FOXTON'S COLOURS LOWERED BY OTAKI-RAHUI

Chronicle (Levin), 21 July 1947, Page 4

FOXTON'S COLOURS LOWERED BY OTAKI-RAHUI

" "Foxton seriiors suffered their first def eat of the season- at the hands of Otaki-Rahui. The' standard of' play was very high and the game probably the most exciting seen in Otaki this season. From ihe opening whistle there was not a dull moment, and finally Otaki-Rahui won by six points to five. Otaki get the ball in motion and were 'sodn on attack, but it was short lived and there was a period of up and down play between ' the twenty-fives. Then Foxton 's backs got under way, Ley sending the ball cleanly to Evans. Slowly Otaki gained ground, but a «further passing rush saw Foxton again on attack. Obstruction play allowed Otaki' to clear their line. Taratoa, the dtaki-Rahui fullback, was often hard pressed. Thpn Gray, RamsbOttom and Winterburn, three' of Otaki-Rahui 's best for,wards, broke away, but Foxton's defence was equal io the test, and they came away on ihe offensive. $xda Hakaraia, playing his" first game this season, cleared nicely. Then a ffgift" try came Foxtb:n?s way'. A foolish pass near Che line allowed Betty to intercept the ball and go over the line under the bar for a simple try. It'was quick work oii the scorer's part. Cooper had no difficulty iii coiiverting. Foxton 5, Otaki' nil. • Tipie and again Foxton made the pape wiljing, ' bitt Otaki jvere npt' to be denied. Tom Gray', a player with great dash, went over the line for Otaki, but could not convert from a difficult angle. Foxton" 5,' Otaki 3. The home team set out to overtake tlie* visitors' score, bpt Hoxton bapks; " playfng femgrkaMy " fine fdotball with dashing rushe's by the forwards, gave Otaki no respite. The Opaki backs were strong on ,def§n'ce and * prevented ' Foxton spofing. Then came one of the brightest and best bits o'f play of .the ' game. ' While Oraki was on

attack, Laughton .Hakaraia sold a! fine dummy to leave .the Foxton ! backs standrng ^rid scpre amidst ! Wild excitement. Gray-missed the uprights after a splendid kick. Further sparkling play by Otaki saw Ramsbo'ttom and Winterburn travelling upfield, but the fine defensive play of Foxton prevented a spore. The spell ended with Foxton attacking. Although territorially Foxton had the better of the second half, Otaki played a great defensive game. Time and again Foxton were seen in . splendid passing rushes. Exciting play was witnessed throughout the spell, whilp free kicks were tried at goal without |uccess. Cooper missed a shot at a jdeld goal,- thp- ball falfing short o.f:.Ihe/baf.1" His-kicl? at gPal'frpm- a; W0- kick als'Q J fafipd. Late^^pa/ ffakaraia essayed a pot, but missed. Then c'dme a dashing run by the Foxton backs, who carried the ball Well over fifty yards to within dangerous proximity of the Otaki line. Winterburn, and others of his team, came into the limelight, and stbpped them scoring. A little later this. player, through injury. had to leave the field. Play for a time 'was first in one half, then the other, with odds in favour of Foxton, but despite frantic efforts to score "Otaki kepc them at bay till the final whistle. Mr. C. E. Wi§eley was referee.