SATURDAY’S RESULTS.

Shannon News, 15 September 1925, Page 3

SATURDAY’S RESULTS.

SENIOR. County 8, Otaki 3. Weraroa defaulted to Hui Mai. JUNIOR. Weraroa 6, Paraparaumu 3. COUNTY 8, v. OTAKI 3. At Levin on Saturday Comity met and defeated Otaki by 8 to 3 alter an uninteresting game and they now meet Hui Mai in tiie final fur the Nash Cup. ] . i There are many who would like to see the Blues win this competition, but if they hope to prevail they wall certainly iiave to play better football than that provided on Saturday. Otaki had the advantage of the sun ut their backs, and immediately initiated a rush headed by Bennett into the Blues 25. . Broughton came through with the hall at his toe and play hung around neutral territory lor Some minutes. Hakaraia and Bey an- then headed another Green rush and P. Tahiwi carrying on well saw County in trouble until a mark saved the situation. Following up smartly .Broughton caught Gleeson in possession and a glorious opportunity went begging for the want of support.

Play remained neutral until an Otaki passing rush broke down through lack of cohesion and Warren getting possession of the leather jinked past several tacklers and placed his side on toe attack. From the ensuing scramble McDonald (County) received an injury to bis knee and was compelled to retire. County kept up the attack until a high punt down field by Puna beat Udy badly and the Greens were nearly over, but Williams shot up quickly to force in the nick of time. When play resumed the Blues gradually worked up field and from a scrum in Otaki’s territory Hiwi tyok a difficult pass from Waka and cutting in past the defence sent Williams racing over in a good position. Broughton goaled. The County forwards were having the best of the argument at this stage and only good defensive work by Bennet and Gleeson kept them o-ut. Then in a twin Ming of an eye the scene of action was changed. Puna, breaking through like a flash, sent-B. Tahiwi away and streaking down the line he punted over Udy’s head and a race for'possession saw Williams just head Bennett and save by bootling to touch. County came back again and a passing rush between Hiiwi, Williams and Gray looked promising, but Gray’s pass infield was forward, and the movement finished within striking distance. From the following scrum Rhodes and Tuna dribbled past Udy and with a clear field ahead Tuna foolishly endeavoured to, pick up instead of dribbling on and the Blues cleared ei--1 fectively pushing on until held up under the Otaki posts. A wild scramble in that area saw Henderson snap up a smart mark and place his. side eight points up with a trimmer. Half time was then called. The Ot.aki hackline had not been working at all smoothly and on resumption they made, several changes. Gleeson came up fio/m full to second five-eighth, Puna going half ami Bennett dropped buck to Gieeson's place. An improvement was immediately noticeable and the Greens started to throw the ball about to good purpose and. kept the County defending for some time. A feature of the game was the hook ing of Bevah and Hakaraia, the hall coming out from nearly every scrum like lightning. From one of these scrums the leather came out smartly to Puna who dummied past a couple of Blue men and sent on to Marino, who scrambled over. The kick miss ed.

From the kick off, Rhodes and Ha karuia, who was playing toe best game on the ground, then became associated in a splendid hit of play that had tiie defence beaten badly, but Hakaraia was unfortunate enough to lose possession when in the act oi forcing. . ... Otaki were now dominating the

game and looked like overtaking County’s lead the Blues seemed to fade away badly. Alter a solo effort by Henderson, Tuna, Rhodes and Be van made a great, effort to gel over, but Waka saved. P. Tahiwi was spoiling many Otaki movements by hanging on too long and County at last collected tlieii forces and gradually worked out. Carrying on past midfield they had a turn on attack, a centering kick by Warren saw the leather go over Otaki’s line and Goad and a Green player dived simultaneously. Goad appeared to get there first but a five vards scrum was ordered . Otaki retaliated and' rushing play through, Udy was caught in possession and penalised’ for passing off the ground. Tiie Greens tried a crosskick, hut Broughton cleared his line in fine style and play was hack in midfield as no time was called. Mr E. Bevan refereed.