Encouraging Displays Of Rugby Football

Chronicle (Levin), 20 April 1949, Page 2

Encouraging Displays Of Rugby Football

Otaki footballers and supporters had plenty to keep them occupied over the weekend, when two teams from Petone visite'd Otaki and met the Otaki Club's seniors and third grade players. On Monday Rahui seniors made the trip to Kimbolton and met the local senior team there. Hui Mai also travefled and piayed Athletic in Wellington. Withopt exception encouraging displays were given, and there appears eveiy reason for optimism when the prospects for ihe coming season are considered. Hui Mai, after a keen tussle, proved themselves fairly forward oy pressing Athletic to a narrow decision, and the score 6—3 in 'Ihe atters favour. reveals the evenness of the contest. With one or two visiting p'ayers swelling their ranks, Otaki fieided two excellent teams in the matehes against Petone and good- games re-

suited. Otaki thirds scored an easy victory by 15 — 3, while the seniors were unlucky in not turning a narrow flefeat, 11 — 13, into a fairly decisive win. For the thirds W. Davies scored six points, a penalty and a try in the first half, while J. Harvey finished off a briiiant passing rush, which Juno started, and which went right out .o the wing, by diving over for another three points. The second half saw Davis add another three points, while B. Taratoa also crossefl both tries being well deserved. Late in the second spell Ryan opened the visitors' score by securing their only three points of the game. While the visitors' defence was reasonably sound, the home side's pace and initiative, and good following up, won the day. The 60 visitors were met an'd entertained at luncheon, and after the game at dinner, vMessrs E. J. Cook and H. Johnson attending to their wants on behalf of the Otaki Club. The senior game was much better than most spectators had anticipated, and the home side gave a really surprising exhibition, with practically the whole of the side in the limelight at some stage or, other. Petone onened the scoring} when a penalty was awarded them, Jamieson annexing three points with a nice kick. Offside play by the visitors gave the home side a chance to even the scoring, and Huff made no mistake. The opell ended with the scores even. Huff at full-back was proving very sound, but the bounce of the ball beat him once and Abbott rushed over, for Jamieson to again add the major points. Petone 8, Otaki 3. A series of infringements by the visitors saw another penalty awarded and Huff again made no mistake. Otaki were continually attacking and twice Huff came up and all but crossed the visitors' line. From a scrum under the goal posts, Bob Hakaraia was all but over. With excitement running high Otaki kept up the attack, and iater from another scrum this p?ayer snapped up the ball and dived over for a typical All Black try under the posts. Huff ad'ded the extra points and Otaki led 11 — 8. The home side never let up, and the dead ball line saved the visitors on more than one occasion, whi'e Enoka was brought down less than flve yards from the line. Petone rallied(on the call of time an'd made an exhilarating run for Brocklebank to go over. Jamieson again added the extra points and the game ended 13—11 in the visitors' favour. Mr. Les. Smith carried the jwhistle, while the earlier game was controlled by Mr. Johnny Duigan, of Petone. Rahui, although opposed hy a much heavier pack, threw the ball about to advantage when playing at Kimbolton, and their performahce must have been a very commenflable one for so early in the season. The game is reported to have been clean and fast; tries were scored by A. Winterburn (2), J. Spiers (2), and B. Wallis and T. Smith, while Wallis and W. Bradley converted one each, with the score 22 — 3 in Rahui's favour. The team was royally entertained by the home side and Messrs J. Winterburn and C. PusselJ, captain and coach respectively, expressed thanks for the hospitality shown them. Messrs Neil and Robins complimented Rahui on Ihe fine display tliey gave, assured them their visit was appreeiated, and that Kimbolton looked forward to> returning it later in the' season.