RUGBY FOOTBALL

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 30, 6 August 1952, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CrARRETT SHIELD MATCHES United 8, Hydro 0. Waitahanui 35, Oruanui 9. A very disappointing game resultvd when United met Hydro at the Taupo Domain on July 27th. The chief cause of this was a surfeit of line kicking which resulted in no t'ewer than 67 , line-outs, which conipletely spoilt the game. The United team proved definitely superior in the forward game by winning 52 of the line-outs and 34 out of 40 scrums. The first half dragged through, with both teams seemingly sparring, and waiting for openings whilst the game remained mainly in mid-field. The specratorp ceme to expect some Uvely movements from the United team, but there were none here. ( Tomoana kept sending the ball out from the base of the scrum, but bad Iiandling tw the United backs prevented any ground being gained. Just before half time Tomoana worked the blind side, and the ball i went to Habib, who made an opening for P. Kahia to dash over the line pear the corner. A difficult kick went wide and half time came with the score United 3 Hydro 0. When the second half opened, the onlookers exhorted both teams to "bxmk- up and put some sting into it." However, the players seemed to tire rapidly and the game slowed down still furtber right to the end. The United team held the game in Kydro's twenty-five most of this half, and seemed about to score ! several times, but the only occas- | ion on which they met wtih success ; was when R. Kahia received the ball from a line-out and dashed through to touch down near the posts. Shelford received an ovation for his conversion of this try and the game came to an end a quarter of an hour later with the scores, United 8, Hydro 0. WAITAHANUI V. ORUANUI. Waitahanui were visitors to Oruanui, and came away victorious by a similar margin to United's team which travelled, to Oruanui the previous week. For Waitahanui the points were piled on by Rangi Biddle, on the right wing, who scored three tries and converted one, Reg. Ham at centre cut through for two tries, Major Wall and Fred Biddle each scored a try and converted it, whilst - M. Mihinui and J. Wall both obtained tries and T. Wall placed one between the posts. Oranui replied with two penalty goals and a try. When the final whistle blefw •the score was 35 points to 9 in favour of the visitors.