No Surprises In Saturday's Senior Rugby

Chronicle (Levin), 8 June 1948, Page 7

No Surprises In Saturday's Senior Rugby

Wanderers had an easy win over Otaki-Rahui in Saturday's senior Rugby and now lead the championship with ten points. In a soiid tussle, Athletic and Hui Mai played to a draw, giving the former eight championship points an'd the latter seven. Hui Mai thus retain the McLennan and; Ea'ston Cups. . Athietic continued tneir unbeaten record in the nbrtHern division of the junior competition and, with 'ten points, share top position with Tokomaru, who held the bye on Saturday. In the southern division Paraparaumu had a close eall at the,hands pf Hui Mai, put emerged, ' still undefeated to retain their lea'dership with 12 points, Hui Mai b'eing next with eight. Old Boys A retained their position at the head of the third grade championship, and now have 11 points. Rahui are only one point behind them. The following are the results of Saturday's games in all grades: —

Senior Wanderers 30, Otaki-Rahui 8. Athietic 6, Hui Mai 6. Northern Junior Athietic 6, Wanderers 3. Punahau 23, Shannon 0. Southern Junior Paraparaumu 11, Hui Mai 6. Rahui 9, Waikanae 3. Third Grade Old Boys A 9, College 0, Shannon 3, Athietic 3. Rahui 39, Old Boys B 0. Fourth Grade Shannon 12, Rahui 3. College A 17, College B 0. WANDERERS SENIORS TROUNCE OTAKI-RAHUI

Wanderers seniors trounced Otaki-Rahui to the tune of 30 points to eight in their match at the Levin Park Domain. From the kick olf, however, Otaki-Rahui were at a disadvantage as they were playing one man short. Then shortly before the end of the first speli one of their players was ordered off the field, bringing their complement down to 13. Tlie match was characterise'd by a series of bright spots, with play for the most part of a ragged nature. Particularly noteworthy was the work of B. Selby, K. McCready, Skilton, T. Winiata, A. Hakaraia, G. Sciascia and W. Lincoln for the winning team. For Otaki-Rahui, L. Enoka, G. Ramsbotham, W. Taratoa, T. Gray and P. Hohipuha were outstanding. The game had been in progress for only a short time when Wan derers were awarded a penalty, and A. Hakaraia sent ' the ball over. Wanderers 3, Otaki-Rahui 0. Almos. immediateiy another penalty v/a.c awarde'd, this time close under the Otaki posts, and Hakaraia had no difficulty with the kick. W.anderer,'. 6, Otaki-Rahui 0. Some spectacular play followed and after several attempts on the part of Wanderers players to score, jR. Skilton received the ball, made a sfiort, run to . the lihe and f an round to almost uhder the posts. A Hakaraia conVerted. Wanderers 11, Otaki-Rahui 0.' Stung" by this reverse, OtakiRahui penetrated into foreign territory. ' T. Gray gained possession and cr'ossed the iine after a short but bright dash. W. Taratoa gained the extras witn a difficult kick. Wanderers 11, Otaki-Rahui 5. Early in the second haif, T. , Murphy scored, A. Hakaraia failing to convert. Wan'derers 14, OtakiRahui 5. Wanderers were now at the peak of their game and with Otaki playing only 13 men, the res. of the match was a walk-over. B. Hughes scored a try which Hakairaia converted. Wanderers 19, Otaki-Rahui 5. Then Skilton again crossed after an excellent run, Hakaraia succeeding with the kick. Wanderers 24, Otaki-Rahui 5. McCready made an opening for Selby who dived over the line-to fall on a ioose ball. Hakaraia missed the conversion. Wanderers 27, OtakiRahui 5. McCready made a surprise try shortly afterwards, which Went unconverted. Wanderers 30, Otaki-Rahui 5. In the latter stages of the game Otaki-Rahui made strong endeavours to increase their score, t.me and again breaking their opponents' defences until Taratoa finally scored. T. Gray failed to convert. Wanderers 30, Otaki-Rahui 8. The match endefi soon aftei. The referee was Mr. F. G. Carrington.