TOUR OF THE MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 7, 9 July 1923, Page 10

TOUR OF THE MAORIS

WANGANUI DEFEATED IN SPECTACULAR GAME.

(JI TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

WANGANUI, 7th July. The New Zealand Native team- defeated Wanganui by 15 points to 8, after a, fast,'open game. Tho. weather was fine and tho attendance about 5000.

Wan.gaiiui. were aggressive in the opening stages of the game, and within five minutes of tho start Collier, as the result of a passing run, got over near the flag., Shortly . after resuming Bellis was caught .off-sidewinder the bar. and Jacobs landed an,easy goal. The Natives' play improved towards the end of the.first spell, and at tho end of a dcs perato forward rush Walker scored an unconverted try. The epell ended with tta Maoris leading by 6 points to 3. ■ The Wanganui forwards played with fine dash at the opening of the second half, and as the outcome of a melee on the Natives' line Boss dived across; •Baddele'y converted." The Natives retaliated with spirited forward play, and at the end of a loose rush Bevan scored. Ueyer back play put the Natives in the lead, Jacobs passed to Potaka to M'Gregor, and the wing man, cutting in cleverly, beat three Wanganui backs and scored a, spectacular, try. ' The Maoris had the best of the concluding stages of the game.. Darby, the Wanganui fulloaok, failed ttf get tho line with a kick and Bell, after driving straight ahead, passed to Tureia, who dived across at .The Natives-were the'superior side on the full run of tho play, the forwards showing more dash than the local vanguard, while their backs at all times were safe. Gennadi, of the Native te™ played an outstanding game, and was the best forward on the ground.