MAORIS v. NEWPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1926, Page 5

MAORIS v. NEWPORT

A KEEN GAME. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, October 21. Intense excitement prevailed in Newport for the Rugby football match against the Alaoris. Despite heavy rain which made the ground heavy, fifteen thousand people assembled to see the struggle. The crowd sang Welsh national songs. Among ' the spectators were many school children who had been given a half holiday in honour of the visitors.

Th e Alaori team were: Pelham, Phillips, Potaka, Falwasser, Barclay, Bell, King, S. Gemmel, Dennis, Stewart, Rika, Crawford, Alatene, Haupapa, and Alaniheira. The Newport team were: 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 Alaoris. Newport, not to be put 'off, early resumed the attack, and were awarded two free kicks in handy positions, out Everson’s kicking failed. The Alaoris remained on the defence, and were often compelled to find the touchline. Then Falwasser made a thrilling dash, but his pass was knocked on. The Newport backs handled the ball well, until Andrews kicked oyer the line and the Alaoris forced. The home side held the upper hand iu the first spell, and they did the larger share of the attacking. However, in the second half, v,ie Maoris greatly improved, and they dominated the game most of the time. They almost scored from the kick-off, but Stock relieved by finding th e touchline. From a scrum beneath the Newport posts, kalwasser followed up Potaka’s punt, but he over-ran the ball. Next, Bell picked up and centred. Dennis fielded well and passed to Phillips, who was pulled down when only inches from the line. Then Alatene failed with a penalty kick. The Alaoris thrilled the spectators by a brilliant short passing bout wljich a knock-on spoiled. 1 hereafter the visitors continuously attacked, Barclay being prominent in various movements. He also took a mam, but he dropped the ball. Newport made a fresh assault, Crawford finding touch when the Welshmen grew dangerous. He also took the ball from a throw-out, and made a line run to the centre line, where he kicked, no colleague being at hand, The play swung to and fro in extremely fast work. Ihe final spectacular incident was when Phillips tried for a goal in the last minute, the ball just shaving the posts. A draw is a fair indication of the run of the game. The Maoris are still weak in tackling and touch finding, enabling Everson repeatedly to field their kicks and return into touch well up field. Both sides made many mistakes in attack, owing to the greasy, ball. The packs played most solidly, but the Welsh pack excelled in dribbling. Crawford, Alanihiera, Rika and Dennis were the most prominent forwards. Bell and Potaka worked hard, but the wings had few chances. Stock and Griffiths were the most dangerous of the Welsh backs.