MAORIS DEFEATED

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12604, 15 November 1926, Page 11

MAORIS DEFEATED

MATCH AGAINST LLANELLY WELSHMEN WIN NARROWLY VISITORS LACK COMBINATION By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 14, 5.5 p.m.j LONDON, November 13. Fifteen thousand spectators witnessed the match between Llanelly and the Maoris. Llanelly was in great form. Threatening weather with a high wind spoilt 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 half-time whistle went with the score unaltered, and it was greeted with great cheering, Assisted by the wind in the second Half Llanelly penned the Maoris on their line. Finch, Tom Evans and Ivor Jones were held up when crossing. The Maoris were disappointing mainly because combination was lacking. A GOOD RALLY 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 Maori defence. The Maoris placed Pelham at 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 on the line, and so saving the game. Llauellv’s best players were John, Evans, Jenkins, Jones, and Griffiths. For the Maoris Phillips, Falwasser, Love and' Motene were most prominent. The Maori team consisted of McDonald, Falwasser. Pelham, Phillips, Bell, Mete, Haupapa, Love, Olsen, Dennis Wilson, Rika, S. Gemmel, Matene, and Manihera.