MAORIS BEATEN.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18889, 3 January 1927, Page 9

MAORIS BEATEN.

HARD STRUGGLE WITH PONTYPOOL.

FALWASSER BRILLIANT,

(BY CABLE—PRZS3 ASSOCIATION—COFTRIGHT.) (.AUSTRALIA* A XI) X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

Received January '2nd, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON, December 31. Pontypool beat the Maoris by 6 points to 5.

The Maori team was:—Potaka, 1 alwasser, Pelham, Graham, Wineera, Kingi, Bell, Olsen, Dennis, Manihera, Rika, Robinson, S. Gemmell, Matene (one missing), Pontypool attacked from the kickoff and forced Potaka to touch down. Play was rarely outside the Maoris half before the interval. After thirtyfive minutes, Cullis sold the dummy, passed several opponents, and then gave a clean pass to Richards, who scored in the corner. Pontypool continued to press in the second spell, almost monopolising the game for twenty minutes, when James intercepted a pass, tricked Potaka anrl transferred to Thomas, who scored without opposition. The Maoris now played with greater initiative and vigour. They launched repeated attacks, which met a stubborn defence. Falwasser was most brilliant, and often seemed certain to score, but was continually tackled by Ford, the diminutive Welsh full-back, who was playing a magnificent game. Falwasser eventually made an irresistible run, eluded Ford, and scored between the posts. Potaka's first kick was charged down, but his second succeeded. Onl.v bad luck prevented Falwasser from scoring again. Seven thousand spectators watched the game. N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM. ANOTHER DEFEAT. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION) (Received January 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 1. At Hull, Kingston defeated the New Zealand League football team by 20 points to 15. The New Zealand team was: Dufty, Brown, Kirwan, Davidson, Gardiner. Brisbane, Hall, Menaies, Parkes, Herring, Mason, Thomas, and Avery. Eight thousand spectators were present. The New Zealanders opportunism gave them a comfortable halftime lead, after Bielby had opened the scoring for the home side, Osborne converting. Then Davidson scored a magnificent try, Dufty adding a goal. > Ofhome kicked a penalty goal for Kingston, and Thomas and Brown, playing with resourcefulness, notched a try each, Dufty kicking unerringly. In the second spell, the New Zealanders' attack faded away. They were only dangerous once, and were then pulled up for off-side play. The home side made a remarkable recovery. Brigham and Austin scored tries, Osborne goaling one and equalising the scores. A desperate struggle ensued, the home team attacking most vigorously and the Blacks defending magnificently. In the last minute, Cook, by a terrific effort, broke through, arid Osborne added a goal.