Rahui Turn Defeat Into Victory

Chronicle (Levin), 30 August 1949, Page 2

Rahui Turn Defeat Into Victory

A most interesting game of football was provided for the lew spectators who attended at Manakau on Saturday, when Rahui juniors turned defeat into victory in the closing stages and triumphed over Hui Mai, 14 — 10. ' The "feeling out" process saw players not prepared to take too many risks in • the •first spell and up and down play resultcd, with sound defensive work by M. Staples and Lewis for Hui Mai, and Bevan, Matthews and Connor for Rahui haiting any rushes. Good open football resulted in the secondsped and the points scored all c'ame after the change over. Hui Mai kicked oif "downhill" and the first rush was by Rahui, with S. Bell all but over when his pass was intercepted. The home side returned play to Rahui's 25, but scrum 'infringemenis lost them opportunities. They continued to attack and a penalty brought a chance to open the scoring, but a good kick by Lewis missed narrowly. The closing stages of the first half saw Rahui whh a territorial advantage, but Fanning and Staples cleared successfuily time and again. T. Matthews topped off a nice back line effort early in the second spell and scored to give Rahui three points. This reverse saw Hui Mai make steriing efforts to reirieve the situation and after Connor had forced to save for Rahui, P. Lee crossed in the corner and Lewis converted. Hui Mai 5, Rahui 3. Almost immediately following, a scrum on Rahui's line saw Lewis cross and, converting his own try, he took Hui Mai further into a lead of 10 — 3. With Rahui's backs and forwards combining from then on in some excellent moves play was very bright and Bell, Matthews and Rodgers were nearly over, a dropped pass haiting the thrust. From the resultant scrum Rodgers kicked an up and under one and smart 'following up saw L. Giddens score after tne bounce had beaten Staples and Rodgers. Hui Mai 10, Rahui 6. I. Mudgway did not have his kicking booG on and missed an apparently easy kick. Soon after ; a further ' try was secured by R. i Bevan following another combined j effort. He converted his own try ito take his side into the lead, 11 — 10. In Hui Mai territory again, an excellent atteihpt by Matthews to kick a field goal from a 'difficult angle missed tiy the narrowest of margins. A' r.unaway try by W, Walker in the closing stages took the visitors further ahead and the final whistle blew with the scores Rahui 14, Hui Mai 10. Mr. D. Hoone was referee.