RAHUI CONVINCING IN VERY CLOSE GAME

Chronicle (Levin), 1 June 1949, Page 7

RAHUI CONVINCING IN VERY CLOSE GAME

(By "Observer") Hui Mai had an even game with Rahui on Satnrday, the score being 16 — 15 in favour of the former. H Cook, a "doubtfid starter" who arrived late, playe'd with plenty of dash. George Lander was the hardest worker of the Hui Mai pack and gave a ster'ing display, with H. Wallace, at half, a lower of strength and alive to every opportunity. As hooker, Ian Robinson was the goods and gavq his si'dc every opportunity, while W. Gardiner, R. Bryant and W. Page were also outstanding for Hui Mai. For Rahui. J. McLeod, moved from -the- wing io breakaway, gave a slashing . display as di'd forwards J. Winterburn, Ted Fox and Doug. Smith and," to a'lesser degree (they were on the "quiet" side of the field), T, Smith, M. Merwood and P. Phillips, A. Hakaraia and B. Wahis were pillars of strength, and M. Winterburn, . W.- Davis and W. Waaka ali gave their usual solid displays. With so little diffsrence in the score, any change of fortune could have turned the result into a Hui Mai defeat. H. Cook was a surprised man when awcrded his try. Three players threw themselves at at the ball and Cook's hand reached it, for the ball to slide away from

him, but the whistle blew. Arda Hakaraia missed > a grand opportunity of gaining extra points when he drop-kicked a penaTy nem the hglf-way mark with the intention of centring it, but the wind carrie'd it right to the goal and it sailed under the bar. The wind was also the reason for Rahui not having a kick at goal after the try in the northern corner. With but three "old hands" to guide them, the remaining dozen being last vear's juniors, Rahui cou'd be said to have given a convincing display. Hui Mai fieMed 13 players at the whistle, the late comers arriving about ten minutes after the opening whistle.