COUNTY 12, OTAKI 3.

Shannon News, 14 July 1925, Page 3

COUNTY 12, OTAKI 3.

The conditions were excellent for. the County-Otaki match on Saturday, hut the game itself was not, by any means, a good' exhibition of Rugby, both back divisons lacking the necessary combination that is so essential in the making of good football. 01 individual efforts there' were plenty, which at times roused the enthusiasm of the spectators. On the run of the play County thoroughly deserved their win, lor towards the end of the game play was mostly confined in Otaki's territory. Otaki kicked off, and County were immediately penalised from the first ' scrum but cleared 'their line and the Blue forwards carried play into the Greens 25 with a loose rush. Good tackling by the Otaki backs kept the attackers out until McLeavey dribbler right down to their line, but rehei came with a penalty for off-side play by a Blue forward. A movement between Waka, vwiren and Gray kept Otaki defending, and opportunities-were lost tliiou* the County forwards -handling oo much, the Greens eventually cleatn the danger zone, and a rush by the backs saw P. Tahiwi robbed o the leather by Heta as he tried to cut"; From the ensuing play in nuuneui Hiwi and Palmer put their side into a good position, where a series ot scrams were set up. The County hookers were gaining the bah, arm Waka tried hard to get his backs moving but at times was left standing looking for his supports, who were all out of position. The Green towards burst through, but Warren held them up with a mark, and, following ■S miickly. McLeavey, Palmer and B aSngfim rushed the ball right to

'Otaki's line where Rangi tried hard to battle through but was held up. The Blue vanguard maintained their advantage for some minutes, and Palmer was just beaten for the ball by Lima, after dribbling over the line. From the kick out McDonald initiated a movement that ended with Henderson going over, but the referee ruled him offside. The Greens were not playing with, their usual dash, and were kept penned on their own goal line. Waka gained possession lrom a line out, and' a good movement saw Hiwi cut in past two tacklers, and send on to Warren, who however, sent a' bad pass to Hop a, when mat player could have scored. The resultant plav was a forward tussle on Otaki's line and at last .Goad dived over for the opening try. Udy failed with the kick.

An uninteresting spell' followed tins incident, and a series of marks by both sides caused the game to become rather lifeless. At last McDonald snapped up in midneld, and witu one of his characteristic dashes up field sent Palmer away, but Lima downed his man in good style.) P. Tahiwi then caused a little excitement with a pretty piece of play. Intercepting a pass in his own twenty-five he raced down the centre of the field, and beating Udy, looked like scoring, but his wind gave out, and he was forced to. get rid of the ball, and play came back to midfield as half time was called. After the resumption, the Otaki forwards livened up somewhat, and Had a turn on the attack, Udy fumbled in trying to clear, and things looked uangerous for the County men, but HiOpa came to light with a good save. The Greens were not to 'be denied of their advantage, however, and, after the forwards had failed to get through,'the hacks gave a. glimpse of their quality. Bennett, tiie Otaki half, sent out a good pass, and the ball travelled through the hands of Puna, P. Tahiki, B, Tahiwi, to Marino, who dashed over. It was. a fine movement. Tuna failed to improve the score.

The Greens now opened play up more, and, from a cross kick by B. Tahiwi their forwards swarmed down on County's line, but the Blue forwards cleared well. This seemed to be Otaki's last effort for they faded away thereafter, and the Blues gained the upper hand, and Otaki were obliged to force twice in quick succession. Country tried hard to increase their score, but mistakes by their backs kept them out. At last McDonald marked in a good position, and put his side in the lead with a nice kick. The Blue pack nowhad tilings all their own way, and from a line out in the Greens' territory, an Otaki forward weakly punted towards his own line. Goad, the diminutive County forward, demonstrated that he is quick to seize an advantage by taking the ball m his stride, and flashing over lor a nice try. McDonald's kick fell short. Otaki then made a dying' effort, and, a rush by Hakaruia, and. the, two Tahiwis, compelled County to force. Gray the Blue winger who has a rare 'turn of speed, was the next to show up. Taking a pass irom Warren, he outpaced several tacklers, and, after a brilliant run down the wing, kicked the ball dead. It was an inglorious finish to an excellent effort. The Blues now attacked down the opposite wing, Hiwi gaining possession from a relieving kick sent Ransfield away,'who, when tackled, gave to Hooa the latter going over in the arms of a couple of tacklers. He failed to convert his own try, and the game ended with County still pressing. Mr ,T. Sciascia reCereed.