MAORIS DEFEATED BY SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17878, 21 June 1926, Page 12

MAORIS DEFEATED BY SOUTH CANTERBURY.

(Special to the "Star.”) TIMARTJ, June 1 !>. A South Canterbury representative team defeated the South Island Maori team on Fraser Park on Saturday afternoon by 14 points to 11, in the presence of 3 000 spectators. The weather was ideal and the ground in perfect order. In the first half the local backs while fresh handled well and were a source of danger the whole time. As the game progressed. however, the Maoris combined better, and their fast, heavy backs severely tested the local defence. The tackling of the home team was poor, very often three men being emplc'yed to bring one man down. The Maoris had a decided advantage in weight in the forwards, hut on the daj r the local forwards held their gaining possession from the majority of

M’J:»ona.ld (Marlborough >, Phillips (Marlborough) and Robinson (Canterliury) played outstanding games, while 1 ing ancf kkk ing *0? the forwards, Stewart (Otago) stood out on his own, while Manihera, M’Donald and Manning Of the local backs, Strang and Mason were always in the picture, while most of the towards acquitted themselves well. South Canterbury’s backs were early on the move, and from a pretty rush A. Lawson crossed. Mason failing to convert. The Maoris were not combining well, the brightest of the play being provided by the home team. Rush after rush was initiated, Tate making a great bid for the corner, only to be trapped by Phillips. These persistent attacks kept the blues penned in their own twenty-five, and although they held the advantage in weight, the local forwards gained possession from most of the scrums. Going away on the blind side, j

latter fell, losing- possession. Play swung across the held, where J. M'Dona Id found an opening in the local defence, Phillips carrying on. only to be robbed of a try by Tate, who lined well. The blue backs got going, Te Tail sending out to Scott, but the latter short kicked, Fairbrotlipr clearing. M’Donald, Phillips and Robinson combined in what gave promise of being a dangerous movement, but the last-named dropped Bennett kicked for the corner and, following up, caught Robinson in possession. Gerard and Tate were also handy, the latter accepting a pass from the Lawson’s kick went wide. South Canterbury 6, Maoris 0. Almost immediately the greens were penalised and Phillips landed a good goal. South Canterbury 6, Maoris 3. The game for a period was characterised by bright Hashes of back play by the local team. The Maoris went off strongly in the second half, their handling showing a decided improvement. The South Canterbury forwards relieved the pressure, and from a scrum. Strang sent out to G. Lawson, who crossed near the posts, enabling Mason to convert. South Canterbury 11, Maoris 3. From a line-out Robinson dived over and Phillips converted. South Canterbury 11, Maoris S. The game now became exciting, and after a period of even play Phillips’ scored a great try, but failed to con-

vert. South Canterbury 11, Maoris 11. The Maoris had th© better of succeeding play, but from a penalty for off-side Strang- landed a great goal, giving the local team victory by three points. Mr I>. Marshal was referee.

ITINERARY OF MAORI TEAM FOR EUROPE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 20. The New Zealand Rugby Union has received advice from its representative in England (Mr O. Wray) that the following- fixtures have been arranged for the Now Zealand Maori team on its tour of France and Great Britain: — September 12 and 16— Preliminary September 1 —Lyons. September 22—Grenoble. September 2 6—-Marseilles. September 30—Narbonne. October 3—Toulouse. October 7-- Clermont-Ferrand. October 10—Paris. October 16—Somerset. October 21—Newport. - October 23—Swansea. October 27—Yorkshire. October 30—Harlequins. November 3—-Devon. November 6—Cardiff. November 11—Gloucester. No ve mbe r 13*—LI an ell y. November IS—East Midlands. November 20—London County. November 24—Hampshire. November 27—Leicester. 1 >ecetnber I—Lancashire. December n—Bordeaux. December o—-Limoges. December 12—Bayonne. December 1 fi—Pau. December 1 !•—Beziers. December 26—Paris. The Hampshire match has not been finally settled. Ordered Off in Auckland Match. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 20. A regrettable incident occurred in the senior Rugby match between Ponsonby and Marist Old Boys, which the former won by 23 to 6. Half-way through the second spell, Webber, of Ponsonby, was ordered off and Lucas, the All Black player and captain of the Ponsonby team, was compelled to follow shortly afterwards.

COMPLAINT OF ADVISORY BOARD. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Juno 20. That the Maori Advisory Board, which controls Maori Rugby, and the New Zealand Rugby Union, do not work altogether in harmony, was quite evident at a meeting of the board on Saturday evening, after the test trial match to make a first, selection of the team for France. There were present—Messrs IT. Love (Wellington), E. Parata (Dunedin) Rev Tamahori (East Coast), Captain’Pitt, Captain Hall and Mr G. Dansev (Gisborne). In addition, Messrs Henry Rum (Te Karaka) and J. Reedy (Ruatoria) had been invited to hear the discussion so as to report to their reSP Capta'in Pitt, who was chairman, asked Mr Parata to enlighten members as to the progress of the selection. Mr Parata said the matter had been taken out of the hands of the Advisory Hoard by the. New Zealand Rugby Union, which had taken upon itself to nominate two selectors, namely, Messrs Parata and A. Takarangi (Wanganui), ! leaving the Maori Advisory Board to ; add Mr Parata said he desired i a nomination from the Gisborne district. The announcement came as a thunderbolt to members, for it was considered that all the board would act as selecMr Da.nsey asked if Mr Takarangi was appointed, why wasn't he there to see the semi-final trial that day. After members had agreed that the position was very unsatisfactory. Captain Pitt moved:—“That Mr Parata, being the representative of Maori footballers on the New Zealand Union, be directed to bring under the notice of that body that the meeting- of the Maori Advisory Board takes very strong exception to the action of the' New Zealand Rugby Union in usurping the functions of the Maori Advisory Board, and we feei it. more owing to the fact that the New Zealand Rugby Union has not, and is not, contributing one penny towards the finances of the Maori tour to France nor in assembly expenses.’’ Captain .Hall seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Captain Pitt was chosen as third selector. Members of the board then discussed the managership of the team, to which position Mr I’arata has been appointed, and the opinion was expressed that, it was a most unusual procedure to appoint. a manager and then make him one of the selectors. It was made clear that there was no objection personally to Mr Parata. The final selection of the team for France, will be niade after the Maori Rose Row! hut (oh at. Palmerston North on Wednesday next.