WERAROA V. HUI MAI.

Shannon News, 4 September 1928, Page 3

WERAROA V. HUI MAI.

• The game between Weraroa .and Hui Mai seniors on Saturday, on the Levin. Park Domain, was somewhat closer than, the final scores indicate, the victory of the local men being mainly due to the superiority of their backs play. As a result of this match, the final for the Nash Cup will be contested by Weraroa and Shannon. Hui Mai (green and white) kicked off from the east end against a fairly steady breeze. Weraroa (black ana white) returned the ball and followed up, but were immediately repulsed through a passing movement among the opposing backs, followed by a kick down, the field. The advantage was only a temporary one, however. A concerted movement by the blacks • forwards carried piny U P the field, where J. Hroughton took a pass, shortpunted, recovered the ball and raced over the line to score. McLennan easily converted.' - Weraroa 5, Hui Mai 0. . ..

A second movement of some promise by Weraroa was spoilt by forward passing in their back division. Hui Mai's defences were preserved by Bryant (wing three-quatrter) kicking to safetv, and shortly afterwards by their full-back Wallace following suit. Weraroa came again with good handling by their baeks, but Wallace saved at the corner in the nick of time. The blacks -were close up to the leather shortly after this, but the bait was sent too far and travelled over the dead-ball line. McLennan took a penalty shot from near half-way and narrowly missed the goal. A dribbling rush by Weraroa ended in a scramble over the line, Skelton scoring. McLennan was successful with the kick. Weraroa 10, Hm Mai 0. „ t ' Fumbling of the ball amongst the greens' backs allowed Weraroa to attack again and a series of loose scrambles in front of the line took place until Hui Mai were relieved by a penalty kick. George opened play up by throwing his weight against the opposing forwards, and the greens began a combined attack 1 . The score, however, came' from an individual effort, L. Bevan getting over after dodging four or Ave of the blacks. Johnson failed with the kick. Weraroa 10, Hui Mai 3

Weraroa came back with the wind, and Hui Mai had to force down. Their full-back saved a little later, taking the balL neatly «and punting well. Play hovered about midfield for a time. A free- .kick was awarded to Weraroa near half way, but Graham missed. The spell ended soon after, Avith the scores unaltered. Weraroa 10, Hui Mai 3. Almost as soon as play resumed, Hui Mai were penalised in their own territory, but McLennan did not find the goal. Tana, of the Hui Mai forwards, came off with a sore leg, and was replaced by Wehipeihana. The greens' score was shortly increased by a potted goal quickly accomplished by Johnson. Weraroa 10, Hui Mai 7. Play livened up and same smart. exchanges.of the ball were seen as the two sides sparred for territorial advantage. The blacks ; forwards, broke away at last, and from a line-out RBroughton got possession, and before the opposing backs were fully aware of what had happened, he streaked across the- line and round behind the posts. McLennan made no mistake with the kick." Weraroa 15, Hui Mai 7. An incursion by Hui Mai was followed by a scramble in front of the Weraroa goal. Wallace put up a long run with the ball and appeared likely to score, but unluckily he overran the sideline. Further efforts by the visitors ( ended in Wehipeihana scoring from a ' bit of loos© play. Johnson's -kick was unsuccessful./ Weraroa 15, Hui Mai 10.

J. Broughton nearly brought off a try for Weraroa from a passing rush started by Warren, a score being missed through Broughton going out, at the corner. Both teams took turns at attacking, but without any addition to the score, and the game ended in Hui Mai 'a territory. Weraroa 15, Hui Mai 10. Mr E. Bovan waa referee.