MAORI RUGBY FOOTBALLERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19495, 26 November 1926, Page 11

MAORI RUGBY FOOTBALLERS

DEFEAT BY CORNWALL.

CLOSE GAME WITNESSED.

CROWD CHEERS THE VISITORS

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

• ('.Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Nov. 24

The Maori Rugby footballers were today defeated by Cornwall at Falmouth by 6 points to 3. There was a record attendance. The weather was fine and the ground dry. The visitors' team comprised Phillips, Barclay, Potaka. Falwasser, King, Pelham', Shortland, Bell. Olsen, Dennis, Wilson, Rika, Tatana, Manihera and Robin-

A draw would have been a more fitting result of the fast, open game. The Maoris gave a magnificent display. Their forwards were excellent in the loose, but the sturdy Cornish pack played havoc with the visitors in the finer work, with the result that the latter made little progress up the field. The passing of the Maoris was too mechanical and often let their opponents in. In the first half the visitors fairly bested their opponents and were frequently applauded. Barclay, Falwasser and Robinson were all pulled down within inches of the line. Barclay scored from a melee, picking np ihe ball and dashing over, Potaka failed to convert. Cornwall rallied splendidly in the second half. Their forwards broke through on several occasions from Jago's cross-kicks. Harry scored a try which evened the scores, but Jago failed to add the major points. Five minutes later Jago broke away and puntod lightly over Phillips' head. He then followed up and scored- The try was not converted. The Maoris redoubled their efforts, Barclay, Potaka. Falwasser and Robinson being prominent, with excellent efforts, but all were grassed on the. eve of scoring.

Cornwall made a desperate effort to increase their lead, but the superb tackling of the Maoris prevented thorn. The Maoris received an ovation when they left the field.