MAORIS BEAT FRANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 28 December 1926, Page 6

MAORIS BEAT FRANCE

CLOSING GAME. OF TOUR

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

PARIS, 26th Dec. The (Maoris heat France at Colombo iri the closing game of their tour by 12 points to 3. It was a poor game, lacking both dash rind-, confidence. -The Maoris Ijridcert over-much and their form was patchy. Bell, (Dennis, and Rika were the. best of the' team. The French forwards were good, but the bricks failed. France gained an initial advantage, scoring twenty minutes after the commencement. The try was not converted. Fast play tip rind down the field marked subsequent stages. Tlie Maoris scored their first try just before half-time, Manihera passing to the hacks and Barclay touching down. There was no- conversion, ahd the score at half-time was 3-3.

In the second spell, Falwasser made a fine run down the field and scored. Matene failed with the kick • 6-3. Rika Scored a third try, however, failing with the kick; 9-3. Then Barclay touched down after a .run of fifty yards, hut the referee decided that he had put his foot into toiich in evading the fullback. In the closing stages Barclay scored at, the corner, Matene failed to convert, making the final score: Maoris 12, France 3. The Maori team was: Phillips; Falwasser, Pelham, Barclay; Bell, Mete, \Viniera; Love; Olsen; Dennis, "Matene, Rika, Manihera, Robinsoiy Gemmed.