THE MAORIS IN LANCASHIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 27

THE MAORIS IN LANCASHIRE.

A BRILLIANT RECORD.

, A writer in the Athletic News thus refers to the tour of the Maoris in Lancashire : — ," The New Zealand', football team have come very successfully through a heavy week, having played four matches in six days and won them all. Last Monday they fulfilled an engagement with the Manchester Club at Whalley Range, and although they had not their best fifteen engaged they won rather easily by two goals and a try to a try. Manchester had to get a little outside assistance, Manwarihg and Anderton (Salfprd), Prince and Lodge (Broughtonj, and Horley (Swinton) appearing in the well-known stripe's. Manwaring showed only in-and-out form at full back, the best display of the outside division being that by F. M. Hobbs, who, I understand, is a son of Captain Hobbs, of lawn tennik fame. The young man kicked uncommonly well, did not miss a tackle so far as I could see, and made some exceedingly good dodgy runs. For the Maoris, M'Causland was safe at full back, and Lee made a good display at three-quarters, although he was no better than W. Wynyard. "Smiler," who has improved wonderfully of late, was effective with his rushes, and, one of the best bits of play during the afternoon was when Lee got his try from Elliott's pass. The i Manchester try was the result df some very pretty passing among the full | strength of the forward team, On Wednesday jthe New Zealanders visited Walkdep, and won' by a goal and a try to a try. There was another try which the Maoris thought they J ought to have had, but the referee 'thought I otherjwise, and they had, of course, to bow to his decision. The locals played well, but they I might have caught it a lot warmer had the .Maoris played their full strength. Gage, W. Wynyard, Elliott, Madigan, Keogh, and Ellison were all away at the Manchester theatrical sports. On Thursday, the black jerseyed brigade, accompanied by their band (which may be engaged on application to Mr J. R. Scott), journeyed to St. Helens, and had a big reception there. The visitors were sent round by way of Liverpool to St. Helenfe— a little joke'ori the part df the railway officials' that was not at all' appreciated by M'Causland and his men. Hbwever v they were in plenty of 1 time for the match,' which^Was a'well-contested' one in the first £alf. " Then Hurst, of Leigh, who was assisting St. Helens, twisted his ankle and had to retire.' ' This enabled the Maoris to commence the rjibbing-in process. Ellison and " Smiler " eaoh scored a try, and David Gage 1 dropped a very [smart goal.' Elliott and Gage also got over the line, and in the end the Maoris won by two, goals and three tries to nil. The visitors were well entertained by the St. Helens' officials, and visited the theatre and a brewery. Allen, Foreman, and Lund played a rattling game for the "Saints." Rain fell heavily on Saturday to spoil jthe Salford game, but the straggle causdd' a lot of interest and excitement, and it certainly was one of the best games I have seen for a long time." ' ' "One of The team" writes :—" The selection ] committee managed to pick a very strong team to. cope with the Manchester; men. In the afterhoon, however, two of our backs (Keogh and Madigan) quarrelled with Mr Scott and' refused to play; so that at the last minute several alterations had to be made.> The rebels, as I may call them, mutinied because they were unable to borrow money from Messrs Scott and Eyton. It was certainly a most contemptible act on their part. I wonder where the team'B reputation would have been now if we 1 had had much of such conduct: During the game the two men went about among the spectators informing them that our boya couldn't win, as ,fA«y 'were not playing; and, wdrse still, they betrayed to our opponents our weak points. We nevertheless won easily by two 1 goals and one try to' one try. ' Smiler;' Lee,' and Ellison were] the scorers, 'Mao' placing the goals. The forwards played a grand game. Amongst the backs Dave Gage, H. Wynyard, ♦ Tabby,'" • Mac/ and Elliott were most prominent. Our opponents had a regular -country -team in the field, including Anderton ; (Salford), Pennington (Rochdale Hornets), Prince (Broughton), and others. Our victorywas gall and wormwood to 1 Mr Pat Keogh. M'Causland plaje'd a splendid game at full back. The attendance was only moderate, the gate amounting to only £50." • ,The Maoris also defeated York, and they were very anxions to have another game with England, being of the opinion that their forwards were by this time far and away ahead of the Englishmen.