OTAKI SENIORS HAVE THEIR FIRST SUCCESS

Chronicle (Levin), 13 May 1946, Page 8

OTAKI SENIORS HAVE THEIR FIRST SUCCESS

bright game with wanderers The senior clash at Otaki between Wanderers and Otaki drew an interested erowd of spectators, who were rewarded with a bright contest which Otaki won by nine points to nil. Unfortunately, light rain fell at the - commenctment of the game and continued at intervals. This made the ball greasy, but, nevertheless, the handling was very creditable. It is safe to say that had the ball been dry the score in favour of Otaki would, probably, have been larger. As it was they handled the ball well. although at times should have kept it at their feet.. From the start Otaki went on attack, but the game returned to half-way owing to off-side play. Otaki forced the paee, but Hapeta, at full-back , saved by a judicious kick. However, Wanderers failed to make headway and a penalty saw Meta Johnsoni an old war-horse of several seasons ago, pilot the bali Detween the posts to open Otaki's aecount.. However, he failed with a second attempt shortly after despite the fact that it was an easy kick. Otaki continued on attack for some time and for twenty minutesWanderers had barely seen the half-way line. , Piay was interesting, however, and Arda Hakaraia brightened it more so by several dashing runs, receiving well direct- | ed passes from both W. and G. Johnson, two players who were consistent throughout. Receiving the ball from these movements Winterburn was enabled to make strong attempts to cross the iine, at times being within a few feet. Car-' keek also made vain attempts to cross. Meta Johnson, at full-baek, retired after a short period on the field of play. Edmunson, Heremaia and Winiata | tried hard to force Otaki back, but their repeated attempts" proved fruftless. Hudsorj, Kuiti, and Taylor were pl^yiiig/at % ■ disadvantkge, biilagjuliabie'?® 'secure the ball/ -tne Otaki" forwards forcing them b'aek. Hapeta, at full-baek had a lot of work to contend with, but performed splendidly. - The Otaki forwards kept the game going merrily and

while on attack Arda Hakaraia kicked a penalty goal, giving Otaki six points. Play was chiefly weil in i Otaki's favour for the remainder of the spell. Tht half-time score was Otaki 6, Wanderers nil. The second half continued to be of an interesting nature, and in this spell Wanderers put in several determined attacks, but the solid play of the opposiGion kept thfem from scoring. Occasionaliy, they pressed by good play. The game hovered for a time on the Otaki line but after a while, the home team forced it back, and in a determined attaCk Ingles, one of the hardest-working forwards in the loose, went over for a good try, which remained unconverted. Otaki 9, Wanderers nil. Both teams continued with determination, b.ut the score remained unehanged. Toby Gray, a noted player of a few years back, showed, sorpe Qf his old dash, while the colts, Enoka (2), Roiri, Hakaraia and Nicholls performed well. In the backs P. Hakaraia and Rikihana,. the latter replacing Johnson, played well. Combination by the baek division was good. Wanderers had a sound forward line, but unequal to the opposition on the day's play. Adams (2) , Winiata, Hobson, Milroy, Nepia, Morgan and Meads were the players in the vanguard. Mr. L. Smith was the referee and gave a good interpretation of the rules. , Wanderers deserve credit for the manper in which they took ttie field, their black .jerseys having thereon numbers which enabled spectators to follow the game more closely. It is an example Otaki might copy. This club, in their brown and black-hooped jerseys, are to be congratulated on turn-

ing out the team in eompieve uniform, but later in the season the uniform, and those of other clubs with dark colours, will hardly b, distinguishable in the fading light, and more so should the fields be muddy at any time. Ambulance men from St. John's were ready in case of emergency, and several times their services were called upon, Barrie* Needetl For the first game a barrier to i keep spectators from t.he field would ! have been an advantage despite the i fact that the attendance was small. .Had the weather remained firie it 'is hard to say what would haye iresulted for the second mateh. The j rain was the means of smding ! the rpajority of spectators to the | stand. It will soon be seen that a ! barrier is necessary. Whiie this is ! being erected it is haped the Otaki ■ Borqugh Council will see fit to fill I up the mudholes at the steps of the stand, while clubs should see. that the double gate is opened at the conclusion of play. On Saturday all | had to take their turn at the small turn-stile.