United States 19-29 New Zealand Maori
Bateman blitz triggers Maori win
November 10, 2013
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park opened the scoring for the Maori All Blacks © Getty Images
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Two second-half tries from skipper Tim Bateman galvanised the Maori All Blacks into life for a 29-19 win over the United States in Philadelphia on Sunday (NZT). Bateman's brace boosted the Maori All Blacks after a lacklustre first half left them trailing 7-9 at the break.

His first came four minutes after the restart, off a sweet little inside pass from fly-half Ihaia West, and the second followed 10 minutes later as Bateman's pace and eye for the gap sliced open the US defence.

The Eagles battled back, and narrowed the gap to just three with five minutes remaining after No.8 Cameron Dolan barrelled over from a quick tap. But it took barely two minutes for Nick Barrett to restore the winning margin, the replacement prop on the end of the chain after the Maori found good field position and shifted the ball wide.

The Maori All Blacks had started well, picking up an opening try early on when scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park darted across from a strong line-out drive. Robbie Robinson added the extras, but that was it for the New Zealanders for the remainder of the first half.

US fullback Adam Siddal added three penalties to give the home team a 9-7 lead at half-time, although the Maori All Blacks were lucky it wasn't more after lock Joe Wheeler was sin-binned seven minutes out from the break.

It was the Maori All Blacks' second and final match of their North American tour, after they thrashed Canada 40-15 in Toronto on Monday.

© AAP

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