MAORIS ON TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 6

MAORIS ON TOUR

BEATEN BY LLANELLY WELSHMEN SCORE THE ONLY TRY. VISITORS LACK. COMBINATION. By .Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 13. Some 15,000 spectators witnessed the match between Llanelly and the Maoris, when Llanelly won by tJiree points to nil. Llanelly was’ in great form, although the threatening weather, with the high wind, spoilt their back play. Though the Maoris played with the wind iu the first half, Llanelly did nearly all the pressing and Parker scored a try for the Welshmen after twenty minutes play, but it was unconverted. Falwasser alone, among the Maoris, utilised the wind. The play of the others was disappointing., When the Maoris attacked the Llanelly backs tackled splendidly, especially John Jenkins and Hay. The half-time whistle, with the scores unaltered, was greeted with great cheering. Assisted by the wind in the second half, Llanelly penned the Maoris on their line. Finch, Tom Evans and Ivor Jones were held up when, crossing. The Maoris were disappointing, mainly because combination among them was lacking, only their great covering defence held Llanelly at bay. John was in fine form. Twice he nearly dropped a goal. Time and again Llanelly beat the Maori defence. It is recalled that the Maoris played Pelham full-back instead of McDonald at one stage, but this failed to stare off defeat, though they passed brilliantly during the last few minutes and almost pulled the game out of the fire, the, Llanelly full-back tackling Phillips on the line and so saving the game. Llanelly’s best players were John, Evans, Jenkins, Jones. Griffiths.

For the Maoris Phillips, Falwasser, Love and Matene were the most prominent.

The Maori team consisted of McDonald. Falwasser, Pelham, Phillips, Bell, Mete, Haupapa, Love, Olsen, Dennis, Wilson, Ruka, 8. Gemmell, Matene and Manihera.

* THE MAORIS IN FRANCE. LYONS A TOUGH PROPOSITION. BUT WIN COMFORTABLY IN LAST 15 MINUTES. (Written for the News.) Lyons, Sept. 27. The Maoris played the fifth game of their tour of France to-day, at the municipal stadium at Lyons in the presence of about 15,000 spectators. Heavy rain during the night had made the ground somewhat greasy, and further showers during the game made things uncomfortable for players and spectators alike. The stadium, which completely surrounds the ground, is very fine, though only a small portion is covered.

The New Zealanders won by 17 points to 3, but on the day’s play there was not a difference of 14 points between the teams. The Lyonnais team is the best the Maoris have met so far in France, and, on the other, hand, the Maoris gave their poorest exhibition to date. Little combination was shown by either team, practically all movements being attributable to individual play. Of scrums there -were many, but the ball was seldom hooked by either side. The Maoris played a very heavy pack, but the Lyon vanguard overshadowed them until the last 15 minutes. The blacks did not play with their usual dash, and many times failed to follow up the kicks. This fact, combined with the harassing tacties of the Lyons pack, resulted in the Maori backs getting few opportunities, though such that came their way were used to little advantage. It was only the continual backing up by the players that kept the Frenchmen out on more than one occasion when poor tackling had let them through. Phillips, at full-back, saved his side on several occasions, though he has played better games. His handling today was not sure, though the slippery nature of the ball would account for this. Barclay was the best back on the field, and in spite of the faet that he was practically starved on the wing, he scored three tries.

Herbert .Kingi made his first appearance in France, and quite justified his inclusion. It was refreshing to see him tackle low and hard in a game of poor tackling. Shortland made the best of the chances that.came his way, and no fault can be found with his defence. Bell worked hard at wing forward, and wasted no time in getting on to the opposition when they had possession. The only forward who might be men ; tioned is S. Gemmel. who played a tireless game. It might be mentioned, however, that the play of the vanguard was considerably affected by the rulings of the referee, and that they were distinctly at a loss what to do on more than one occasion.

The forwards were the strength of the

Lyons team. They played a dashing game, the international Piqurial being especially prominent. Etcheberry also played well. The backs took part in many passing rushes, but the movements lacked penetrating power, and the player’s still have to learn many of the finer points of the game. Devaureix and Girardot played best, the former playing a brilliant defensive game. At half time the Mayor of Lyons presented Barclay with a beautiful silk banner as a souvenir of the visit of the Maoris to Lyons, The Maoris entered the field at 3 p.m. sharp, the whole 28 players turning out for the “haka,” which was photographed for the “movies.” The Maoris kicked off, and a couple of scrums followed almost immediately in the Lyons half. The Lyonnais rearguard attempted a passing rush in their own 25, and Bell dribbled through to the line, but the ball went into touch close to the goal line. The ball went out to "the black backs, but Wi Neera slipped, giving relief to Lyons, and a free kick helped to take play to the Maoris’ 25. A free kick at goal by Orfidan went close, but Phillips touched down. It was now raining heavily, thousands of umbrellas making their appearance round the stadium. Up and down play followed until the ball went over the French line, Robinson and two blue players making desperate efforts to touch down, but the ball went dead. Lyons forced almost immediately twice in succession, but bad fumbling by the Maori backs, and a glaring act of obstruction by a Lyons man, let the blues right over the line, but Phillips won in a scramble for the ball. Soon afterwards J. Gemmel was assisted from the field, his cousin Sam replacing him. The Maoris returned to the attack, but could not get over. However, a weak clearing kick sent play to the other side’ of the field, Potaka, Kingi and Barclay handling in turn. The winger fended off Sauteret and scored. Matene failed with a difficult kick. Maoris 3 Lyons 0 .

Battle here replaced Laretch, who limped off. The rain had now stopped, and a period of ragged play followed, Barclay, Bell, and S. Gemmel being prominent in individual efforts. From a serum in the Maoris’ 25 Orfidan made a good attempt at a drop kick at goal, and half-time sounded soon after.

On resuming, Falwasser replaced Lockwood. It was now raining hard again. The Maoris attacked immediately, Shortland sending the backs away, Falwasser passing back to Potaka, but Lyons forced. Lyons made a dangerous attack, but Phillips managed to dribble to touch. Then amidst the indescribable enthusiasm of the spectators Piqu-> rial got over from a scramble. Orfidan failed with the kick.

Play continued without incident for a time till Giradot failed to find touch with a clearing kick. Barclay fielded, and, running 35 yards, threw himself at Devaureix as he tackled him, and scored a good try. Potaka made a good attempt at goal. Maoris 6, Lyons 3. Potaka, Kingi and Bell were prominent on further movements, but Devaureix and Giradot .were playing great defensive games for Lyons. The Lyons forwards got offside, but Matene failed at goal. A good passing rush by the French backs was stopped well by Falwasser, and Potaka and Wi Neera carried play back to Lyons’’ territory. Barclay picked up 15 yards out, and, evading Etcheberry and Durand, again threw himself over his tackler, Giradot, to score his third try. Potaka missed an easy kick. Maoris 9 Lvons 3.

Piay of a scrambling nature followed, and 15 minutes before time Bell received a heavy kick iu his face and had to be carried off. He was not replaced, it being after half-time, but the French players now appeared to be tiring, the Maoris obtaining another try owing to bad play by Giradot. He ran with the ball instead of kicking to touch, and was tackled by Potaka close to the goal line. Falwasser obtained possession and passed to Kingi, who passed to Wi Neera, the latter scoring in the corner. Matene missed the kick. Maoris 12, Lyonnais 3. S. Gemmel made a good run. but hia pass went astray. A good kick by Wi Neera carried play to the blue 25, where the giant Crawford picked up, and, bollocking his way through the Lyons players, scored under the posts, with two Frenchmen hanging to him. Potaka converted, and the game ended shortly afterwards with the score: Maoris 17, Lvons 3.

On the day prior to the match at Lyons the team paid a visit to the Berliet motor factory, and on the Monday paid a very interesting visit to a silkmanufacturing works.