ATHLETIC TOO STRONG FOR RAHUI

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1946, Page 8

ATHLETIC TOO STRONG FOR RAHUI

GOOD GAME AT OTAKI Combination was the deciding factor in the senior game at Otaki between Athletic and Rahui, which the former won by 21 points to nil. Athletic won the game on their co-ordination and on good allround football. Their forwards secured the lion's share of the ball, a severe handicap to Rahui, and the backs exploited it to the full, their handling being crisp and cJean despite a 'greasy ball. Rahui played- a solid game, but withour an even share of the ball was outciassed. When it did come their -way, they used it to the 'best advantage. The teams lined out as follows: — Athletic: Skilton, Everton, Hudson, Stevens, Galloway, Batten, Bond, Eccles, Lomas, Fletcher, Corbishley, Bartholomew, Denton. O'Donnell and Palmer. Otaki: Lindsay, Dobson, Hoone. Duncan, Webster, Jones,- O'Brien. Brough, Branch, Raika, Eales, Bailey, Miles, Stevenson and Rams"oofctom. Rahui set the ball in jnotion, and it was followed by bright passing by the visitors' backs, thus placing Rahui on the defensive, but by hard play the ball was taken to half-way. Bond then set his backs in motion, the ball going to Batten and on through the hands of Galloway. Hudson and Stevens. It was a nice piece of play which was only stopped in good style by Webste.r>. who,"' wjth DunQan/s ~ assist--ance/'agkin tfansferredv'play to the half-way. Bond once more set his 'backs in motion, but Branch and Ramsbottom prevented the ball being carried into Rahui's territory. Smart play by Batten saw Athletic on the attack, but Bailey and Ramsbottom stopped the. onslaught, and in turn trans.ferred it to half-way. Rahui pressed into Athletic territory where an infringement gave_g place at__goai, but the ball dro.pp.ed short ana ihe game was q.ulck,ly back to halfway. For some time Athletic had by far the better of the game, and Bond again opened' up play, sending the ball to Batten, to Galloway, to Hudson, to Stevens, who was well grassed by Lindsay when in a dangerous position. Ramsbottom and Stevenson, later ^.ssisted by Brough, Raika, Eales and Miles, placed Athletic on their mettle. The latter, however, were equal to the oecasion, and Lindsay was again called upon to sa.ve. From a loose rush Hudson _weht over fo-r a well-deserved try," and although an easy kick Galloway failed to add the major points. Spurred with this success Athletic kept up. the attack, mainly by tne efforts of Batten aild Galloway. Denton then broke ~away, with Fletcher and Corbishley assisting, but again Lindsay saved. Ramsbottom 'was again conspicuous, while in tqrn Galloway sec.ured possession of the ball and made- a determined ruru, for Rahui's line. Loose play saw Jones and Webster prominent a,nd Athletic were forc- j ed back, but it was ' short ' lived. Shortly after Athletic were. awarded a free kick and Galloway kicked, a nice goal from well out. Athle.ti.e-i 6, Rahui nil. .j . Athl;e.t\c were soon on the atfack, ahd again Lindsay had to save. Everton then made a good run, and Rahui replied with a determined forward rush, most of th,e. forwards taking part. Galloway made another of his fine rans, dodging

through and evading several players who made half-hearted attempts to tackle him. A free kick to Otaki rebounded, enabling Hudson to secure possession of the ball to go over the line for a welldeserved try. Galloway raised the flags. Athletic 11, Rahui nil. The score was on the call of time. Rahui played better in the second half, their determined rqshes gaining them considerable territory, and on one oecasion" Skilton was hard pressed but saved in good style. Stevenson and Ramsbottom were the means of keeping up the attack," but Rahui, caught off-side, lost considerable ground by the kick that followed. Two more free kicks to Athletic gained them ground, and Bond, Batten, Galloway and Everton were seen in a passing rush. While. on attack O'Donnell scored a good try from a forward rush and Galloway goaled, bringing Athletic's score to 16 points. Shortly after O'Donnell again scored for Galloway to con- : vert. Athletic. 21, Rahui nil, ,v i On resuming play Lindsay ywas. 'hard pressed, but emergehii^ith flying colours>, but after this \Veak tackling b.y Rahui let Galloway rush through to within fee.t of the line. Up and down play followed, Rahui doing quite well against a very strong opposition. The game ended with Athletic victors by 21 points to nil. Mr. Les Smith was the referee.