MAORIS BEATEN

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 53, 26 November 1926, Page 13

MAORIS BEATEN

IN CLOSE MATCH WITH CORNWALL A STRENUOUS CONTEST by Telegraph.—Press association. COPYRIGHT. (Rec. November 25, 5.5 p.in.) London, November 24. The Maoris played Cornwall at Falmouth, in fine and dry weather, and were defeated by 6 points to 3. A draw would have been a more fitting result of the game, which was fast and open. The Maoris gave a magnificent display, and the forwards were excellent in the loose, but the sturdy Cornish pack played havoc with the tourists’ finer work, resulting in little progress upfield. The Maoris’ passing was overmechanical, and they often let their opponents in. In the first half the Maoris fairly bested their opponents, and were frequently applauded. Barclay, Falwasser, and Robinson were, all pulled down within inches of the line, but Barclay scored out of a melee, picking up and dashing over. Potaka failed to convert. . Cornwall rallied splendidly m the second half, and the forwards broke through on several occasions. From Jago’s crosskicks Harry evened the score, but Jago did not convert. Five minutes later Jago broke away and punted lightly over Phillips’s head, followed up, "and scored, but the try was not converted. The Maoris redoubled their efforts. Barclay, Potaka, Falwasser, and Robinson were prominent in excellent efforts, but all were grassed on the eve of scoring. The Cornwall representatives made desperate efforts to increase their lead, but the Maoris, by. superb tackling, prevented them doing so. The Maoris, on leaving the field, received an ovation. There was a record attendance. . The Maori team consisted of Phillips, Barclay, Potaka, Falwasser, King, Pelham, Shortland, Bell, Olsen, Dennis, Wilson, Rika, Tatana, Mamhera, and Robinson.