HUI MAI 3, WANDERERS 3.

Shannon News, 12 July 1927, Page 3

HUI MAI 3, WANDERERS 3.

HONOURS EVEN AFTER STIRRING STRUGGLE.

A certain glamour has always attached itself to the meeting between the two old rivals, Wanderers and Hui Mai, and the Hui Mai ground at Mana.kau haß been the scene of many a stirring struggle between these teams in the past. Saturday’s game was certainly no exception, and after a game, played at a tremendous pace throughout, providing thrill upon thrill for the spectators, honours remained even each side having registered three points, Wanderers a penalty goal, to an unconverted try by Hui Mai. A draw was a very fair criterion of the play, for, territorially, Hui Mai held the advantage and perhaps deserved a win for this alone, it. must not be forgotten that after the wonderful defence displayed, by the light Black forwards in the second spell, they would have been decidedly unlucky to have lost. . ~ _ The Manakau ground has a decidetl slope downwards from the northern goal and is of great advantage to a team, if used judiciously, when playing on' the downward grade. Wanderers had this assistance in the first spell, but altogether apart from Hui Mai s defensive qualities, they failed to make free- use of it, for the simple reason that they allowed their attacking movements to verge towards the sidelines instead of more frequently confining their activities down the centre of the ground. At half time, Wanderers led three to nil, but not by any means had they had the better of the spell, which was played at a remarkably fast puce throughout, and when it came Hui Mai’s turn to take the downhill run, speculation prevailed among the onlookers as to the number of points they would pile up, for, on their form in the first half, it was generally anticipated that they would have more than their share of the scoring. Not so, however, for' although they attacked most of the spell, it was only during the final ten miputes of the game that they found a gap-in the defence which allowed them to notch the equalising try. Much depended on this game, consequently play was of a hard nature, and .at times willing, the tackling on both sides being mostly of a deadly nature. Mr K. Davis had a difficult task with the whistle. The-teams-were as follows: — HUI MAI (Green and White). Backs: Johnston, Bryant, Enoka, Ransfield, Wallace, Bevau and Tauhora. Forwards: T. Gardiner, George, Mackersey, Tana, Norton, C. Robinson, Weipeibana and T. Gray. WANDERERS (Black). Backs: Ryder, Udy, Graham, Williams, Nicholson, Winiata, and W. Parata. - „ Forwards: Jacob, Poad, Hereraa-i.a,-Knox, Tohu, Tatana, Kuiti, and Nuthall. THE GAME. Wanderers’ forwards appeared in an aggressive mood when hostilities commenced, which in no way suited Hui Mai, and they quickly transferred play upfield per medium of a forward rush with Gardiner and George in the van. Jacob relieved in his own 25, but making full use of their weight, the Greenforwards surged slowly back to Wanderers’ territory. Nicholson accepted a pass from Winiata off-side, but Johnston failed to open the scoring from a fairly easy position, after being allowed two attempts, owing to the Black markers riot remaining passive. . Controlling the scrums, the Hui Mai forwards enabled their backs to indulge in several passing movements that were rendered fruitless on account of the deadly tackling by the opposing rearguard. .

PLAY FLUCTUATES. Then followed a period of lightning •thrusts by both sides, the play developing a remarkable speed considering the heavy state of the ground.. Wanderers were in trouble as Parata was caught sneaking the ball away from a serum itt midfield, and the penalty kick by Johnston was knocked on by Ryder a few yards from Wanderers’ line. However, Kuiti broke clear from thp ensuing serum, and dribbled out to the 25 line. Johnston came into possession and endeavoured to crosskick to his backs. Jacob anticipated the movement and, as the bounce of the ball fooled Wallace, the big winger gained and galloped away down the centre.. He wasiheld up in front of t’"'' Hui Mai goal long enough for the defence to gather some of its forces, while the in--1 vading forwards also swarmed around in an effort to make full use of the advantage so speedily gained. After a fight for possession a few yards from Hui Mai’s line, Nicholson gained, and handed on to Nuthall who broke clear ;of the ruck and when everyone expected him to dive across, he responded to an appeal from Udy for the ball, and passed out. The latter accepted the pass and crossed unopposed b«t during the excitement, he had - managed to get. off-side and a certain

try was lost. The penalty to Hui Mai did not gain much ground, and Wan- [ derers remained on the attack. How- | ever the new Knock-on rule, which { calls for accurate handling nowadays, saw them penalised frequently, and superior serum work by Hui Mai enabled them to keep their line intact. Determined play by the Green forwards, swept the invaders aside and once more activities were transferred ; to Wanderers ’ gnd. From a line-out in a xav curable position, Tana was all but over, being pushed into touch in the nick ot time. Strenuous forward play ensued until sound tackling enabled the defenders to work slowly out, only to be again sent back with a clever run by -Wallace, until Jacob got his toe to the ball and shifted play downfield. Wanderers now initiated a series of attacks, but the inside hacks persisted with the short punt style of play, and incidentally it appeared as if Johnston, the Hui 'Mai full-back acted as a magnet towards them, for no matter where he was standing they usually booted the leather straight into his waiting arms, and with well-judged kicks he repeatedly sent the Black forwards back to midfield. A GOOD PENALTY GOAL. Despite, this, the Blacks opened the scoring in the following moments as play settled on Hui Mai’s twenty-five, where, during a hot forward melee, Norton who was playing a solid game, particularly on the line-outs, handled while off-side, and Jacob landed a good goal, the ball striking the upright to drop over. WANDERERS 3, HUI MAI 0. Play- continud up and down field at a fast rate, but the Green forwards were proving more than a match foi | their opponents and managed to nullify any advantage gained by the Blacks, with strenuous piny that kept activities in midfield until half-time sotnrided. Nuthall was compelled to retire at this stage, being replaced by H. McDonald. When play resumed Hui Mai set out to quickly put the issue beyond doubt and launched assault after assault upon the defence, but Wanderers soon made it apparent that it was not going to be such an easy matter after all, and met eaeh successive assault with increased determination. . The Southern backs almost immediately came into action, but Enoka booted too hard and* Ryder forced. Then a similar movement in which Wallace received a reverse pass from Bevan, well off-side, saw Bryant racing for the line, but Williams was too speedy and gathered him in. Wanderers retaliated up the' left wing, and the last named again showed a great turn of -speed, and dribbled past Johnson. A race for the ball that had gone perilously close to the line, saw both players indulge in a certain amount of obstruction, Hui Mai gaining needy relief with a penalty. The Black backs then handled in a rush that nearly spelt disaster for Hui Mai, as Johnston became badly bustled, until Ransfield came to the rescue and speculated downfield. The Green forwards quickly jumped into the breach, and passed Wanderers close to their line at the corner. This was the scene of a terrific battle between the dppqsing packs, and excitement van high as the heavy Hui Mai forwards made strenuous efforts to break down the defence. Inspired by the efforts of Jacob, the Black forwards defended to a man, and after successfully withstanding the siege for ten minutes or so, fought their wav out to the 25. ENOKA’S FINE TRY. Time was now drawing close and Hui Mai, realising this, redoubled their efforts aud swept down on Wanderers’ iine in a dangerous manner, until held up by a clever mark by Parata right off the toes of the Green forwards, Ryder also kept them at bay by a similar action but, in no way disconcerted, die Hui Mai forwards altered their tactics and, from a scrummage at the 25 ! they heeled quickly to their half-back, who sent Bevan away. Accurate passing, combined with speed, saw the ball reach Enoka, who found himself in the happy position of only having Udy to neat,* with Ransfield racing along in support. The Hui Mai centre kept Udy waiting for his pass to Ransfield, and then, clapping on the pace, retained the ball and raced over for a spectacular try. Ransfield misßed with the kick. HUI MAI 3, WANDERERS 3. With the scores even and time nearly up excitement raged as Hui Mai, urged on by their supporters, again took up oho attack, but were quickly repulsed jy Wanderers, and as Kuiti charged an attempted pot by Johnston, McDonald drifted play well up-field. The Greeri oaeks returned to the attack, but too iate, time being called as play went into touch at Wanderers’ 25 line.