MAORIS DEFEATED.

Evening Star, Issue 18334, 23 July 1923, Page 5

MAORIS DEFEATED.

CANTERBURY WINS, 7-3.

The keen interest taken in the match was shown by the big attendance of about 10,000. Tbo only alteration in tho Canterbury team was that W. T. Langbein replaced Peterson in the forwards, the latter suffering from a poisoned hand. Mr W. Duggan was referee. FIRST SPELL. Tho Maoris kicked off, and after some lino work near tho centre Bell, with a dodgy run, tqok play back to Canterbury territory, but the latter’s forwards worked back. Brown, a Canterbury wing three-quarter, had a kick at goal from a penalty, which narrowly missed. A fine kick by Potaka found tho line well down in Canterbury’s twenty-five, where the Maori backs threw the ball about with refreshing freedom; but the Canterbury collaring was safe. At this’ stage Peina was conspicuous with a fine run. but a wild passnear the lino spoiled what looked like an imminent score. Fine passing by the Canterbury backs transferred play to across the halfway line, where M‘Cabo passed to Evans, and tho latter to St. George, who potted a magnificent goal. Canterbury ... 4 Maoris 0

On resuming, the home team set up a vigorous attack, and tho Maoris had to call upon all their resources of defence to avert a score. Tho Canterbury forwards wero having the butter of the scrum work, getting the ball nearly every time. Their backs, however, could not get the machine going fn face of the Maoris’ solid defence. Brown missed a very easy penalty goal right in front of tho posts. Canterbury continued strong pressure on the Maori line, and wero unlucky in not registering a score, tho Maoris being forced several times. Tho Maoris, in fact, wore playing a_ very ragged game, being overwhelmed in all departments. As a change to the monotony of the long spell of defence, Broughton led' tho Maoris in a great forward rush, and in a flash play was at tho other end) of tho field, and Canterbury had a taste of repelling the invaders. It was a very brief experience however, as a long kick by Harris found tbo centre, and Canterbury were soon again swarming on the Maori lino, but unable to score. The -Maoris appeared a stale team, and were lucky in not having two or three scores registered against them. Faulty passing and fumbling of the ball at critical moments were largely responsible for this condition of things. Peina, at this stage, was temporarily laid out by a brilliant but desperate tackle by M‘Cleary. The Maori forwards eventually relieved tho pressure, and some interesting loose play near the centre followed. Once or twice the Maoris showed a glimpse of their true form. It was only momentary, and they soon relapsed into stodginess. At half-time play was still in tho visitors’ twenty-five, where it had been for nearly the whole of tho spell. Play had been very disappointing, relieved by very few flashes of the highclass football the public came to see. SECOND SPELL.

Tho opening of the second half saw Canterbury resuming aggressive tactics, and in a ennplo of minutes the Maoris wore desperately defending their lino. Eventually a great kick by Peina from a mark transferred play to the centre, but a brilliant piece of passing by tho _ Canterbury backs put them once again in trouble. Relief came from a kick by Jacobs, and short, crisp passing among the Maori backs, tho first they had' shown during tho afternoon, resulted in a spell of play in the Canterbury twenty-five. Once Peina, with a fine ran, looked like, scoring, but Harris stopped him. _ The Maoris now opened up the game in refreshing stylo, the backs freely throwing the hall about, but the movements loth to nothing. Tho hall travelled up and down the field at lightning speed, both sets of backs having their turn in the picture. In a flash tho Maoris were knocking at tho Canterbury lino, but a forward rush, ■headed by Parker, cleared tho territory, and a spell of play at centre followed. At this stage (4.10 p.m.) heavy mist settled over the ground, making it very difficult for the spectators to distinguish the players. Canterbury set up a strong attack," which Bell lifted, and the Maori hacks were set in motion; but fumbling by Jacobs spoiled what was developing into a dangerous movement. A fine , kick by Harris saw play in the Maori twentyfive, but a groat rush by their forwards ended in a desperate attack on tho Canterbury line, the Maoris being unlucky in not scoring.

From a spectacular point of view the had brightened considerably in the last few minutes, honors being decidedly with the Maoris. Canterbury’s defensive work was severely tested, back and forward. At last the Maoris were rewarded, Hell getting across under tho posts. Jacobs missed the goal. Canterbury ... ... „ ... 4 Maoris 3

Tho Maoris now' wore getting all over the local men until suddenly the Maoris “ went to tho ’pack,” having done their dash in tho ton minutes’ violent onslaught which culminated in their only score. Canterbury swept tho ball to tho other end of the field, and scored from the blind sido just before the bell rang. Canterbury 7 Maoris ... „. 3

On tho day’s play Canterbury deserved their win, but their score should have been larger.

This is tho Maoris’ second defeat in New' Zealand, their previous conquerors being Auckland.

IN OTHER CENTRES. SOUTH OTAGO. “Senior Grade,— Crescent 15, Glut ha 6. Owaka 0, Clinton 0. —Junior Grade.—■ Crescent 14, CLitha- 5. Rou.ahapa defaulted to Milbum, WANGANUI. Marlb ■'rough 17, Wanganui 16. WELLINGTON. Athletic 7, Wellington 3. Ponekc 6, Marists 6. Pctone 19, Berhampore 9. Oriental 3, Hutt 0. OTAGO CENTRAL. Wanaka 6, Clyde 0. Tarras 9, Lowborn 3. Matakamii 12, Middlemarch 6. Ranfur 9, Dunstan Creek 0. JUNIOR REPS. CANTERBURY BEATS WELLINGTON, Tho junior representative Rugby match, Canterbury v. Wellington, was played at Wellington in wet weather and on a sopping ground. The first spell was very even, with no score. In tho second half Hall scored for Wellington, and Potter and Slattery scored for Canterbury. All the scores were the result of forward, play, the scorers being carried over the lino by sheer weight. Tho game ended: Canterbury ... 6 Wellington ... ... 3 LEAGUE GAME. AUCKLAND. City 35, Newton 3. Devonport 19, Richmond 10. Athletic 17, Ponsonby 9. CHRISTCHURCH. Woolston 7, Linwood 6. Hornby 6, Kaiapoi 0. Addington 6, Sydenham 6.

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