WANDERERS SCORE OVER OTAKI

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1948, Page 4

WANDERERS SCORE OVER OTAKI

£. very hard fought game eventuated at the Otaki Domain when Wanderers seniors emerged victorious over Otaki-Rahui by 19 points to three' The score gives little indication of the keen contest that took place. Otaki had all the best of the first half and were successfully holding the visitors, the only score h'aving come from a penalty goal shortly before the first spell ended. In the second spell the Wanderers-- back line was seen to miioh ' better advantage, and the packing- of their- serums improved. NeylOh, who had only one run in the first spell, got more of the ball, and three tries eventuated from the different tactics employed. '.Jt;>was ironical that the points scored against Otaki-Rahui should all have been by two ex-Otaki playL ers, Hakaraia being responsible for kicking two penalty goals and two conversions, and Neylon scoring •three tries. " , • The game ended on an unfortunate note when a Wanderers player was ordered off for striking ■ an opponent after only a few minutes of play. Feeling apparently ran high when Otaki-Rahui were awarded a free kick three minutes after play began. Winiata and ■Henry headed a swift rusn for the home team, and the visitors were forced to save. Z. Gray was seen to advantage heading a fast rush. He kicked a little too far, and Wanderers again forced. A penalty kick by Henry missed and further rushes by Gray and P. Hakaraia, for Otaki, followed. - Hard rucking play saw infringements by both sides, and a succession of scrums and free kicks followed. Wanderers. were pressing hard and almost scored, only to over-run the ball, and R. ■ Hakaraia touched down to save. :Another opportunity' fpr the visitors followed when a; penalty was awarded, ' but; StephenSph piissed the kick. Otaki-Rahui were back on attack and a scrum under the visitors' posts saw them again force. From the "kick off Neylon dashed away, only for his great speed to be countered by a sensational tackle by Foster, who was playing a superb game for the home team. This player's lineout work saw him constantly feeding his backs, and Wallace, Winiata and L. Enoka appeared to have the visitors bustled time and again. A penalty to tlie visitors saw A. Hakaraia open the scoring. Wanderers 3, Otaki-Rahui 0. The resumption of play for the second half saw A. Hakaraia set his backs in motion, and Neylon outpaced the opposition to score under the posts. A. Hakaraia added the major points. Wanderers 8, OtakiRahui 0. Play veered from one twenty-five to another, with Wanderers now having much the better of the lineouts, while their backs were gradually asserting superiority also. Nevertheless, the home team eontiiiued to make frequent dashes to the - visitors' territory. From a penalty following a -lineout Hakaraia was successful with a difficult kick, ten - yards from the sideline, the ball serewing at the right moment. Wanderers 11, Otaki-Rahui 0. A movement oy Murphy and Stevenson looked dangerous, but P. Hakararai intereepfed nicely, only to effect a forward pass. M. Hakaraia heartened Otaki supporters when he dived 3ver, but the whistle had gone for another forward pass. Otaki were flot done with and T. Henry finally forced his way over. Wallace failed to convert. Wanderers. 11, Otaki-Rahui 3. Otaki rallied agawLi, but the pace set earlier had them in trouble and two more tries by Neylon, following back line movements by the visitors, resulted. A. Hakaraia converted the final one jind the game ended wanderers 19, : Otaki-Rahui 3. Mr. L. Sayer was the referee.