Maori hold South Africa to tight win
Napier, September 7: The match Springboks v Maoris was played this afternoon in the presence of about 6000 spectators, and resulted, after a hard
game, in a win for the visitors by 9 points to 8.
Play was fairly even, but the South African lineout play to the backs was superior, and they were many times set in motion, but the defenders tackled well and kept them out, the spell ending with the score unaltered. The Maoris had the advantage of a substantially
helpful breeze, but their opponents' defence was very solid, added to which the Maori backs did not handle the ball well. Playing with the wind in the second spell it was expected that the South Africans would make it a runaway game, but the Maoris played with more vim, and fully held their own.
There was much excitement in the closing stages, as play fluctuated from one end of the ground to the other, but the South Africans were rather better than their opponents.
The South Africans' fine combination between the forwards and backs was the feature of their play, especially from the lineout. 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.F. Peake (Christchurch) was referee. — ODT, 8.9.1921.