VEDDER SHIELD RUGBY

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 177, 17 June 1955, Page 5

VEDDER SHIELD RUGBY

High School 17, Maroa 8 In the third grade competition last week Taupo District High School defeated Maroa 17-8, and College Old Boys won by default from United. The position ifi the Vedder Shield competition, after four games, is: — High School 6 points, Maroa 4, College Old Boys 4, United 2. The teams were evenly matched in the High School-Maroa game, played on Sunday, and delighted the crowd with good forward play and penetrative back lines. In the first quarter hour play swung from end to end of the field, both sides pressing hard but neither being able to get through. From a loose ruck on School's twenty-five Reid worked clear and kicked deep into Maroa territory where Turetahi, following up, gathered the ball in and scored 15 yards out. School 3, Maroa nil. For the remaimng 15 minutes of the first half the School pack won the majority of line-outs and loose rucks and kept up pressure on Maroa's defence. After 25 minutes play Turetahi propped on Maroa's twentyfive and dropped the ball over the bar. School 6, Maroa nil. Three minutes later Ward crossed-kicked for Dixon to score a doubtful try. School 9, Maroa 0. Maroa dominated play for the first five minutes of the second spell, and from a loose ruck 10 yards in, ahd on the halfway line, Withers raced unopposed for the goal-line, Ratana converting. School 9, Maroa 5. A few minutes later Ratana repeated this move to score wide out. School 9, Maroa 8. The School pack then resumed command of the game and paved the way for School's next two tries. From a loose ruck on Maroa's 25 a quick heel brought the ball from Darlington to Turetahi to fteid, who broke clear, kicked through and won the race for the lihe. Turetahi put the ball between the posts, but due to sun-glare the Jtpuch judges and referee could not agree and no conversion was allowed. School 12, Maroa 8. Maroa fought back but could not penetrate, and again the School forwards pushed Maroa back. Reid again kicked through, to score under the posts, Turetahi converting. School 17, Maroa 8. The whistle went shortly after with the figures unchanged. The whole School pack worked as a unit, with Percival proving a competent leader. Darlington, Turetahi, Reid and Crowther were the more prominent members of the School back line. For Maroa, Wickliffe, Ratana, and Withers were noted. The Maroa team worked as a unit but lacked finishing-off power.