ATHLETIC HAVE DECISIVE WIN OVER OTAKI.

Chronicle (Levin), 2 May 1949, Page 4

ATHLETIC HAVE DECISIVE WIN OVER OTAKI.

There was little of a spectacular nature- in the senior game between Athletic and Otaki at the Otaki Pqpiain, but gpectators were treatr ed to good clean footbal, developing into a fairly dour s.ruggle in the secon4 half. It was won by Athletic, 17 — 8. "" Pla-y was ragged in the early stages,,"with lineouts and sctums giving much "trouble., Half of ihe first spell had passed before there was any real danger to either side. Athletic piled on 14 points once they settled down, but had to spend the greaier portion of the seeond speh on the defensive. Highlights of the first half were the initial try for Athletic, .which B. Lind scored after Webb. the visitors' ha'f, had seeured the ball from the scrum. A very nice rearguard movement resulted, in which all took part before Lind dived over at the corner flag. The kick by Galloway was , a beauty. Strangely enough this haftt kick" appeared egsy tq the kicke^Hmt it was the only time. the b^fl Went over the upr'ights for Athletic. ■ Athletic kicked off with the wind in their fayo,ur an,d -the first , rush by Otaki saw the visitors defending. Lineouts folowed iri quick succession and the visitors were penqlised time and again. One shot at goal was attempted by Huff, but it was of no avaii. Ath'etic's ta'cks' had their first run' antl B. Lind opened the scoring for Gal-» loway to add the major points. The second try for the visitors came five ipinqtes later when, following a lineout, all the visitirig backs again handle'd for Ross Smith to go ■OVer op the opposite side. The kick missed, and Athletic led 8 — 0. The next movement saw a try iooming up for Otaki when several forwards heade'd a charge, but Galloway intercepted and broke away only to be brought down. Shortly after B. Lind outpaeed .his oppon-ents-and crossed again. A poor kick resulted and Athletic led 11 — 0. Huff at full-back was now finding plenty to do -and he was very safe, With five minutes to go, Ross Smith again set sail and with a spiral run passe'd all buo Huff, who brought him down. Edmondson raced up to take Smith's pass and over he went. The kick missed and the spell enfied with Athletie 14 points up. Otaki made several changes of positions at ha1! time and Huff came up to half. Following an early penalty, hard rucking qnder the visitors' goal resulted in a fur^ ther penalty to Otaki and W. Taratoa opened Otaki 's scoring with a nice kick. Otaki hea'ded the next rush, but Smith intercepted. A penalty awarded Athletic was of nc avail, and T. Hakaraia, Shaw and Carkeek were soon heading for the visitors' line. Following further rucking a free kick to the visitors turned the tables once agaip. A penalty to Otaki followe'd and Huff had a kiGk five yards inside half Smith again set sail and with a visitors' only noints in the seconcl spell came after play had been in progress half an hour. From halfway Smith made a spectacifiar run, fen'ded off several opponents and scored a grand try, which was un. converted. Followipg the kick off. Zane Gray took a nice pqss, stab kicked, racSd up to regain posses^ sion and oqtstrip the opposition. Taratqa added the extras. Athletic 17, Otaki 8. Otaki cqme again With a torrib dpibbling rush, the first of the day, but Parsops, at fqll-back fot Athle-^ tic, again proved -very safe. Webb shawed up in a final effort'-for the visitors when he tried to barge his way over an'd all but succeeded, and the game ended Athletic 17, Otaki 8. Mr. L. G. Sayer held the whistle.