THE MAORI TOURING TEAM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3566, 23 November 1926, Page 4

THE MAORI TOURING TEAM.

DEFEAT BLACKHEATH BY 9 POINTS TO 5. PRINCE OF WALES AND MR COATES WITNESS GAME. London, November 20. The Maoris beat Blaekheath by 9 points to 5. The Prince of Whies was present and shook hands with the teams. Mr Coates also attended. Haupapa, although not playing, changed into football clothes and led the war dance. Rain all night had soddened the turf, resulting in a very greasy ball making handling most difficult. The teams were as follows: — Maoris: — Potaka, Falwasser, Pelham, Phillips, Kingi, Wineera, Love, Bell, Olsen, Dennis, Rika, Wilson, Tatana, Manihera, Robinson. Blaekheath: —King, Turner, Gir, Thomas, Devitt, Kendal, Bishop, Wynne, Young, Kemp, Chichester, Bonaventura, Ryder, Pratton, Gwyjie, Haslett, Brashier, Redham. The Maoris started shakily, with Blackford pressing for the Hirst quarter of an hour and once crossing the line, but the referee ordered a line-out. Tatana carried on a good run, but the pass was intercepted. The Maoris were again forced to play on the defensive; atlhough they made several breakaways, in one of which Falwasser got in a sixty yards’ run before he. was thrown into touch with several colleagues waiting to take the pass. Phillips started a Maori offensive from the scrum and continued attaekling untli a free'kick relieved the pressure on Blackheath’s defence. Love spoiled a chance to score hy hanging on to the ball. Young broke through the Maoris in vigorous style and passed to Pratton, who scored a try. which Kemp converted. Half-time found the scores: Blaekheath 5, : Maoris nil. Immediately play resumed in the second spell, the Maoris attacked with Robinson, Bell and Falwasser combining in an excellent dribble till Phillips picked up and beat several opposing players only; to be tackled when within inches of the line. Manihera secured the ball from the scrum, put down his head, and forced his way across. Potaka failed with the kick. The Maoris continued to press, but their passes went too often at random. Falwasser got over the line but the referee ruled that a pass from Pelham had been forward. Kingi dashed round the scrum and sent the ball on to Dennis, who scored, but Potaka was unable to add a goal. Devitt made a great run, but was grassed by Bell with a magnificent tackle. The Maoris’ better condition enabled them to continue their attacks, and Riki forced his way over be line. Potaka’s kick, way over the line. Potaka’s kick The Maoris’ victory was to great forward play. Bell, Kingi, Pelham and Love were also excellent. GREAT STRUGGLE IN LEAGUE GAME. Battley beat the New Zealand League team by 19 points to 17 in atrocious weather.