THE RUGBY SEASON

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 25, 2 July 1952, Page 1

THE RUGBY SEASON

TAUPO V. TAUMARUNUI DRAWN GAME A representative match between the Taupo Sub-Union and Taumarunui was played at Taupo on June 22 when an even game resulted in a draw. When Taumarunui kicked off, loose play immediately carried the ball deep into Taupo territory, and it was not long before a penalty was awa-rded to the visitors rigbt on the 25 yard line and 10 yards from the touch line, The kick went wide. From then onwards the Taupo forwards began to assei L > themselves and a promising back t movement only came to an end when G. Habib on the left wihg knocked on slightly in taking his pass. Play movecl to the other side of the field, and Taupo continued to apply pressure forcing one of the visitors fto pas^ the ball over his own goal line. The centre-three-quarter collected the pass, but after hesitating was held by a Taupo tackler. His pass to a .olleague wcnt astray and two Taupo j iplayers dashed in to score. The first missed but the second, A. Grey, suceeeded. Loughlin missed with the kick. Taupo were getting possession from the serum s, and when Taumarunui did obtain it, they developed a tendency to back away from their opponents and their handling also was poor. Just before halftime however, Cooper their left wing collected a fortunate bounce from a kick by his centre threequarter, and running strongly outpaced all opposition for nearly half the length of the field to score a splendid opportunist try wide out. The kick was wide and short and the whistle blew immediately for halif-time with the scores even at three points all. Blank Second Half Taupo continued to obtain tlm lion's share of the ball in the second half, but the aefence on iboth sides was close. J. Habib was prominent in two strong rushes, in one of which he was brougbt down flrmly, and in the other his pass was slightly forward. Loughlin also made g? ound oi* occasions but twice parted with the ball, before drawing his man. His serum half, Mihinui, on the other hand was inclined to hold on to the ball too long instead of passing from the base of the serum. In the closing stages Taumarunui backs saw less and less of the ball, but Taupo missed their opportunities and the game flnished with the . scores: Taupo 3 points, Taumarunui 3 points. The Taupo team took the field as follows: fullback, Duke Rameka; three-quarters, R. Crabbe, J. Habib, G. Habib; flve-eighths, M. Wall, J. Loughlin; serum half, T. Mihinui; forwards, W. Baker, M. Mihinui, S. Kereopa; J. Rakei, A. Grey, J. Wall, M. Orr, T. Wall.