MAORI RUGBY TEAM

Evening Star, Issue 19388, 23 October 1926, Page 21

MAORI RUGBY TEAM

THE NEWPORT MATCH A DRAWN GAME Pres# Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 21. The Maoris drew with Newport, there being no score. ...... Intense excitement prevailed tor the match, and, despite steady rain, which made the ground heavy, 15,000 persons assembled to see the struggle. Before the game commenced the crowd sang national songs. Among the spectators were many school children, who were given a half-holiday in honor of the visitors. The Maori team was as follows: — Pelham, Phillips. Potaka, Falwasser, Barclay, Bell, King, S. Gemmell, Dennis, Stewart, Rika, Crawford, Matene, Haupapa, and Mamhera. The Newport team was:—Everson, H. Davies, Stock, Bailey, Andrews, Dowdell, Griffiths, Roche, Tom Jones, D. Jones, Phillips, Collins, Friend, Roberts, and Herrara. Both sides were accorded a rousing reception. ■ , Play opened fast, both rearguards participating in passing rushes. Newport pressed, but a couple of free kicks gave relief to the Maoris. Newport, not to be put off easily, resumed the attack, and were awarded two free kicks in handy positions, but Everson s kicking failed. . , . The Maoris remained on the derensive, and were often compelled to find the touch line. Then Falwasser made a thrilling dash, but his pass was knocked on. The Newport backs handled the ball well until Andrews kicked over the line, and the Maoris forced. , , . The home side held the upper hand in the first spell, and did the larger share of the attacking, but in the second half the Maoris greatly improved, and dominated the game most of the time. They almost scored from the kick-off, but Stock relieved by finding the touch line. ■ From a scrum beneath the Newport posts Falwasser followed up Potaka’s punt, but he overran the ball. Next Bell picked up and centred. Dennis fielded well, and passed to Phillips, who was pulled down inches from the line. Matene failed with a penalty kick. The Maoris thrilled the excited crowd by a brilliant bout of short passing, which a knock-on spoiled. After this they continually attacked, Barclay being prominent in various movements. He also took a mark, but dropped the ball. Newport made a fresh assault, Crawford finding touch when the Welshmen grew dangerous. He also took the ball from the throw-out, and made a fine run to the centre line, whore he kicked, no colleague being at hand. Play swung to and fro, and was extremely fast. A final spectacular incident was Phillips’s potting at goal at the last minute, the ball shaving the posts. A draw is a fair indication of the run of the game. The Maoris were still weak in tackling and finding touch, enabling Everson repeatedly to field their kicks and return into touch well up the field. Both sides made many mistakes in attack owing to the greasy ball. The packs played most solidly, but the Welshmen excelled in dribbling. Crawlford, Manihera,_Rika, and Dennis were the most prominent of the forwards. Bell and Potaka worked hard, but the wings had few chances. Stock and Griffiths were the most dangerous of the Welsh backs. RESULTS TO DATE. Points

Somerset ... Won 21 8 Newport ... Drawn 0 0 Summary.—Played 9, won 7, lost 1, drawn 1; points for, 160; points against, 53.

Against. Result. For. Against, Burgundy Won 27 3 Alpes Won 3i 6 Aziznon Won 29 8 , Lyonnais© ... Won 26 9 ■' Languedoc Won 8 5 Basques Won 11 8 Central Franc© Won 16 3 Park Lost 9 11