HARD GAME AT LEVIN WON BY WANDERERS

Chronicle (Levin), 9 May 1949, Page 4

HARD GAME AT LEVIN WON BY WANDERERS

Experience and ciose cohesion betwen the backs and forwards • were the means of Wanderers senjiors beating O.aki by 11 points to inine at Levin. The game ended iwith boih teams still looking fit |afcer some sturdy tussles through|out the match. j Wanderers kicked off into the !sun and wind, the ball being taken by W. Thompson, who fumbled and a scrum was Set in Otaki territory. After a short battle, the Wanderers half, T. Winiata, received the ball and sent it out to D. Gwynn, a promising young player just up from ihe juniors. Gwynn went sailing away, but ^as tackled short of the 25. In the. melee, a penalty was awarded to Wanderers and R. Phillips sent the ball- between the posts. Wanderers 3, Q.aki 0. When play resumed, it went to'

just insi'de ihe Wanderers 10-yard line and remained there for a iittie time. With the sun and wind against them, Wanderers slow'y retreated from the^ repeated attacks of the heavier Otaki team. In a good position just back from the 25 the visitors were awarded a penalty. J. • Huff , one of the best kickers seen on the field for some time, had no trouble in scoring the points. Wanderers 3, Otaki 3. From Ihe kick-off, J. ponnor sent a long shot to the line and play was resumed in ihe Wanderers 25. However, an openirig at the liheout gave Wanderers the chance to bring the game back to centre. Good play by the Otaki back line kept the game on the move and that _ team was soon in a handy position. Another penalty saw Taratoa make the score, Otaki 6, Wanderers 3. Fo lowing a very exciting bruSh between the two teams, during which play ranged up and down and from side to si'de of the field and in which the backs and forwards of both teams took part, Wanderers were awarded a penalty in frbnt of the goal but well back. Phillips took the kick and 'ihe ba 1 bounced on the cross-bar and dropped over to make the score, Otaki 6. Wanderers 6. In the second half, the game was P'ayed with just as much enthusiasm as before. Both teams were fairly eVe'nly matched and it was not until a good opening came that Wanderers were able to secure the advantage. From near the halfway mark Gwynn made an opening and took the hau at his feet most of the wa'y down the field. Skilton supported him and at the nitical moment gathered in the ball and dived over. Phillips -took the kick and it misse'd, but the rereree awarded another, penalising Otaki for shouting as they rushed the ball. The second kick went! over. Wanderers 11, Otaki 6. Shortly afterwards, Wanderers carelessly allowed Otaki to get ih a handy position in front of the posts. In the ensuing melee, a pena'ty was awarded and Huff had no trouble in sending the ball over, Wanderers 11, Otaki 9. Some time elapsed before the end of t-he game and chances were I'iven and lost on both sides before ihe final whistle blew. The referee was Mr. D. Aitchison.