ATHLETIC WINS FAST GAME WITH HUI MAI

Chronicle (Levin), 12 May 1947, Page 4

ATHLETIC WINS FAST GAME WITH HUI MAI

The hardest and fastest game seen this season on the Levin Park Domain w&s that on Saturday when Athletic, the _ 1946 champions, met and decisively beat Hui Mai, the 1946 runnersup. The score of 14 points to nilwas really no indication of the type of play. Although a typical backline ' day, the rearguards hardly saw the ball. Play was largely confined to the two hardworking packs, and Athletic's win was due to the fast-breaking forwards and their speedy following up. ' Both teams were unlucky on' several occasions . in not scoring. Infringements of the rules were plentiful and numerous penalties were awarded. The following were the teams: — . Athletic: De Castro, Henley, Hensen, Lancaster, Hudson, Galloway, Batten, Corbishley, O'Donnell, Denton, Powell, Taylor, Fletcher, Carkeek and Preston. Hui 'Mai: Page, Cook, Wallace, Saunders, Ho'rn, Taylor, LewLS, George, Lyver, McCashin, Roy Robinson, Ray Robinson, Lander, Corbett and Hodson. McCashin was later replaced by Wehipeihana. From the kick-off Athletic forced the pace and carried the ball" to ' the >H.th Mai? jtweptyr'flve. Hard" ruckihg ' took place' and Athletic, who are now showing some of their old form, made several determined bids to score. Page, the Hui Mai full-back, drove them back time and again with good line kicks. From a line out the ball went to Hudson, the Athletic centre, who broke through but lost possessioh. He was then held by a Hui Mai player and a penalty was awarded Athletic about one yard outside the Hui Mai twenty-five and six yards infield. De Castro had no difficulty in opening Athletic's scoring account. Athletic 3, Hui Mia 0. Two minutes later Athletic were awarded another penalty in practically the same place and again De Castro had no trouble. Athletic 6, Hui Mai 0. Hui Mai then took the initiative and cracked on the . pace. A penalty was awarded them on the Athletic twenty-five and five yards in, but Cook's attempt fell short. Corbishley took the ball and kicked for the line, the ball going out between half-way and the twenty-five. Hard forward play followed and another penalty attempted by Cook failed. Corbishley kicked back ,sup field, where Cook was waiting. He gathered the ball in, ran a few yards and tried a field goal, but the ball screwed and Athletic forced. Following the kick-off, a scrum was set down on the half-way line. Athletic hooked and the ball came out to the half , Batten, who passed on to Galloway. He transferred to Hudson and on to Lancaster, the winger, who made. a brilliant 30-yard dash to score three yards out from the corner flag. Galloway's attempt failed. Athletic 9, Hui Mai 0. Hui Mai came back with some determined rushes, but ■ they always broke down on the Athletic line. The fast-breaking Athletic forwards had Hui Mai Worried at all times and Page, the Hui Mai full-back, was kept busy. He saved his team on many occasions, and his line-kicking and positional play were excellent. Half-time came with Athletic still forcing the pace.- . . *- Several good passing moves by the backs of either side wefe seen during the second spell, but these all faded out when the players were; but a few yards ' from the scoring line. Soon after the start of this spell Hui Mai suffered a severe loss when their captai'n, McCashin,' was forced to retire with an injured shoulder. He had been playing a good game and had kept the pack together. His place was taken by "Buek"- Wehipeihana. More penalties were awarded, but neither side was successful with the kicks, The Athletic forwards again forged ahead with the ball and Went to the Hui 'Mai line. A ruck formed and .the ball came out to Galloway, who dived over Under a heap of Hui Mai men. Galloway c'onverted his own try,f #

Athletic 14, Hui Mai 0. Athletic were extremely unlucky soon after when Batten made a break and riearly got over. The whistle blew soon after for time with the score still Athletic 14, Hui Mai 0. Mr. F. G. Carrington was the referee.