FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3556, 30 October 1926, Page 2

FOOTBALL

MAORIS DEFEAT YORKSHIRE, BY 17 POINTS TO 9.

London, October 27.

Five thousand spectators at the Rugby match of the Maoris against Yorkshire, witnessed a hard, fast game, thoroughly interesting throughout. The weather was calm, but cold. The ground was in good order. The Maoris played one of the best games of the tour, the team working together much hotter in both back and forward divisions. The feature of the match was the pace of the Maoris as a team, and the brilliant dribbling of the Yorkshire vanguard. Yorkshire opened strongly, and within three minutes Roberts cut in well and allowed Proctor to score a simple try, which Eastwood

converted. After thirty-five minutes the Maori forwards hooked the ball, Kingi passing to Mete, who punted. Potakn snapped the leather up, and drawing the full-back, passed to Falvtasser, who scored. Polaka’s kick failed. Pelham showed up in some enterprising play. Then Phillips dribbled and kicking hard past Harnell, faced Thompson for the ball, and touched down. Potaka again was unsuccessful vfith the kick. The half-time scores were: Maoris 0, Yorkshire 5.

On resuming, the Maori forwards’ bustling play placed them in the attack, Phillips almost getting over after Potaka and Mete had handled the ball. A free kick enabled Phillips to add' three points from the touch line. A brilliant Yorkshire dribble saw the ball go dead. Then Bell knocked on into Fletcher’s hands. The latter, making a good run and punting. Eastwood passed to Adams who potted a good goal, amidst immense enthusiasm. The scores were now nine all, but the Maoris were not to b.e denied. After a period of loose, fast play, Bell snapped up the ball and passed to Stewart, who just as he was tackled, threw a long pass to Barclay close to the line, and the captain crossed. Phillips, however, was unable to add a goal. The Maoris maintained the pressure and Potaka tried to force his way over the line. The forwards got across after a loose rush, but a live yards scrum was ordered. The Yorks hooked the ball, but Barclay intercepted Fletcher’s pass and scored his second try, Po.taka kicking an easy goal just before time was called, the game ending:— Maoris 17 Yorkshire 9