THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS. Notes on Matohas and Tour. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) London, February 2.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 352, 20 March 1889, Page 3

THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS. Notes on Matohas and Tour. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) London, February 2.

Maoris v. Huddorsfield,

Tin; Huclderefield "Chronicle thus describes this match :—: — | Atelier kicked oil up hill and against the wind. The Maoris by some strong forwatd play, and after what appeared to be a palpable knock on, got the ball in front of the homo goal. Keogh getting hold fv-om a scrimmage got over, and McCauhland had no difliculty in landing a goal from the place. Kaye put in some clover pay, but a miskick by XV. .Sehoiield gave the vibitots a chance of sending on the ball, and a minor point resulted. Huddeisrieid managed to keep play in neutral territory for a short time, but Keogh getting hold ran finely down the field and passed to Ihimaira, who in turn re-transferied to Keogh, and he scored his second try, McCausland again doing the needful. A spurt by Huddersfield was replied to by the vit-itoi?, a drop at goal by McOausland forcing another minor point. A giand kick *by Richmond was neuti aliped by some fine passing by the visitors, but Richmond again got hold, and after running well passed to Brooke, who was not bt ought down until the visitors' 25 had been i cached. After some fine play by Lowrie, T. H. Eagland diibbled finely o\er the line, bub tho point was disallowed in consequence of a previous informality. A strong Maoii rush was stopped by Brooke ; and Kaye and Richmond relieved with some clever play, the latter and Brooke furthei improving matters by good run&. Keogh, however, again got off, and after running well passed to \V. Wynward, who got o\erthe line, McCausland's kick at goal failing. After some strong defensive play by Hutchinson, Brooke again lan well, and tho ball was then kicked across to the other side of the ground, where Kaye gob off, but he wa-> unable to break the Maori defence, and the latter once more taking up the aggressive, kept tho Hudder&field men on the defensive until half-time, when they j weie leading by two goals, one tiy, and i four minor points to nil. Archer returned I the kick-off but M'Causland got the ball up the field by a judicious kick into touch. Iluddersfield relieved by two or three free kicks which were awaided to them, and ultimately fiom one allowed in a good position, Richmond dropped a grand goal. Some good dribbling was exhibited by both sides, Huddersfield haying an advantage, but the Maoii backs defended well. A useful kick by Kaye sent the ball into touch near the vi->itorb' line and from a free kick for a knock on, Richmond kicked across the ground, and XV. Schofield, after some ex citing play, got over. Richmond took the kick and landed a goal. Shortly after this Hutchison was injured, and had to retiie, Huddersfield playing one man shorb for the rest of the game. Archer ran grandly down tho field, and the Maori goal was once more in danger, but after averting any score for some time, the \isitors lelieved their line by touching down. The visitors played up strongly, and some exciting play took place in the Huddersfield 25. From a free kick for a knock on XV. Wynyard dropped at goal, bub Richmond gained temporary relief by a run and a kick. The Maoris again pressed, howe\er, and from a silly kick by a Hudders>field man W. Wynwavd made his mark, but McCausland failed to land a goal and Huddersfiokl touched down. ' No side' was shortly afterwards called, the Maoris having won by two goal?, ouo try, and Hvo minor points, to t\\ o goals and one minor point. Teams : — IiuDDEKSHKU). — W. H. Eagland, back ; A. L. Brooke, F. XV. Richmond, and J. Winterbottom, three-quarter backs ; H. Atelier (captain), IT. Hutchinson, and F. Kaye, half backs ; P. Lowrie, J. Clifford, T. 11. Eagland, D. Haigh, G. Mitchell, W. Schofield, W. H. Schofield, and J. W. Thewlifs, forwards. Mr Jl. E. Culvert, umpire. Maokis. — Gage, back ; ]1. Wynward, W. Wynward, and E. McCausland, threequarter backs ; Ihimaira, Keogh, and Elliott, half-backs ; Ellison, G. Wynway, Taiaroa, A. Warbrtck, H. Lee, Karauria, Anderson, and G. Williams, forwards. Umpire, Mr A. Warbrick. Rekeuee.— Mr M. Newsome, Yorkshire County President.

Maoris v. StocUport. The "Manchester Examinor '' says of thi s match :—: — This match was decided at Cale Green, Stock port, on Saturday, and although the weather was cold and tln-eatening about 4,000 spectators assembled to witness the contest. Stock port secured the valuable assistance of Coulthwaite and Hotchkiss, who strengthened the home combination considerably. The Maoris placed a capital team in the iield, Madigan assisting his colleagues for the first time since his accident, received whilst playing against East Cumberland a couple of months ago. It was the universal opinion that the "New Zealanderd would have little difficulty in administei ing defeat to the Cheshire Club, but much to the agreeable surprise of the spectators Stockport more than held their own, and had it not been for the grand backing of Gage, the Maoris undoubtedly would have had to acknowledge defeat. A starb was effected by Potts kicking off, and play settled I down in neutral territory, where Williams broke away and was brought down in the home quarters. Madigan then sprinted along touch. The Maoris then had the i best of matters, until Ogden got possession, and amid a buzz of excitement dodged Madigan and looked like finishing up a brilliant piece of play by securing a try ; but Gage challenged his man, and brought him down at a critical moment. A series of scrummaces were then contested on the visitors' line, bub the Maoris gradually le-

lieved their position, yet only momentarily, a3 C'oulthwaite made a gallant effort from a line ou fc lo score, but was just frtifatrated. The visitors were then kept in a defensive attitude, until Keogh pub in a pnnb, and operations were removed to mid-field. The Maoris then, by short ttages, succeeded in menacing the rival defence, and Keogh passed to W. Wynyard, who secured a try without much exertion. McCausland undertook the place with success. Sbockpoit, by no means disheartened, went into (he game with desporato determination, and Coulthwaito was conspicuous with smart play. Taylor then effected a splendid run, and a minute later Ogden pas-ed to Dinglo, who gained a try amidst great enthusiasm Ankers was entrusted with the place, and landed a fine goal. Shortly afterwards half-time was called. On changing ends and resuming, Koogh passed to W. Wynyaid, who failed to grasp when at full speed, and a golden opportunity was lost. Tho home forwards then went away with a grand dribble, and Ilitson, following up smartly, picked up, and ran splendidly along touch, Gage finally arresting his progress. Some excellent passing by Ogden and Taylor wa3 then indulged in, which enabled Stockpoit to severely harass the opposing defence, but e\entually bhe Maoris completo'y reversed matters, and Keogh essayed a drop at goal, but only a minor resulted. The game then proceeded with much f-pirit, the ball travelling with gieat rapidity from one position to another. Ogden and Coulthwaite then were applauded for smart play, and Stockport at this period were having Jecidcdly tho best of matters. Amidst much excitement, Schofield then dribbled over the Maoiis' line, but Gage lushed up when a tsy was imminent and kicked dead. Stockport still presented a bold front, but the visitor? succeeded in keeping their lines intact, an-! ultimately the match was hailed a draw, both s'des being credited with one goal and one minor, a result which was received with much enthusiasm. Teams :—: — Stockpoib: A. Bruckshaw, back; F. J. Taylor, G. Ogden, F. Kitson, and T. Conlthwaite, three-quarter backs ; IT. Parratb and E. Wickman, half backs ; J. Pottsjcaplain), C. Schofield, J. Bruckshaw, XV. Bailey, J. Faulkner, XV. Dingle, J. Ankeis, and JS T . Hotchkiss, forwards. Maoris : 1). Gage, back ; B. Madigan, W. Wyny-rd, J. Warbrick (captain), and E. McCausland, threequarter backs ; W. Elliott and P Keogh, half backs ; A. Warbrick, T. Ellison, 3. Wynyard, G. Williams, I). Stewart, T. Rene, R. G. Taiaroa, and IT. Lee, forwards.