SPRINGBOKS BEAT MAORIS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1921, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS BEAT MAORIS

AN INTERESTING GAME. NINE POINTS TO EIGHT. MAORIS PUT UP BIG FIGHT. By Telegraph.—Press AssociationNapier, Last Night. The match Springboks v. New Zealand Natives was played this afternoon in the iresence of about 6000, and resulted, after i hard game, in a win for the visitors by ) poinst to 8. In the first spell Zeller scored from a jassing rush, in which the ball went to L'ownsend from the line-out and was candled by all the backs. De Villiers tailed with the kick. The Maoris a little later carried play to the visitors’ quarters, and Tapsell goaled from a free kick. Fhe play was fairly even, but the Africans line-out play to the backs was superior, md they were many times set in motion, >ut the defenders tackled well, and kept hem out, the spell ending with the score mattered. The Maoris had the advantage of a subitantially helpful breeze, but their oppon•nts’ defence was very solid, added to which he Maori backs did not handle the ball well. In the second spell, with the wind, t was expected the Africans would make i runaway, but the natives played with note vim, and fully held their own. lownsend, for the visitors, played a fine ialf-back .game, and repeatedly set his jacks in motion, but only on two occasions were they successful. From a neat movement the ball went from the lineout, and was handled by all the backs, and anally it went to Van Heerden, who crossed the line. De Villiers again missed the goal. Later Blake apparently marked near the visitors’ goal, but it was not allowed, and Townsend broke away and raced down the field, supported by Zeller. Reaching the full-back, he transferred to Zeller. The latter raced for the line, but was overhauled a few yards away by Blake, but the ball rolled infield. Townsend picked it up and dived ovet, though apparently pushed into touch before crossing, and the crowd demonstrated. The place kick failed. The Maoris rallied strongly, and set up a hot attack close to the Springboks’ goal. Here Garlick dashed over, and Tureia goaled, mal ng the scores 8 to 9. There was much excitement during the closing stages, as the play fluctuated from one end of the ground to the other, but the Africans showed up .rather better in the closing stages, and time was called with the position unaltered. The Africans’ fine combination between forwards and backs was a feature of their play, especially from the line-out. Their exhibition was much more attractive than in Saturday’s match. The Maoris put up a very creditable showing, their play indicating that with a game or two together they would be a hard side to beat. The backs fielded and kicked well, but lacked, effective combination in attack. The weather was fine, and the ground hard. Mr. J. T. Peake, of Christchurch, refereed.