THE LAST MATCH. MAORIS V. SOUTHERN COUNTIES. THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 373, 1 June 1889, Page 3

THE LAST MATCH. MAORIS Y. SOUTHERN COUNTIES.

THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

On Wednesday afternoon the Maori team played their 74th and last match on English' soil, against a team dubbed by courtesy "The Southern Counties," at the Essex County Grounds, Leyton. The Rugby Union had some difficulty in getting up a team to take the place of the London Scottish, who " cried off" a day or two before the date fixed for the match, on account of their season being over, and having no team available. The grounds at Leyton are comparatively unknown to the footballing world, and the , train service thither being about as bad aa j it could be, the attendance was extremely poor, not more than 2,000 people paying for admission. The field itself is as good a piece of level *nirf as one would find anywhere, and was in splendid condition. At ten minutes past four the NewZealanders appeared on the field, but it was painfully apparent that for &ome reason or other the majority of the spectators looked upon them with something^akin to disfavour, and ohe cheers which generally greet the appearance of the Maoris were very feeble. This, 1 afterwards found out, was because a large number of the spectators had heard garbled reports of the row at Blackheath, on the occasion of the " All England Match." One gentleman, indeed, went so far as to inform me that " the English team left the field in disgust !" After about ten minutes' arguing and explanation, I managed, with the help of a prominent Southern player, to convince the gentleman in question that he w <s mistaken. The statement and itd subsequent refutation was overheard by several people round, and created quite a " Maori corner." The "kick off" advertised for 3.30 did not take place till nearer 4.30. This was in order to allow "city men" to get down in time for 'he match. The city contingent, however, wos conspicuous by its absence, and the spectators were mainly local fo ks, whose sympathies were, of course, entirely with the "Counties." The " Sporting Life" gives the following account of the match :—: — The seventy • fourth and the final match of the New Zealanders' tour was played yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, at the Essex County Grounds, Leyton, in the presence of some 1,500 spectators. For some reason or other, the team selected to oppose the New Zealanders was far from being a representative one ; in fact, but few of the many well-known Southern players were included in the team, and even those who were figured on the card failed to put in an appearance at the la3t moment. Uuder the circumstances, it was only to be expected that the colonists would win their final match, and such proved to be the case, as after a fast and at times somewhat rough game, victory rested with the visitors by three tries to a try. At 4.22 p.m. the visitors kicked off. Bate returned with a long punt, and Warbrick miscalculated the strength of the wind and sent the leather into touch. From the line out the ball was scrummaged into the Southern " twenty-five," when several loose scrummages ensued. J. Peanon and Cave at length relieved with a fine passing- run. The latter, however, was collared by " Smiler " on the centre line, and a very tight scrummage ensued theNew'Zealanders coming out the bettor. " Smiler " picked up the ball, and, after a good run, transferred to Warbrick. The latter, however, jvas collared in grand style by Bate, and a minute later on the samo player punted the ball right out of the ground. After some little delay the ball was sent back, and the Southerners going away from the line, H. L. Garrett put in a grand dribble before being forced out by Madigan. Aided by the wind, the Southerners worked the ball into the New Zealanders' quarters, and Bate punting, McCausland was compelled to touch down in defence. Again retaining the ball, Stamp put in a brilliant run, and transferred to Turner, who dribbled the ball past McCausland. Stamp then rushed up, and picking up the ball, got well in behind. Cave took the place, acompai atively easy one, but completely mulfled the ball. Restarting, Brodio and Stillwell took the ball well into the New Zealanders' " twentyfive," but the Southerners failing, the New Zealanders had a free kick. J. Pearson made his mark, but sent the ball into touch. A loose fcrummage ensued from the line out. " Smiler" picking up, transferred to Warbrick, who in turn paased to Elliott. The latter, howe-er, failed to get through, Bate and Cave doing him. From the 'ensuing scrummages Elliott got in. McCausland, however, failed atthe try, a rather difficult one. Three minutes later on the Maoris were again successful, Gage getting over the line, McCautland again taking the place, but waa unsuccessful, and when crossing over the visitors were leading by two tries to one. The play in the second portion of the game was of a, more open character, each pjoal in turn heing in danger, and it was only just prior to call of no sides that Warbrick got in on the extreme right for the visitors. M'Causland failed to convert, and the whistle blowing, the Maoris had secured their forty-ninth victory by three tries to one try. Referee, Mr J. Warbrick (New Zealai.d team) ; umpires, Messrs Williams and F. R. Simpson. The New Zealandors who played were McCausland (back), Gage, Madigan, and Lee (threequarter backs), Elliott, F. Warbrick, and "Smiler" (half-backs), Stuart, Anderson, Maynard, Rene, Ellison, G. Wynyard, Taave, and Taiaroa.

ANALYSIS OF 'TOUR. Tries scored by individual members - Koogh*, 32; Ellison, 26; W. Wynyard, 22 ; Elliott, 18 ; Williams, 15 ; D. Gage, 13 ; " Smiler," 8 ; Lee, 6* AY. -VVarbrick, 6 ; Karauiia, 5 ; Madigan, 5 ; fcjbuarb, 5 ; Arthur Warbrick, 5 ; Fred Warbrick, 5 ; G. Wynyard, 4 ; H. Wynyard, 2 ; McCausland, 2; Taiaroa, 2; Maynaid, 2; Goldsmith, 2 ; Anderson,' 1 ; Nehua, 1 ; Rene, 1 ; Webster, 1 ; Alfred Warbrick, nil ; Joe Wavbrick, nil. Dropped goals.—" Tabby " Wynyard, 7 ; McCausland, 2 ; Gage, 2. Coals from imrks, etc. — McCausland, 5 ; Ellison, 1. Goals from tries. — McCausland, 63 ; Ellibon, 6 ; Williams, 4 ; F. Warbrick, 1 ; Joe Warbrick, 1. "Keogh. claims 36 tries, but a careful examination of all available material gives the number as 32.