RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19906, 28 September 1926, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MAORI TEAM IN FRANCE. FULLY EXTENDED BY LYONS SIDE. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright) PAEIS, September 26. The Maoris were hard put to it to maintain their unbeaten record. Until halfway through the second half the Frenchmen held their own, but towards the end the Maoris’ staying power told. They showed themselves superior in individual fitness, pace, and dexterity, but a captious critic might remark: ‘‘They tend somewhat to sacrifice science and back combination to a forceful game to gain ground at all costs.” The Maoris in the first half, notwithstanding continuous pressure, crossed their opponents’ line only once, Barclay scoring a try, which was unconverted. Frequently the Frenchmen were within an ace of scoring. In the second spell the game was even, but faster and more furious. Piquitral, snatching the ball from a lineout near the goal line, adroitly circled his adversaries and equalised the score with a brilliant try. Both sides redoubled their efforts. 'f'wice Barclay secured, found an opening, feinted, and scored by sheer speed. Lyons toward the end began to fall off perceptibly. Matene and Crawford added tries to the Maoris’ total, and Potaka converted these. Crawford, Barclay, and Bell especially distinguished themselves. Barclay was solely responsible for his three tries, while Bell was almost superhumanly active in movements. —A. and N.Z. Cable.