Paraparaumu Beat Rahui In Semi-final

Chronicle (Levin), 6 September 1948, Page 4

Paraparaumu Beat Rahui In Semi-final

Although exciting football • was witnessed gt the ^evin Pai'k .Domain on Saturday, it was not up to 'the standard expected of junior finalists. Paraparaumu emerged the winners 9 — 3, but the score does not indicate the run of play. They will now meet Athletic in the championship final. » Rahui fielded, a young team. ' They played well and their determination earned 'them applause from the audience. Among those players who showed up during the game, none playqd a more spectacular game than Taylor (Rahui), whose faultless exhibition at full-back stamps him as a promising senior 'player of the future. Page (Paraparaumu) also played well and his game at second five-eighths was very good. Paraparaumu kickfed off and fast but rag-ged play followed with B. Hakaraia playing well for Rahui on defence. There was not much excitement until about seven minutes had passed; when a - scrum was ordered on the half-way mark, whei'e Paraparaumu, on gettitig the ball, forced Rahui on the defence again. Fine individual movements by the defenders breakaways saw the game return to midfield. Rahui backs, however, gained control of the ball, where Davis showed good versatility but his pass was intercepted by Page, who made a perfect runaway try, taking Paraparaumu into the lead. The kick failed. Paraparaumu 3, Rahui 0. Paraparaumu again pressed hard | and Taylor showed his worth for , Rahui, his fine kicking gaimng ground. Rahui forwards, following up fast, went on the offensive but r failed just inside the Paraparaumu . Itwenty-five/ where an infring'ement Jgave O. Taylor an opportunity oi • evening the score, which he successl 1 fully accomplished.

Good play by Ranui siowiy gainea ground for them, but the lack of following up saw their efforts wast|ed. Then Wikaira, on receiving the 'ball, put his team on the offensive. |As the half-time -whistle sounded solid play progressed in Rahui territory, but neither team was making much progress. On resumnig, Paraparaumu, who had the advantage of weight in the forwards, were making it hard work for Ra^ui to get the ball out to their backs. Every 'effort' by the' iParaparaumu backs to ' break through was' stemmed by good defensive play. Conolly, Merwood and Davis were showing good work. A series of kicks by Paraparaumu put Rahui in a dangerous position, but again Taylor saved the .day with 'a good line kick. Paraparaumu once more pressed their attack, but Rahui forwards, packing solidly, held -them on their. own, .twentyifive. Ciunie-* however, received a jlucky run, and, kicking the ball 'over Taylor's head, followed 'up . fast and scored. . Signs ;of tiring were- noticeable with 1 both • teams and much of the dash witnessed in the early parb of the game was slowly being extinguishfed. Rahui were -playing very determinedly, but could not penetrate Paraparaumu's defence. With only a few minutes left, Paraparaumu added another three points to their total when M. Wikaina kicked a penalty five yards ins'de the Rahui twenty-five, and 10 yards from the side line. When the final whistle sounded play was progressing on the half-way mark. Mr.. C. E, Wiseley carried the whistle.