THE MAORI TOURING TEAM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3563, 16 November 1926, Page 1

THE MAORI TOURING TEAM.

DEFEATED BY LLANELLY BY THREE POINTS TO NIL. London, November 13. Fifteen thousand spectators witnessed the match between the Maoris and Llanelly. Llanelly was in great form. Threatening weather, with a high wind, spoilt the back play. Though the Maoris played with the wind in the first half, Llanelly did nearly all the pressing. Parker scored a try for the Welshmen after twenty minutes’ play, but it was unconverted. Falwasser alone among the Maoris utilised the wind. The play of the others was disappointing. When the Maoris attacked, the Llanelly backs tackled splendidly, especially .John Jenkins and Hay. The halftime whistle with the scoring unaltered, was greeted with great cheering. Assisted by the wind in the second half, Llanelly penned the Maoris on the line. Much, Tom Evans, and Ivor Jones being held up when crossing. The Maoris were disappointing, mainly because combination was lacking. Only great covering defence held Llanelly at bay. John was in fine form, and twice nearly dropped a goal. Time and again Llanelly beat the Maoris’ defence. It is recalled that the Maoris placed Pelham full-back instead of McDonald at one stage, but failed to stave off defeat, though they passed brilliantly in the last few minutes, and almost pulled the game out of the fire, the Llanelly full-back tackling Phillips bn the line, and so saving the game. Llanelly’s best players were John, Evans, Jenkins, Jones and Griffiths. For the Maoris Phillips, Falwasser, Love and Matenc were mostprominent. The Maori team consisted of McDonald, Falwasser, Pelham, Bell, Mete, Haupapa, Love, Olsen, Dennis, Wilson, Rika, S. Gemmell, Matene and Manihera. FR A NCO - BRITISH TOUR. November 18 —East Midlands'. November 20 —London County. November 24—Hampshire. December I—Lancashire.1 —Lancashire. December s—Bordeaux. December 9 —Limoges. December 12—Bayonne. December 1ft —Pau. December 19 —Beziers. December 26 —Paris. The Hampshire match has not been finally settled.