MAORI TEAM.

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1926, Page 5

MAORI TEAM.

DEFEAT YORKSHIRE. One Of Their Best Displays. (Reed. Oct. 28 al. 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, Out. 27. There were I'iy.e thousand spectators nt the Rugby match in which the Maoris played against Yorkshire, and they witnessed a hard-fought game, which was thoroughly interesting throughout. The weather was calm, but cold. The ground was in good order. The Maoris won by seventeen points io nine. The teams were:— Maoris.— Pelham, Falwasser, Potaka, Phillips, Meti, Bell, Kingi, Barclay, Stewart, Manning, Rika, Ilaupapa, ’J’atana, Manihera, Wilson. Yorkshire. — G. Harnell, E. Rycroft, F. Roberts (ca.pt.), 11. Moore, K. Adams, H. Fletcher, H. Thompson, 1. E. Whitefield, J. Eastwood, E. Blacker. E. Winkley, ,W. Chatcroft, E. Wrighton, H. Proctor, 11. Wilkinson. The. Maoris played one of the best games of their tour, the team working together much better both in the back and in the forward divisions. A .Tea Lure of the game was tho pace of the M.aoris and tho brilliant dribbling of Yorkshire. The spectators’ continuous

cry to the home team was f< T’eet! F’eid!’’ To this tho Yorksliircmen responded, giving a fine display in this branch of tin* code, which has seldom been seen in New’ Zealand.

Pelham continues to improve at fullback, and to-day he fielded the ball and tackled his man faultlessly. He also showed good judgment in kicking, and in setting the three-quarters going. Barclay showed a complete return to form, and others who may be mentioned are Potaka, Phillips, 8011, Kiiigi, Stewart. Tatana, and Rika, though all played well. Among the Yorkshiremen, Roberts and Fletcher were good behind the scrum, while Whitefield and Proctor showed up among the forwards. Yorkshire opened strongly, and within three minutes Roberts cut in well and allowed Proctor to score a simple try, which Eastwood converted. The Maoris al this time were • scratchy, while the locals proved dan- j serous In several passing rushes, Pel-1 Imm saving brilliantly four times, by tackling throe times, and then by tak-1 jug the ball off the forwards’ feet and finding touch. Phillips gained possession from a cross-kick, but he was I brought down after a good forty-five | yards run. Chatcroft was off the field ( for five minutes owing to an injury. j

After this the Maoris bucked up, an 1 I took Ju? ploy :o the fonnty’s line, but.’ their forwards over-ran the ball. A rame period followed, until Bed spoiled a good cnance by knocking on close to the line. After thirty-five minutes’ nlay, the, Macri forwards hooked the ball. Kingi passing to Mate, who punted, and Potnka then snapped tlie leather up, and c.iawing the full back, passed to Falwasser, who scored. Pot aka’s kick failed. Pelham next showed up in some en terprising play, an l then Phillips drib-1 bled, and, kicking hard past Harnell, raced Thompson for the ball and touched. down. Potaka was aga.’n un successhi 1 with the kick. The half time scores thus were: Maoris 6, Yorkshire 5. On resuming, the Maori forwards, by bustling play, placed themselves on the attack, Phillips almost getting over after Potaka and Mate had handled the ball. A free kick enabled Phillips to add three points with a kick from the touchline. —Maoris 9, Yorkshire 5. A brilliant Yorkshire dribble saw the ball go dead. Then Bell knocked on into Fletcher’s hands, the latter making a good run. East wood then passed to Adams, who ]»otted a good goal amidst immense enthusiasm.

The scores were now nine all. The Maoris, however, were not to be denied. After a period of loose, fast play, Bell snapped up the ball and passed to Stewart, who, just as ho was tackled, threw a long pass to Barclay, close t to the line, the captain crossing. Phillips, however, was unable to add a goai. Maoris 12, Yorkshire 9. The Maoris maintained their pressure, and Potaka tried to force his way over the Hue. The forwiTrds did get across after a loose rush, but a five yards scrum was ordered. Yorkshire hooked the ball, but Barclay’ intercepted Fletcher’s pass, and, nurjing in. he scored his second try, Potaka kicking an easy goal just before time was called, and the game thus ending: — Maoris 17, Yorkshire 9.