THE RUGBY SEASON

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 23, 18 June 1952, Page 2

THE RUGBY SEASON

GARRETT SHIELD Waitahanui .... 6 United 0. Oruanui beat Hydro by default. The wet weather and a slippery ball prevented open play on June 8 j when the 3rd. series of the 1st. round | of the Garrett Shield was set down for decision. Unfortunately Hydro failed to meet their obligations when they were expected to travel to Oruanui and they gave the latter team a walk-over.

The only match played, therefore. was that between Waitahanui & Hydro, & !iis was stopped by the referee ten minutes before full time when some of the United players questioned his decisions. The referee awarded the game to Waitahanui with the | scores Waitahanui 6, United 0, and i his decision was confirmed at a meeting of the sub-union later in the week. Waitahanui won the greater share of the ball, largely through the superior hooking of Martin Mihinui, who suceeded in raking the ball back even when his side was losing ground in the scrums. The Waitahanui fiveeighths made good use of long kicks downfield throughout the game and strong runs were made by T. and M. Walls, but no scores resulted from these movements. The United backs had two opportunities to cross their opponents line, but these movements failed because of poor handling and indecision among their team.

J. Wall, a Waitahanui front row forward first raised the flags when United were penalised for off-side play on their own twenty-five. Then ten minutes before full-time United J were again penalised this time on j their own goal line for shepherding, and with his second kick, J. Wall scooped a lucky one over the bar. It was at this stage that several United players abused the referee. Mr Harding promptfy closed the game and awarded it to Waitahanui as the scores indicate. In spite of a considerable amount of kicking, the crowd witnessed an even struggle. Joe Habib, the United centre-three-quarter, although receiving little of the ball, caused the opposing team to remember the golden rule for a tackle — go low. With the ball in hand he fended off several lefenders before being lowered. However his opportunities were few because his side was not getting the ball. Possession is the decidinr factor in a game and this was the only differenee between these two teams playing ability. A good back is not seen if he does not receive the ball.

A meeting of the committee of the sub-union was called during the week to receive, and discuss the referee's report on the match and also a letter from the United Club. The committee fully supported the referee's decision, and allowed the result to stand in accordance with the above figures. garrktt shield match es United 26 State Hydro „ 0 Fair weather on Saturday May 31 was a welcome stranger when United played their first game in the Garrett Shield competition against State Hydro. State Hydro fielded a considerably weakened team, owing to olayers absent for the holiday week-

end. This did not give spectators a true indication of the ability of the United team, as Hydro had no chance against the United threequarters, partieularly Joe Habib jand Wally Kupa. Early in the first half United hooked the ball inside Hydro territory resulting in a good try by Kupa, who had a clear run-in after Joe Habib had beaten the opposition. The kick failed, and ten minutes later the same movement saw Kupa cross for another try ,which was not converted. Duke Rameka cut in neatly to score under the posts and this time Robert Rameka made no mistake with the kick. United 11 Hydro .... 0. j The second half saw Joe Habib I take command and rattle up three ; tries in a row, none being converted. j Furbher points for United came when Robert Rameka goaled from a penalty and Shany Kereopa scored from a forward rush. United 26, Hydro 0 United forward s appear to be ihe usual good pack fielded every season, partieularly in loose work. In the backs, Joe Habib a strong running centre, and W. Kupa, wing, were always a menace to their opposites. (P. Kahia, G. Vedder and C. Geoghan executed several good saves for Hydro, with out which the score might have been 50 to nil. Jack Westhall was the only forward of note in the Hydro pack. \Mr K. Rameka was referee. fNote.^ — We regret tihat $his report reached the Editor too late for inclusion in last week's issue of the "Times".]

Promising Young Footballer. In .its report. of the inter-provincial representative Rugby match played at Palmerston North on the Queen's Birthday between Wellington and /danawatu, the Dbminion stated that honours for the game were stolen by three quickbreaking Manawatu forwards, one of the three mentioned being Mr Raymond Young, son of Mr and Mrs K. E. Young, of Taupo. Prior to the game it had been assumed that Wellington, wdth four All Blacks and several provinciaf reps., in its team, would not have a difficult job to defeat Manawatu, Manawatu, however, won by 12 to nil, the first of its. four tries being scored by Ray Young, who also shared in the scoring of the final try. The Manawatu Reps., drew their first game of the season, against Wanganui, 14 all. 'Ray Young played in the Taupo Primary Schoo! District representative team in the Ross Shield Competition in Hawkes Bay two years in succession, 1944 and 1945. In 1948 and 1949 he played breakaway in the King?s College. First XV, and this season has been selected with three other Massey College senior players for the Manawatu Reps.