, Manihera, and Robinson. Blackheath: King-Turner, Sir Thomas Devitt, Kendal, Bishop, Wynne, Young, Kemp, Chichester, Bonaventura, Ryder, Pratten, Gwynne, Haslett, Brashi^r, and Rodham. The Maoris started shakily, Blackheath pressing for the first quarter of an hour. They once crossed the line, but the referee ordered a lino-out. Subsequently Rika broke away and Tatana carried on a good run, but the pass was intercepted. The Maoris wen* again forced to play on the defensive, although they made several breakaways, in one of which Falwasser got in a sixty yards' run before lie was thrown into touch, with several colleagues waiting to take a pass. Phillips started a Maori offensive from a scrum, and continued attacking until a free-kick relieved the pressure on Blackheath's defence. Love spoiled a chance to score by hanging on to the ball. Young broke through the Maoris in vigorous style, and passed, to Pratten, who scored a try, which Kemp converted. Halftime found the scores: Blackheath, 5; Maoris, 0. Immediately play was resumed in the second spell the Maoris attacked, Robinson, Bell, and Falwasser combining in an excellent dribble, till Phillips picked up, and beat several opposing players, only to be tackled when within inches of the line. Manihera secured the ball from a serum, put down his head, and forced his way across. Potaka failed with the kick. The Maoris continued to press, but their passes went too often at random. Falwasser got over the line, but the referee ruled that a pass from Pelham had been forward. Kingi dashed round a scrum, and sent the ball in to. Dennis, who scored, but Potaka was unable to add a goal. Devitt made a great run, but' was grassed opportunely by Bell with a magnificent tackle. The Maoris' better condition enabled them to continue their attacks, and Rika forced his way over the line. Potaka's kick, however, was a failure. The Maoris' victory was due to great forward play. Bell, Kingi, Pelham, and Love were also excellent.