MUD SCRAMBLE AT MANAKAU

Chronicle (Levin), 29 July 1946, Page 7

MUD SCRAMBLE AT MANAKAU

RAHUI SENIORS BEAT OTAKI Never before in the history of Ihe oldest residents of the distrtct . has football been played under worse conditions than at Manakau on Saturday, when Rahui seniorr and Otaki were forced to play theii game there, the Otaki Domair. being classed as totally unfit to be madn use of. This will probabh continue. at least until the Otaki Borough Council sees fit t,o have V drained by the laying of field nix^e* or some such process, to get rid bf -urplus water. The Manakau around for the greater part wa'. ' enkle deep in mud and slush, and

after a time players were almost unrecognisable. However, both sides set out to obtain a win, there being a certain amount of rivalry which is natural when two teams from the same town rneet. The contest, despite the ground and the drizzling rain, provided good sport, and at times fine play was witnessed. The game was interesting, and was of an even nature, Rahui ultimately proving the victors by nine points to six. Rahui forced play from the initial kick--off and over-anxiousness on the part of an Otaki forward, gave Rahui a shot at goal.. Webster, by a nice kick, sent the ball neatly over the bar. Rahui 3, Otaki nil. Only three minutes, ' of play had elapsed. Rahui kept up the attack for a time, often penning Otaki on their line. Then carhe a reverse and Oiaki attacked. but despite hard play Rahui held them at bay. Then up-and-down. play followed, . the bait being first in one hali, then the other, with odds in lavour of Rahui. Morrison, who donned Otaki's colours, had .an • unsuccessful kick at goal, while : another free kick shortly after was awarded to Otaki, and Gray, by a fine kick, sent the ball between the : uprights, thus equalising the score. Hard forward piay followed, wnile ; the backs essayed passing rushes. . out repeatediy the greasy ball beai ,iiem, and attack was often turned ' into defence by loose forward play." i Otaki forced play from the onset of the second half, playing a more I combined game, but penalties were ifrequently . given against them. j Occasionally, some good passing i rushes were noticeable, while for1 wards on both sides worked will- : ingly and stubbornly. In one oi ilhe passing rushes W. Johnson showed his pace by beating the opposition to score a well-deserved try. Gray's kick at goal was a good one, the ball hitting the post to ' rebound into the field of play . ! Otaki 6,..Rahui„3i a.lMore up-andn down play followed, both sides J fighting hard for further scores. One came for Rahui when Hoone, ! jy smart play, crossed the line tc • make the points six-all. • Webster | narrowly missed the bar. After a ' reries- of breaches by both" sides, ' Rahui secured a free kick while m i Otaki's territory, and again Webster sent the . ball over the crossj bar. Rahui 9, Otaki 6. Interesting ! play continued to the end of the i spell, with Otaki making frantic i efl'orts to score. On more than one occasion Rahui were forced back, out by sound defensive play prevented a further score. Mr. C. E. Wiseley was the referee.