HARD SENIOR TUSSLE

Chronicle (Levin), 1 July 1946, Page 7

HARD SENIOR TUSSLE

ATHLETIC BEAT WANDERERS A very fast and hard game, with glimpses of clean, open back play was witnessed at the Levin Domain on Saturday, when Athletic and Wanderers seniors met for their second clash of the season, which the former won by 14 points to 3. Wanderers were very unlucky on several instances not to score and the final result was not a true indication of the game. The match was 20 minutes late in starting, and as a result it did not finish till much later than usual. The most outstanding players for Wanderers were Hapeta, the fullback, who saved his side many times by his aggressive tactics and line kicking; Donald, the lialf-back, a little-known member of the team who played a model game; P. Winiata, who at five-eighths was responsible for several dangerous attacking movements; McCready, who played a forceful game on the wing, and Morgan, a forward, who was dangerous with his speed. For Athletic, the most conspicuous players were Galloway, a fiveeighth, who made several good openings, and who was always excellent in defensive movements; Blenkhorn, who gave his usual nippy display af half-back; Batten and Stevens, the two wingers, who, when the opportunity came, made the most of it and often improved their team's territorial position, and Corbishley, a gooa, solid, liardworking forward, who, together with Gordon and Fletcher. saved the situation on many occasions. The teams as they took the field were as follows: — Wanderers: Hapeta, Taylor, Seymour, McCready, Wehipeihana, P. and L. Winiata, Donald, Hobson, Milroy, Hooper, Lincoln, Meads, Morgan and Nepia. Athletic: Skiiton, Stevens, Hudson, Everton, Galloway, Batten, Blenkhorn, Lomas, Carkeek, Gordon, Corbishley, Bartholomew, Denton, O'Donnell and Fletcher. The Game Wanderers kicked off and quickly followed up on this initial advantage, but Athletic set the backs in pnt>n and took the ball back to the Wanderers' twenty-five. From a ruck on their twenty-five, Donald sent the ball to P. Winiata, who " .at his man and passed out to McCready. McCready made a bril-

liant run and finally put the ball into touch about two yards from the Athletic line. Donald received the ball from the resultant line-out and passed it on to P. Winiata, wno again beat his man and dived over the line. Donald's kick went wide. Wanderers 3, Athletic 0. Hard play set in and Stevens narrowly missed a try in the corner. Athletic forced the pace and the game was being played in the Wanderers' twentyrive until at last Everton received the ball, dashed for the line and then passed out to Batten, who was backing up. Batten fended his opposite off and scored in the corner. Galloway's good attempt failed as he allowed a little too much for the wind. Wanderers 3, Athletic 3. From then on until half-time, territorial advantage see-sawed between the twenty-fives, and with few exceptions, neither side could get within striking distance. Halftime came with the score still Wanderers 3, Athletic 3. After the brief respite, the teams again settled down ti/' hard play, with Athletic holding the territorial advantage. The next try came when Fletcher broke his way clear from a ruck and dived over. Galloway's attempt failed. Athletic 6, Wanderers 3. The Athletic forwards were packing hard and soon after Corbishley burst through and scored. Galloway, with an excellent kick, brought the total to Athletic 11. Wanderers 3. During a particularly fast movement by Athletic, Hapeta, after flelding the ball, feil flat on his face, but scrambled up and made a brilliant 50-yard dash before kicking. The final try of the day came when the ball was passed along the Athletic back-line to Stevens, who, with a burst of speed, raced clear and sccred a'oout eight yards out. A good attempt by Galloway failed. Athletic 14, Wanderers. 3. Mr. W. Williams was the referee.