THE MAORIS ON TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1926, Page 5

THE MAORIS ON TOUR

CHAMPION COUNTY BEATEN HARD FOUGHT GAME AT BRADFORD .MAORIS 17 V. YORKSHIRE 9. (From Our Own Correspondent With the Team.) London. Nov. 4. The Maoris match against Yorkshire County was looked upon as one of the hardest of the tourists’ tour of England and Wales. Yorkshire is at present the champion county of England, and the team against the Maoris included ten of the members of last year’s winning team. The match to-day was played at Lidget Green, Bradford, before about 5000 spectators. The weather was calm, cold and overcast, while the ground was in good condition in spite of the heavv fall of snow over the weekend. The Maoris won by 17 points to 9 points, after a fast, hard, and, for the most part, exciting game, and the score fairly indicates the merits of the respective teams. Many mistakes 'were made by both sides, and many opportunities lost, but in spite of this almost all the points were tho result of the ability of the players to profit by mistakes. The Maoris to-day played one of their best games to date. The team as a whole appeared to be much better balanced, and the improved combination both back and forward was distinctly noticeable. Of the Maori backs the honour of the best game to-day must go to Pelham, who played full-back. The Aucklander it will be recalled, was not selected as a fullback, and played his first game in this position against The Alps at Dijon. He again appared in this position after Barclay’s injury at Narboune, and since his arrival in England has played in each of the four games. Since his first promising appearance at Dijon he has steadily- improved, and to-day lie gave a very fine exhibition. His fielding and tackling were sound, and at times brilliant, his kicking to touch was done with good’ judgment as also were his efforts to get his three-quarters going. Baa«»ny returned to his best form. He worked tirelessly at wingforward, his following up being notable, and also his quickness in seizing opportunities. Of the other players the names of Bell, Potaka, Phillips, Stewart, Rika, Tatana and Manihera might be mentioned. Phillips played a very fine game. Kingi, at half, was very strong on defence, but was a little slow in getting his passes away to his backs. The strength of Yorkshire lay in their vanguard. These players quite held their own with the Maoris in the tight work, and their brilliant dribbling rushes were a treat to watch. This branch of the game is, of course, little exploited in New Zealand, and its value was clearly demonstrated to-day, provided there are backs behind capable of finishing off the movements when necessary. This was were Yorkshire failed. Apart from Thompson, Harnell, Fletcher and Roberts, their backs were very poor, and at times the passing was shocking, Roberts worked hard all through, while Fletcher’s enterprise on attack would have given Iris side the victory had he been better supported. The" referee, Lieut.-Col. J. Brunton, of Northumberland, was one of the most satisfactory •at’j os .tapuu paLvjd oxnq otp