MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19454, 9 October 1926, Page 11

MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

CENTRAL FRANCE SIXTEEN POINTS TO THREE. A. and N.Z. PARIS. Oct. 7. The Maori Rugby footballers to-day defeated a team representing Central Franco at Clermont Ferrand by 16 points (four tries, two of which were converted) to 3 (one try). There were 20,000 spectators. The visitors' team was: Phillips, Falwasser, Potaka, Lockwood, Mehe, Bell, Shortland, Haupapa, Rika, Dennis, Tatana, Crawford. Gemmel, Olsen and Stewart. The rival teams marched on to tho ground to the strains of " God Savo the King " and the " Marseillaise." Early in the game the Maoris demonstrated their superiority. From mid-field Falwasser after 15 minutes' play broke away in fine style. He tricked six opponents and scored in the corner. The kick at goal failed. The Maoris played up vigorously. Shortland made a tricky run and kicked when he was tackled. Ho then followed up and scored behind tho posts. He completed a spectacular performance by converting the try. Tho visitors could not be stopped. Another try was not allowed, but Lockwood ran through finely and scored behind tho posts. Shortland converted. The Maoris continued to press. Phillips narrowly missed dropping a goal. Tho Frenchmen then rallied. Hue broke away from a scrum in Franco's twenty-five and scored a try in tho corner. The kick at goal was not successful. The visitors attacked again and nearly scored. The French counter-attacked and forced the Maoris to touch down. In tho second spo.il tho Maoris redoubled their efforts. They swept down the field in a fine passing bout which resulted in Falwasser scoring a try in tho corner. Tho Frenchmen attacked vigorously, but the Maoris' defence was very sound. WELSH TROUBLE ENDED. AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. Australian and N.Z. Cahlc As.iocia'.ion. (Reed. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 7. Tho dispute between tho Maori footballers and the Welsh Rugby Union has been amicably settled. Tho manager of the team, Mr. Parata, telegraphed to Mr. Cecil Wray, the Now Zealand Rugby representative in London, saying that taking tho circumstances into consideration, also in view of the friendly relations with the Welsh people, the Maoris would play under Welsh rules and with Welsh referees. The Maoris never wished their friendship with Wales to be interrupted. They wished to keep faith also with the French Rugby Union, which was responsible for the tour. The decision has been hailed with delight in Wales.