HUI MAI EMERGE WITH FIVE POINT MARGIN

Chronicle (Levin), 24 June 1946, Page 8

HUI MAI EMERGE WITH FIVE POINT MARGIN

SENIOR CLASH AT OTAKI ; Despite a heavy ground and ball The senior clash at Otaki becween Hui" Mai and Rahui was fast and exciting, and kept spectators on their toes. Hui Mai eventually ran out the winners by 13 points to 8. The teams lined out on to the field as under: — Hui Mai: Page, Cook, Kangiwhetu, Bevan, Ransfield, Corbett, Wallace, Te Hiwi, McCaskin, King, Robinson, Lander, Heperi, Staples and Mather. Rahui: Lindsay, Dobson, Stackhouse, Webster, Jenkins, Jones, Hoone, Brough, Miles, Eales, Rainsbottom, Bailey, Stevenson, Branch and Hartley. Rahui kicked off and obtained the initial advantage. This was followed by a free kick and Stackhouse, from a comqaratively easy angle, missed the bar. Rahui maintained the advantage until He-pen put in a nice run, which was followed by a fine passing rush, in which Wallace, Corbett, Ransfield, Rangiwhetu and Qook went away in a spectacular passing movement. Cook raced for the line, and when within easy distance dropfifed the ball, thus missing what appeared a certain try for Hui Mai. Immediately aiter ne made another determined bid for the line, but was carried into touch in the in-goal. Up to this time Rahui were playiiig with more than their usual ' dash. Gradually the game worked into Rahui territory and from a free-kick for ofl-side play Heperi had an unsuccessful place at goal. Hui Mai kept up the pressure, mainly by smart piay by Mathar and Page. Lindsay and Webster put in some bright runs, while Hoone was ever alert to openings, but further off-side play gave Manakau the advantage, . and Heperi had an unsuccessful shot at goal. ^Stevenson, Branch and Brough then broke away, reeeiving strong support from the other members of the vanguard. Hui lviai in turn attacked and it was a difficult situation for Rahui, but from a melee Rahui temporarily forced Hui Mai back. Hui Mai came back. however, and only fine defensive work by the! Rahui backs saVed a score. Hui Mai .kept up the pres"sure, >.aild : Heperi liad another unsuceessf ul1 "Shot at goal. The kick was a good one, from well out, the ball dropping short. The Rahui backs essayed a passing rush which did them credit, but Hui- Mai, by strong defensive play, kept them from scoring. At this stage the ball was kicked out of bounds, landed in the top of a big tree and stayed there till a lad was sent up to retrieve it. Branch, Brough ^and Stevenson worked well, while Eales, Hartley, Bailey and Ramsbottom were toilers, but despite their efforts Hui Mai had the ascendancy. Rahui brought the game into Hui Mai's domain, where an infringement oceurred, and making the score 3 — 0 in Rahui's favour. " With tliree minutes to go to half-time play was hard and fast, but no further score was registered. The second spell opened briskly, Rahui getting the advantage. Then Hui Mai attacked and a shot at goal failed. Corbett attempted another pot, but was unsuccessful. Hui Mai kept up the attack and finally Cook weht oVer. for a good try near the post. Rangiwhetu easily converted. Hui Mai 5, Rahui 3. Then Cdrbett broke away, and, from sl free kick Rangiwhetu had another successful attempt at goal, making the. score Hui Mai 8, Rahui 3. Although Rahui were1 playing stubbornly and taking the offensi-ve spasmodically, a loose rush by Hui Mai saw King go over for a wellearned try. Rangiwhetu easily converted. Hui Mai 13, Rahui 3. Rahui essayed a scoring bid shortly after when Stevenson,;- who played splendidly throughout, broke away, evading player after player am while within a few yards of the posts was well tackled. He was just about to get rid of the ball when his opponent lost his grip, allowing Steventon to continue on his way to eross the line under the bar. It was a nice piece of solo work, which aroused enthusiasm. among Rahui supporters. Webster easily con-

verted. Hui Mai 13, Rahui 8. Play continued hard, both sidss working well. Staples and Heperi broke away with McCaskin in support, and a try was prevented by smart play on Rahui's part. Another free kick to Rahui saw Weosocr nave a kick at goal, but the bar was mis&ed. Hard play followed till the end of the game. Mr. F. G. Carrington was the referee.