MAORIS’ SPECTACULAR PLAY AT GISBORNE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 99, 18 July 1927, Page 10

MAORIS’ SPECTACULAR PLAY AT GISBORNE

POVERTY BAY BEATEN BARCLAY GIVES BRILLIANT DISPLAY (Special to THE SUN .) GISBORNE, Saturday. The Maori team which met Poverty Bay this afternoon was a vastly improved team to that which played against Auckland and Bay of Plenty. The inclusion of Lockwood and Barclay, who assumed control of the team, as lie did in France and England, made a wonderful improvement, the latter infusing into the backs a regularity and precision of movement which was formerly lacking. Lockwood, too, was prominent throughout, and a general remodelling of the team proved effective. Poverty Bay was without the services of its star five-eighth, Langlands, but fielded a strong team and kept the tourists active throughout. Poverty Bay’s early lead of eight points acted as a stimulant rather than a deterrent to the Maoris, who rattled on 17 points during the remainder of the first half. The Maori backs carried out some well executed movements, literally wearing down their opponents with piercing rushes. They resumed full of action, the forwards using their weight to advantage, but Poverty Bay showed the benefit of the spell and displayed renewed vigour. Half way through the spell the home team carried the score to 15 —20. The Maoris, by determined efforts, soon widened the margin and added a further eight points before the final whistle blew. The Maoris won by 28 points to 18. For the winners, Lockwood and Barclay were particularly aggressive, while the Gemmell brothers. Falwasser and Dr. Neera were also prominent. Carrington did some excellent kicking for Poverty Bay, converting three tries. MOTOR-CYCLE RACING STRATTON’S NEW RECORD Bp Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright SYDNEY, Sunday. In a motor-cycle match yesterday at the Penrith Speedway, Spencer Stratton, of New Zealand, won the five miles race in 3min 57 4-ssec, which is a record for the track.—A. and N.Z. BOXING IN SYDNEY WILLING BOUT DRAWN By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright SYDNEY. Sunday. At the Stadium last evening Jack Dillon and Mick O’Connor fought a draw. The boxing throughout was very willing. Dillon showed to more advantage in the early stages, but the American evened things in the later rounds. —A. and N.Z.