FITNESS DECIDING FACTOR IN ATHLETIC HUI-MAI GAME

Chronicle (Levin), 13 June 1949, Page 4

FITNESS DECIDING FACTOR IN ATHLETIC HUI-MAI GAME

Manakau football fans were given a real treat at Manakau on Saturday, when Avhletic defeated Hui Mai by 11 poirits to three. The game was very even and it was only in the final 15 minutes that AtfLetic took the upper hand as the Hui Mai forwards showed signs of tiring. Although- 'the game was not spectacular, sohie.. really goo'd movements were wit'nessed and fchere is every i ndicataon that these teams will be well represented in the representative fifteen to be ann'ounced .this week. The Athletic pack was very solid, but took quite a time to settle down, whereas their opponents definitely had, 'the advantage in the first haaf, 30 minutes of the spell being played 'in the Athletic 25. However, their fitness gave out in the concluding stages of the- game and better combination by -the visitors was the deciding point. Hui Mai kicked off and followed up fast to force play into Athletic territory and although the; visitors made determined efforts to relieve the situation, they could make little impression on the hard packing Hui Mai forwards. Bryant, Roy Robinson and Lander were _most prominent in this at'tack. Parsons and Cameron were playing well on the defence. An attempt to get the Athletic back line to function was spoiled time and time again by solid interception on the part of

the home team's back line. HuiMai renewed their efforts and after solid rucking on the Athletic 25, pressed hard, and carried play further into Athletic's territory. A penalty was awarded them but Roy Robinson's kick, which looked particularly rosy, failed. From the drop-out Athletic momentarily looked like carrying the game into Hui Mai territory, but good play by Paige saved the situation for his team. The Hui Mai forwards, packing hard, carried to the half way mark and gradually fo»ced their way into Athletic territory. Hui Mai forwards, with Campbell, Horn and the Robinson brothers prominent, played determined football and had Athletic in trouble. But for good defensive play by Cameron and De Castro they would have Seored. After 30 minutes, however, Hui Mai were rewarded when Harry scored a well-deserved try. Renewing their1 previous attacks, the home team again penetrated Athletic's 25, but a brief passing rush by the visitors' back line saw play proceed to the half-way mark. In this movement Webb did good work at half, but by the time Smith had possession of the ball he was grassed. Galloway took a penalty , for Athletic and evened the points. , The second half, however, wds a complete reversal of the first. Hui Mai took the advantage early and seemed like scoring, but brilliant line kicking by Galloway sent play back to ' half-way. For the next ten minutes play centred there and it was noticeable ,that the Athletic forwards were gaining the upper hand, and their hooker was negotiating. his task more successfiilly. .From this point the Hui Mai forwards were tiring. Webb got his backs in motion. and Galloway, side-stepping his man, passed to Lind, who sped along the side line outstripping his opponents to score in the corner. Gal'oway masterly converted to make the score Athletic 8, Hui Mai 3. It was not long before Webb again got his backs going and Cameron sluded his man and passed to Parsons, who sent on to Galloway. At top speed he side-stepped his man and "passed to Lind? who again raced for the line. This time he scored more* easily. , Again Athletic took the advantage and slowly made play in the

Hui'- Mai territory as the" final iVmstie blew with the score at 11 — 3 ,n Athletic's favdur. • " Mr. L.' G. Sayer was referee.