OTAKI-RAHUI WIN NASH CUP

Chronicle (Levin), 29 September 1947, Page 4

OTAKI-RAHUI WIN NASH CUP

ATHLETIC BEATEN DY SINGLE POINT

Playing hard and ' willing football, Otaki-Rahui won their match against Athletic for the Nash Cup on Saturday. Athletic fielded five junior players and they found the heavier Otaki team too much for them. The five juniors played some excellent football and are a credit to their coach. Athletic hooked the majority of balls from the scrums and rucks. The scrums were tight, though a little -unsteady when Otaki used its weight. For Otaki, Ramsbotham, Gordon, Gray, Huff and Hohipuha distinguished themselves. Judd, Lankshear, Bond, Galloway, De Castro and Stevens acquitted themselves well for Athletic. The match started with Athletic playing into the sun. A light wind was blowing straight across the field. Otaki went on the offensive from the start. Some good forward rushes were seen before the Athletic full-back, De Castro, found the ball and sent back to the centre of the field. A penalty was awarded Athletic and Galloway sent out to the li-ne. In a short time Otaki was up under the Athletic posts and were awarded a penalty. The Otaki full-back, J. Huff, missed an easy shot at goal. From a line-out Otaki went on the defensive as the ball passed through. Sciascia's hands to Lankshear and Hill, who was tackled by Gray. A scrum was formed in the centre and Athletic hooked to make another attempt to go down the line. Otaki broke through and the ball went" out to the wing. Into the break went R. Stevens, the Athletic? win.ger. With a ... speed. which delighted; the spectators,' hedashed down on J. Huff, the Otaki full-back, who was also making for the ball. Unfortunately he overran himself and in the ensuing ruck the ball went out. Otaki were awarded another penalty and the full-back sent down the line to gain 30 yards. AlmOst immediately they were awarded another penalty and Gray missed an easy shot at proal. The Otaki backs came down field ,in a good movement. A kick infield from Gordon sent the ball to the Athletic full-back, De Castro, who started to run but found himself tackled by Ramsbotham. After • a scrum Athletic' were awarded a penalty. Galloway sent a good ball to the centre. One of the junior players, R. Judd, went through the ■Otaki defence with the ball at his feeh Huff stopped him with a neat mavement. Athletic gathered round and put all the weight they could into a ruck. The ball came out to Sciascia, who sent across to Galloway. He immediately wheeled &nd dropped a neat field goal. Athletic 4, Otaki-Rahui 0. In the early stages of the second half Otaki forced to near the Athletic line. Athletic were award^ ed ' a penalty and Galloway impressed with a kick which travelled nearly half the length of the field before going out. Otaki forced up again, but some stout defensive play by the Athletic backs sent the ball back to the centre. Soon after missing a 20 yard kick in front of the posts, Galloway, from ten yards inside the twenty-five, kick- ' ed a neat penalty to make the score, Athletic 7, Otaki-Rahui 0. The lighter ' Athletic forwards began to tire at this stage, and Otaki started to play a very willing game. They forced up to the Athletic line time after time. The ball was thrown about freely and opportunities were given to each

side to take the offensive. From the ruck Gordon took the ball and went over the line. Gray collected the extras. Otaki-Rahui 5, Athletic -7. From the kick off Otaki forced up to the corner again. Play alternated between half-way and this corner for some minutes. Then, after a line-out, Hohipuha went over the line. Gray failed to con--v-ert. Otaki-Rahui 8, Athletic 7. The referee was Mr. F. G. Carrington.