MAORI RUGBY TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1926, Page 15

MAORI RUGBY TOUR

EAST MIDLANDS MATCH THRILLING GAME ENDS IN DRAW. TOURISTS’ COMBINATION FAILS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 18. The Maoris drew with East Midlands with a score of 6 all. A hard and thrilling struggle at Northampton ended equally with two tries apiece, after East Midlands had held the lead for file greater part of the game. The Maoris territorially had more of the play, but the backs, though faster, finished badly, the combination repeatedly breaking down at critical moments.

There was little to choose between the forwards, but if the East Midlands were more often atop in the scrums, the Maoris were frequently dangerous in the open.

The Midlands opened brilliantly and deserved the half-time lead of 6 to 3. Fensome and Birch scored unconverted tries after Lockwood had opened the scoring with a try for the Maoris. In the second spell the Maoris played up desperately and for long stretches kept their opponents on the defensive, the latter’s great tackling and the Maoris’ poor finishing prevented equalising until close on time. Falwasser then crossed, following a good bout of passing. Had the Maoris’ midfield play been rounded off near the line they would have won, but the Midlanders’ gallant defence entitled them to the draw. Phillips made a good full-back, but Pelham was the soundest behind the serum, although Falwasser ran strongly and was difficult to stop. Olsen, Gemmell, Wilson and Haupapa acquitted themselves well amongst the forwards who, like their opponents, revelled in hard work. The team was: Phillips, Falwasser, Pelham, Lockwood, Kingi, Bell, Love, Olsen, .Dennis, Gemmell, Tatana, Rika, Nelson, Manihera and Haupapa.