RUGBY

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 20, 28 May 1952, Page 1

RUGBY

TEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT Results: — First Round. Waitahanui 5, Maroa 3. United 3, Oruanui 0. Final Round. Waitahanui 6, United 3. In spite of a cold drizzling rain an excellent crowd was present to witness the opening of the 1S52 season. Clubs under the jurisdiction of the Taupo Rugby Sub-Union compete annually in a ten-a-side tournament for the Pelling Cup. This season, owing to the State Hydro Club being unable to field a team, four clubs participated. In the opening game Maroa notched an early try but failed to convert, leading Waitahanui by 3 points to nil at half' time. In the second spell Waitahanui retaliated when Beale kicked down field and following up dribbled the ball over the line to score, this being converted, the* game resulted in Waitahanui 5 Maroa 3. In the second game United met Oruanui. The latter, though lacking combination, did well to hold the superior United backs in check for most of the game. Joe Habib, United centre threequarter, clinched a good movement after receiving the ball from his inside backs, and running round his opposite numbex Jscored

under the posts this try being converted. In the final game United met Waitahanui and were the first to score, when Paui Habib obtained a quick try, the kiek falling wide. United appeared eertain winr.ers when al~ most at the end of the second half R. Biddle, Waitahanui left winger, crashed over to score in a handy position but the try was not converted. At the end of the two halves of fifteen minutes stipulated for the games, the score was 3 all, and under ten-a-side rules extra time had to be piayed until a defensive touchdown or a try was awarded. Play varied territorially until in the second period of extra time, Marama Wall in a coneerted rush carried the ball across the United line, giving Waitahanui a win by 6 points to 3. Physical fitness was lacking in most of the teams but some good handling was seen, part hui ari y by the Maroa team. It is eaily in the season yet to try to gauge the form of the five teams playing in the Taupo Sub-Unions area. But taking a line through these ten-a-side matches v/hich were all closely contested, a bright season is in prospect. Garrett Shield. The matches for the Garrett Shield, the chief trophy of the Taupo Sub-Union commenced last Sunday and these series will be reported in our next issue.