MAORIS V. YORKSHIRE. A Crushing Defeat for the New Zealanders.

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

MAORIS Y. YORKSHIRE. A Crushing Defeat for the New Zealanders.

The Leeds " Mercury " says : The recognised meeting between the Yorkshire County team and that of New Zealand

(better known as the Maoris), look place on Saturday, on the ground of the Trinitarians at Wakefield. There had been a pro\ious match between representatives of the broad-acred shire and the Maoris, but it was what might bo termed a scratch match, Yorkshire being represented on that occasion by what was justly designated as a second team, and it is not to be wondered at therefore that the Tykes had the worst of the encounter. Trie game which took place on Saturday was of a very different description, and whilst there is no gainsaying the fact that the Maoiis played a good game, at the same time they had but a poor chance when opposed to the crack Yorkshire contingent, who eclipsed their opponents at all points, of the game, and at the finish were hailed victors by 5 goals, 1 try, and 6 minor points, to the New ZeaLmders' 1 goal, 1 try, and 1 minor point. Consideiing the importance of the match, we must express our surprise at the meagre attendance, which we should think fell short of six thousand spectators, which is about onethird of the number that would ha^e gathered to witness the game had it taken place at either Bradford or Leeds. We aie at a loss to account for the sparse at tendance, but wo must say that those who were present were well rcwaided for all their trouble The ground was in splendid trim, thanks to the assiduous attention of the Trinity executive, and the result was thab the play was both fast and exciting throughout. There was some slight alteration in both teams, but it was of litbls importance, and punctually at the time appointed for commencing operati ns Jacketts started the ball for Yorkshire towards the town goal. Elliott failed to return, and Bradley then lan smartly to the Maoris' "25." HcCausland gained giound for the " Blacks " with a fehoit run to near the centre, when, from the ensuing scrimmage, Stadden got possession and put in a strong run, and then turned tne ball over to Sutclid'e, who passed to Biadley. The Goolo representative raced away to the Maoiis' line, where he transferred the ball to Holtres, who was we 1 up, and that player completed the effort in splendid style, planting the ball light behind the posts. The place-kick was intrusted to Sutcliffe, who landed the major point, amid enthusiastic applause. Fol'owing the re-start, the Maoris went oiT at high pressure, Keogh, Gage, and Madigan doing some very clever work. The last named made a very strong run from the centre, but was brought to grass by Bonsor just in the nick ot time, and the "All, White " scrimmagers. with an irresistible rush, carried play to the Maoris' quarter. Lowrie was then to the fore with a clever though short dribble, to which W. Warbrick responded with a strong run to tl.o centre. Lockwood and Bradley then did some serviceable kicking on behalf of the Tykes ; but the Maoris, who showed capital defence, continued to repel the attacks of their opponents in fine style. Ultimately a strong riuh of the " Blacks' " forwards, in which Karauria was specially noticeable, tian&feried play to Yorkshire's quarter-line, where Bradley rendered yeoman service by a daring " save." A penalty kink given to Yorkshire transferred play to mid-field. From here Ellison -made a short sprint to the Tykes' quarter-line, but smart work by Stadden and Bradley quickly removed the danger, and play followed at the centre. From a lino out in this vicinity Lowrie, Wilkinson, Jowetfc, and Holmes made off with the ball at their toes, and crossed tire Maoris' quarter -line, where Jowett gathered the ballnnd.comple'ed a clever bit of play by rushing over the line and getting* a trj\ Sutclitl:B_con- j /erted the point, to the delight of the spec- j tators. Bradley was the first to show up after the re-s'arb, a smart run by him being quickly followed by an equally good one on the part of Lockwood, which was the means ot Yorkshire taking up a position in close proximity to their opponents' line. The Maoris' backs defended grandly ; but Podd's reply to a huge kick by W. Warbrick forced them to concede a minor. Foliowing the drop-out the York&hiremcn again lesumed the aggieasive, and quickly forcedanother minor point. After the drop out Jones got hold, and lan the ball to the Maoris' " 25," where he passed to Jowett, who got through all opposition in grand style, and registered try number three for Yorkshire, Sutcliffe once more proving equal to the occasion. Directly after the ki"k-off Gage made a fair catch in a good position, and the ball was placed for McCausland, who made a brilliant attempt at goal, the ball ju?b going unJcr the bar, the Maoris thus registering their first point— a minor. This seemed to infuse new energy into them, and, playing with any amount of da«h and "go,"' they quickly gob to the Yorkshire line, and Ellison gob over close to the corner flag, the eftoit being cheered again and again by the spectators. McCausland took the place, bub failed to utilise it, and half-time arrived with Hie score — Yorkshire three goals and t\\ o minor points, to Maoris' one try and one minor point. Alter change of ends Ellison started qperations by kicking off", to which Bonsor replied with interest, pay settling down in the Maoris' half. Directly afterwards Bradley gob hold from a pass by Stadden, and with a quick left-foot drop he landed a magnificent goal, the foab being gieeted by round after round of cheers. The teams ha'i hardly settled down to work after the re start, before S adden dashed up the touch-line, and got over close to the corner flag. The pos tion was a difficult one, and Sutclifte. was unable to manage a goal thi.s time, though his shot went very near. The Yorkshuemen still he'd the advantage, and Bradley registered another minor against the Maoris by a long kick. The Maoris showed grand defensive play, bub could not repel their opponents. SutclHlo, by an attempt at goal, added another minor, to which was quickly added another ; and Lockwood, after a grand run, got right np to the line befoi c he was tackled by Gage. Following this Madigan ran strongly to the centre, where his progress was cleverly stayed by Lockwood. The Maoris made still further headway, a rush of the scrimmages, headed by Ellison and Karauria, carrying the game to Yorkshire's "25." Then followed the most sensational bit of play in the match. When in the Tykes' "25" Sutcliffe got possession and passed smartly to Lockwood, who raced off at top speed. Slipping by Madigan and Gage,*he ran straight for the Maoris' line, with the two last named in hot pursuit, but every yard that was covered saw the little International drawing farther and farther away from his pursuers, and, amid a scene of tijo wildest enthusiasm, Lock wood dodged by \Y. Wynyard (the Maori full back) and planted the ball behind the p-sts. The try was a magnificent one, and hilly equal to any we have ever seen scored, and the applause with which it was greeted was as unstinted as it was deserved. Sutcliffe onco again piloted the ball over the bar. The attack on the Maoris' citadel was still kept up, Lockwood, Sutcliffe, Stadden and Bradley on the one side, and W. Wynyard, Madigan, and Gage on the other, doing good service : but despite the strenuous exertions of the Maoris, they were forced to concede another minor. Ellison then made a splendid run to the Tykes' half, where he wad brought down by Lockwood, and a kick by Sulcliflb once caused Yorkshire to take up a position in

their opponents quarter. The Mao¥i«, however, made a final spurt, and by a series of strong rushes got back to Yorkshire " 25,' and Ellison got over n ear to the corner flat: just before call of time. McCauslancl, from a difficult place, landed the goal in tine style, and the game ended wi'h the score as stated above. Teams :—: —

YoitKSHiHE. — J. Doclcl (Halifax), back; K. E. Lockwood (Dewsburj), J. W. Sutclifl'e (Heckmondwike), and J. Bradley (Goole), three quarter backs ; F. Bonsor (Bj ad ford) (captain) and W. Stadden (Dewsbur3'), lialf backs ; J. Binks, F. Lowrie, and J. H. Jonea (Wakefield Trinity), H. Bedford (Morley), G. Jacket ts " (Hull), E. Holmes (Manningbam), H. Wilkinson (Halifax), D. Jowett (Heckmondwike), anil T. Eljjo (BaLley), forwards. Umpire, Mr Baion Kilner, Wakefield.

Maokis. — W. Wai*brick, back ; C. Madigan, W. Wynyard, and E. McCausland, tliree-quarler backs ; W. Elliott, P. Keogh. and D. G age, half backs ; G. Wynyard, T. Ellison, E. Taiaroa, H. Lee, G. Williams, W. Karauria, D. Stewart, and J. Kene, forward?. Umpire, J. YVarbrick. Referee, Mr Q. Rowland Hill, Hon. Sec. English Rugby Union.