MAORI TEAM DEFEATED BY CANTERBURY

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 128, 2 June 1919, Page 3

MAORI TEAM DEFEATED BY CANTERBURY

(n mEGF.AFß.—press association ) CHRISTCHURCH, Ist June. The match to-day between the Maoris .and Canterbury was very fast and most exciting, although Canterbury won by 16 to 6. Play surged continually up "and down the ground, and there was a wealth of variety which kept the excitement of tlio very large crowd of spectators up to fever point. Canterbury were rather lucky to win. . There was certainly not a ten-point margin of superiority. "Canterbury, however, made better use of their opportunities than the visitors. In the first spell a strong dribbling rush to the Maori line ended in Thompson scoring a try, which ' was not converted. Later on Barclay punted high, and the ball was badly missed by a Canterbury back, and Barclay, following up fast, scored for the Maoris near the post*. Jacobs missed the shot at goal.

The first spell ended with the scores even. At the opening of the second half the pace was a cracker, the ball travelling up and down the field. From a centrekick by Mnllins, Fitzgerald followed up and scored near the touch line. The attempt to goat failed. After a considerable period of exciting play, each side being in danger in turn, Thompson scored for Canterbury, and M'Leod converted. _ Canterbury, 11 ; Maoris, 3. Shortly afterwards a strong passing rush on the part of Canterbury ended in M'Leod scoring at the posts, and he converted the try.. This was followed by Hall scoring for tho Maoris, but Jacobs missed an easy kick. The game ended shortly afterwards in neutral territory with the score : Canterbury, 16 ; Maoris, 6 • " •