OTAKI SCORE OVER HUI MAI

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1946, Page 8

OTAKI SCORE OVER HUI MAI

HARD-FQUGHT MATCH Otaki and Hui Mai met at Otaki in the Nash Cup competitfon in fine weather but on a ground whch was slippery after the heavy rain of the week. In a hard-'fought game, Otaki won by six points to iive. The teams were: — Otaki: Huff, Gordon, Phillips, Taratoa, Hakaraia, Johnson, Enoka (.2), Gray (2), Ingles, Roiri, Enoka, Hakaraia and Gilbert. Manakau: Staples, Mather, Rangi whetu, Bevan, Ransfield, C. Corbett, Wallace, Benning, Fanning, Te Hiwi, B. Mather, Waters, Lewis and Campbell. The match was robbed of considerable interest on account of leading players of both sides playmg in the representative fixture. It was a hard-fought contrast oetween the forwards, the backs in the concluding stages being more in pi ominence than during the first spell. It is worthy of note that throughout the game less than a dozen free kicks were awarded, but, nevertheless, it was due to a breabh ihat Otaki won the game, a goal being kicked from ' a penalty. Tnere was diversion of opinion about "this, one umpire signifying a goal and the other the reverse, biit the referee , ruled in favour, he being in a position to give; h)s dict: Hui • Mai 'play^ysji.hjpweY^r,' were not satisfiedl -Mnn Yi;' • The game was st^rted/ Mai setting the ball.fih fiiotfbh/'aed for some time play was in midfield, till finally W. Johnson broke away to narrowly miss a score, going out at the corner flag. Otaki kept up the attack and Hui Mai accepted a force down to save. For the first five minutes Otaki had the advantage, but indifferent play allowed Hui Mai to attack. At this stage a Uttle rough play was noticeable. Hui Mai were awarded a kick at goal, but with no result. Then came a reverse -and Tom Gray was entrusted with a penalty kick. He put the ball nicely over to open ptaki's points. A hard forward tussle, with patches of good indiyidual play, which put Hui Mai on the attack, followed and Lander went across for a nice try, which Rangiwhetu converted by a good kick. After some patches of fast play among the backs of both sides the spell ended Hui Mai 5, Otaki 3. From the commeneement of the second spell Hui Mai were seen to advantage and a score seemed imminent, being prevented only by the solid- tackling of the Otaki backs. Otaki were next seen in a smart passing rush and Gordon just missed crossing the line. A free kick to Hui Mai relieyed the tension. Hui Mai frequently endeavoured ' to- get their backs away, but Otaki proved too strong in their tackling. This was followed by a free kick to Otaki, and Tom Gray kicked a goal, making the score in Otaki's favour, six points to five. Hui Mai stubbornly attacked for a time and Otaki were fortunate in keeping tfiem from crossing the line. The pressure was maintained, but another passing rush by Otaki transferred play to half-way, when severai unsuccessful passing rushes were attempted. It was while play was in midfield that time was called. Mr. Les. Smith was referee,