OUR TOURING FOOTBALLERS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIV, Issue 39, 15 November 1926, Page 7

OUR TOURING FOOTBALLERS

TWO BEATINGS. LLANELLY BEAT MAORIS. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z Cabin Association LONDON. November 13. Some 15,000 spectators witnessed the match between Llanelly and the Maoris, when Llanelly won by three points to nil. Llanelly was in great form, although the threatening weather. with the high wind, spoilt thenback play. Though the Mapris played with the wind in the first half, Llanelly did nearly all the pressing, and Parker scored a try for the Welshmen after twenty minutes’ play, but it was unconverted.

Fulwasser alone, among the Maoris, utilised the wind. The play of the others was disappointing. When the Maoris attacked the Llanelly hacks tackled splentf.dly, especially John Jenkins and Hay. The half-time whistle, with the scores unaltered, was greeted with great cheering. Assisted, by the wind in the second half, Llanelly penned the Maoris on their line. Finch, Tom Evans and Ivor Jones were held up when crossing. The Maoris were disappointing, mainly because combination among them was lacking, only their great covering defence held Llanelly at bay. John was in line form. Twice he nearly dropped a goal. Time and again Llanelly beat the Maori defence. It is recalled that the Maoris played Pelham full-back instead of McDonald at one stage, but this failed to stave off defeat, though they passed brilliantly during the last few minutes and almost pulled the game out of the fii’e, the Llanelly full-back tackling Phillips on the line and so saving the game. Llanelly’s best players were John, Evans, Jenkins, Jones, Griffiths. For the Maoris Phillips, Falwasser, Love and Matene were the most prominent. The Maori team consisted of McDonald, Falwasser, Pelham, Phillips, Bell, Mete. Haupapa, Love, Olsen,' Dennis, Wilson, Ruka, S. Gemmell, Matene and Mauihera.

LEAGUERS WELL BEATEN IN SECOND TEST. LONDON. November 13. Everything seemed to combine to spoil the second League football test, which was won by England by 21 to 11 against New Zealand, at Hull. The visitors’ internal dissensions were especially unfortunate. The report that a number of players had contemplated returning home, coupled with their moderate play in the previous matches, had diminished the public interest in the team. Finally heavy vain to-day further reduced the gate, only 8000 being present. The New Zealanders scored in the first few minutes, Brown making a good run and passing to Petersen, who got across. No goal resulted. Loose play followe'd, after which fine passing by Rix, Gallagher and Wallace ended in Wallace scoring a try which was not converted. Sullivan got a penalty goal and then dufty missed one. An inside pass from Rix to Filde saw the forward score. A piece of smart work between Bowman, Burgess, Wallace and Thomas ended in the last-named crossing the line, Sullivan converting. At half-time the scores were;— England 13 New Zealand 3 The rain ceased and the sun shone when the All Blacks’ turn came to have the wind at their backs. They quickly attacked, Singe breaking through. He passed to Avery, who 'scored in a good position, hut Dufty’s kick went wide. The New Zealanders than fought hard, using their feet well. An unfair tackle when a man was not in possession enabled Gregord to kick a good penalty. The All Blacks continued trying, hard. Avery picked up from the loose, made a fine run and passed far out to the winger, who was fast enough to score at the corner.’ Dufty’s kick just missed. The New Zealanders were now only two points behind. The bull went over the line and Thomas reached it first, but the try was not converted. The All Blacks’ chances faded when W. Fairclough ran over for a good try, Sullivan kicking a fine goal. Nevertheless the visitors gave a far better display than in the first test, particularly the forwards, who used their feet well. Some of their dribbling was exceedingly good.

Singe and Avery were the most prominent. They had a stroke of bad luck in losing the toss and having to face the gale of wind and rain in the first spell. They also missed Davidson, who went off with an injured ankle, Cole replacing him. The All Blacks suffered by comparison behind the scrummage. Brown was the fastest three-quarter, but Ki’rwan and Dufty did well. , Gregory was safe at full-back. The visitors’ tackling was safe, and with a little more speed they might have won.

The English forwards played well, particularly Gallagher, Bowman and Thomas, while Parkin and Fairclough performed well. The half-back, Wallace Evans, made a line wing. Carr was .somewhat below form and consequently Rix had few chances. Sullivan was the soundest fml-back. The New Zealand team was:Gregory, Dufty, Kirwan, Davidson, Brown, Brisbane, Delgrosso. Henry, Devine, Herring, Petersen, Singe and Avery. RUGBY RULES. LONDON. November 11. The Imperial Rugby Conference in London coiwdpr<m +1 u> New South Wales and New Zealand Unions’ suggested alterations to the rules. It also heard the Dominion representatives on the subject of _ the formation of an Imperial advisory board including overseas delegates. Both