ATHLETIC WIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20003, 31 July 1939, Page 11

ATHLETIC WIN

VICTORY OVER NUHAKA W AIROA COMPETITIONS MARGIN OF 17 POINT’S TO K> (Spnuinl (o flip I Turn M.) WAIROA. this day. By defeating Nuhaka on Saturday by the narrow margin of 17 points to 15, Athletic have placed themselves in an unassailable position as leaders in the Wairoa senior Rugby competition.

The match, which was the only senior fixture played in Wairoa, attracted a large crowd and was one of the most exciting games ever witnessed here. Both teams set a hard pace and play right throughout

was very willing, three men being ordered off the field during the last 10 minutes.

This is the fourth occasion this season that both teams have met, and in the first encounter in Nuhaka the score was 5-all. During the second round Athletic and Nuhaka met in Wairoa, the game resulting in another draw, 5-all. The .following match was played in Nuhaka and Athletic managed to emerge victorious, the score being 11-8, while Saturday's match saw Athletic again beat Nuhaka by a narrow margin. The teams were:—

Athletic: —Beckett, Raurcti, Masters, McKenzie. Brady. Powdrell. Boyd, Ilclcan, Edwards, Hodgson, McLean, I-larvey, Jim Brownlie, Gourlay, and Goodicy. Nuhaka:—-Kelly, Boynton, Harvey, To Ngaio. Mitchell, Pakimana, Christy, F. Whaanga, Mataira, S. Whaanga, Walker, Lewis, Piimer. llawea, and R. Smith. Quick Scoring Almost immediately on the commencement of play Nuhaka opened their scoring account when C. llawea kicked a good penalty goal from just outside the half-way mark,--Nuhaka 3, Athletic 0. Soon after Brady, the Athletic captain, evened the score with another good penalty kick from well outside the opposition 25. —Nuhaka 3, Athletic 3.

From a line-out near tire opposition 25yd line, Jim Brownlie, the Athletic forward, secured the ball, and, exploiting a beautiful swerve, dived over for a good try near the posts. Bradv converted. —Athletic 8. Nuhaka 3.

A penalty kick against Athletic for late tackling enabled I-lawea to add another three points for Nuhaka with a good kick from just outside the opposition 25yd line and from a difficult angle.—Athletic 8, Nuhaka 6

Almost immediately Athletic were again penalised for off-side play and llawea put Nuhaka in the lead with an easy kick from in front of the posts.—Nuhaka fl, Athletic 8.

Athletic Take The Lead On the resumption of play after half-time a penalty kick against Nuhaka l'or off-side play gave Athletic an easy chance to take the lead, but Brady’s attempt veered to the side of the uprights. Soon after another penalty kick to Athletic saw Brady put Athletic in the lead with a good kick. Athletic 1.1, Nuhaka !). Athletic further increased their lead when McKenzie, on the right wing, gathered the ball in nicely while travelling at full speed aijd after a good run along the side-line went over to toucii down in the corner. The kick failed. —Athletic 14, Nuhaka 9.

Nuhaka then took a turn' on attack and carried play down field. From a scrum in the opposition territory the Nuhaka backs moved into action and Pakimana. taking a good pass, went over to score in the corner. The kick failed.—Athletic 14. Nuhaka 12. Soon after .J. Brownlie increased Athletic's lead with a good' penalty kick from about 30yds from the opposition goal-line and at a difficult angle.—-Athletic IT. Nuhaka 12. Nuhaka then swept play down to the opposition goal-line and from a melee near the line Matnira buHocked his way over for a try in a difficult position. The attempt at conversion failed.—Athletic IT, Nuhaka 15. With not long to go before .time Nuhaka strove hard to take the lead, but as a result of a heavy downpour of rain the ball became greasy and handling was very difficult. At this stage of the game a Nuhaka player and an Athletic man were ordered oil the field for lighting and shortly after this another Nuhaka player also was ordered from the field. The final whistle sounded with the score Athletic IT, Nuhaka la. Mr. A. E. Ellis was the referee Juniors Nuhaka 3 drew with Athletic 3. Thirds Athletic 14, beat High School