MAORIS BEAT BLACKHEATH

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12610, 22 November 1926, Page 8

MAORIS BEAT BLACKHEATH

PRINCE AND MR COATES WATCH HARD-FOUGHT MATCH

FORWARDS CARRY THE DAY FALWASSER AND PHILLIPS MISS SCORES, AFTER SOLO RONS The Maori forwards carried their side to victory over Blackheath, in one of the most important match'es of the tour.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, lu-traliau and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received November 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 20. The Maoris beat Blackheath by 9 points to 5. The Priqce of Wales was present at the match, and shook hands with the teams. Mr J. G. Coates, Prime Minister of New Zealand, also attended. Haupapa, although not playing, changed into football clothes and led the war dance. Rain all night had made the turf sodden, with the result that the ball was very greasy and most difficult to handle. The teams were: — Maoris. —Potaka, Falwasser, Pelham, Phillips, Kingi, Wineera, Love, Beil, Olsen, Dennis, Rika, Wilson, Tatann, Manihera, Robinson. Blackheath.—King-Turner, Devitt, Kendal, Bishop, Wynne, Young, Kemp, Chichester, Bonaventura, Ryder, Pratten, (Tivynne, Haslett, Brasliier, Rodham. BLACKHEATH SCORE FIRST The Maoris started shakily, and Blackheath pressed them for tlie first quarter-hour, and once crossed their line, but the referee ordered a line-out. Subsequently Rika broke away, and Tatana carried the ball on with a good run, but his pass was intercepted. The Maoris were again forced to play on the defensive, although they made several breakaways, in one of which Falwasser got in a run of 60 yards before he was thrown into touch with several colleagues waiting to take his pass. Phillips started a (Maori attack from a scrum, and they continued attacking until a free-kick relieved the pressure on Blackheath’s defence. Love spoiled a chance to score by banging on to the ball. Young broke through the Maoris in vigorous style, and passed to Pratten, who scored a try which Kemp converted. Halftime found the scores:— Blackheath 5 points Maoris nil

FINE DRIBBLING Immediately play was resumed in the second spell the Maoris attacked, Robinson, Bell and Falwasser combining in an excellent dribble till Phillips picked up the ball and beat several opposing players, only to be tackled when within inches of the line. Manihera secured the ball from a scrum, put down his head and forced his way across. Potaka failed with the kick. Blackheath 5, Maoris 3. The Maoris continued to press, but their passes too- often were at random. Falwasser got over the line, but the referee ruled that the pass from Pelham had been forward. Then Kingi dashed round the scrum and sent the ball in to Dennis, who scored, but Potaka was unable to kick a goal. I Maoris 6 points j Blackheath 5 points Devitt made a great run, but was grassed opportunely by Bell, wi*!T a magnificent tackle. The Maoris’ better condition enabled them to continue the attacks, and Rika forced : his way. over the line. Potaka’s kick, I however, was a failure. I Maoris 9 pointß f | Blackheath 5 points j The Maoris’ victory was due to i great forward play. Bell, King), Pelham and Love also gave an excel- ! lent exhibition. ! MAORIS’ TOUR WILL PAY FOR ITSELF (Sydney "Sun'' Cable.) LONDON, November 19. It is expected that the Maori football team’s tour will be a financial success, as the gates have been fairly good, despite the coal strike, though the Welsh gates were affected. The French Rugby Federation anticipates that the tour "will cost £12,000 to £13,000. The first half of the tour in France realised £4OOO. The games in England are expected to return £6OOO. Thus, with an improvement in the exchange rate the federation should make about £IOO profit, but much depends on tho final match.