ATHLETIC LUCKY TO BEAT RAHUI

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1949, Page 4

ATHLETIC LUCKY TO BEAT RAHUI

In one of the most exciting club games witnessed on the Levin Park Domain for some time, Athletic defeated Rahui by 12 points to 10. As the score indicates, the game was very even and Athletic can be eonsidered lucky to have won. If it had not been for the good p'ay of Galloway, who gained the deciding points by a particularly fine field goa', their colours would have been lowered. The atrocious conditions in'dicated that the game would be a real forward one, but this was not the case. Although the forwards did have a lot of work, so did the backs and, considering the greasy state of the ball, the passing was fairly good. Rahui had the lighter pack but this disadvantage was balanced by the fact that they pos1 sessed many young and versatilt? p ayers who broke very fast. ALhIfetic, however, concentrated on hard packing. Oenerally; the scrums were even and neither side had a definite advantage in the rucks. For the visitors players prominent during the game were J. Winterburn, who shohe out in the hard rucks but had a tehdency to get off side, Waaka, Phillips, Speirs and A. Winterburn. McBeth, Davis and Merwood were the most reliable a,mong the backs. Merwood and Davis both gave ereditable performances, more especiaily on defence. Gadoway again stole the honours of the game, and his play at first five-eighths was brilliant. 1De Castro, on his play on Saturday, certainly deserves a place in the reps. A newcomer to the local team was Ryan, who played a very proihising game at halfback. He is young and seems to possess a good knowledge of the game. Lancaster p'ayed a very vigorous game at centre. The wings, Lind and Smith, both scored, but Lind's try was certainly the most impressive. Smith scored what can be termed a lucky try, as by intercepting a pass he just had to keep on his feet to score. KihP- was more vigorous in his play on Saturday and others who were prominent among the forwards were Sciascia, Powell and Fletcher. From the Athletic kick-off Rahui ihdicated that they were giving their opponents a lot of trouble and_ penetrated deep into Athletic's territory, but Galloway relieved the situation by a ihasterful line kick, which sent play b'ack to the halfway mark. From- a lineout Rahui hooked and the ball travelled along the back line, but a pass by Davis to his wing was intercepted by Smith, who raced away to score. It Was not long before Rahui took the lead and from a good concentrated dribbling rush Waaka scored. Davis converted. Rahui 5, Athletic 3. Athletic retaliated, however, and pressed. hard in the Rahui twentyfive. Although Casey did some fine work on defence, the Athletic forwards over-ran him and Fletcher, playing loose, scored ih the corner., Athletic 6, Rahui 5. Athletic again took the game into the visitor's territory, and Rahui were in trouble. A good piece of passing was witnessed when Smith, who made an extra man at first fiveeigh'ths, received - the ball from Ryan and sent ifedo his backs, Lind finishing off the effort to score in the corner. Athletic 9, Rahui 5. Sciascia, playing very -fast and vigorously, led' his pack into Rahui's territory and hard rucking play Was in progress as the half-time whistle sounded. More determination by Athletic was noticed on resuming, but much credit is to be given to Rahui's defence, which was exceptionally good in this half. Casey again saved when Sciascia, Taylor and Powell were ahead of their pack dribbling to the Rahui goal line. For at least 20 minutes Rahui were defending hatd and never erossed the halfWay mark. Rahui forwards finally broke through and McBeth, on receiving the ball, made a brilliant run to kick over the line to fall on it and score. Davis again did the honours. Rahui 10, Athletic 9. * At this stage tehsion among the spectators was extremely high and

the players were now down to playhg fii'st class .football. Things ooked bad for Ath etic, but their determination was fewarded When, from a scrtim in front of the dgses, Ryan shot' a pass to Galloway, who potted a field goal 'and added the deciding three points. Rahui forwards were actually gainiiig the . idvahtage as . the • final' ; whis tie 30tmded to a really enjoyable and .exciting game. Mr. D. Aitchisoii was the referee. * - ' fiii ' 1 ■ i