B.O.P. Maori Team Has 18-5 Win In Scrappy Match

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 19 July 1957, Page 5

B.O.P. Maori Team Has 18-5 Win In Scrappy Match

In a scrappy game ihe Bay of Pienty Maoris showed their paces over the last 30 minutes to ramp home the winners by 18 PQints (three goals and a try) to five (a goal) against Hawke's Bay Maoris. The largest erowd In the history of rugby in Taupo was on the Domain to see this f match, yet there was still pienty of room. The official number who passed through the gate was 857. Bay of Pienty had a speedy backline, and once they had overcome faulty handling they gave the crowd 20 minutes of exhilarating football. Wilson and Morrison in particular showed brilliance. Wilson was adept at crossing over from left wing behind an attacking movement and receiving the reverse pass, which threw the opposition completely off balance. In one of these moves he took the ball, kicked through and then retook the ball at speed to crosskick for B. Raymond to score. Gray showed up only once, and when he did elect to go solo he carved through the black-and-white to score what looked like the easiest of tries after a 25 yard run. Two Good Forwards Maniapoto and Anderson were two of the best forwards on the ground, and their lineout work and general all-round play was very good. Brown won three tight heads, from one of which Keepa worked the blind to score. # Keepa was the master-mind behind all movements and his long passes found Gray every time. Only poor handling and forward passes spoilt many a promising movement for most of the game.

Morgan as fullback for Hawke's Bay was brilliant. He was always there, he stopped rush after rush, and deverly eluded the charging blue-and-gold to find touch. His mark in front of three forwards was a classic. Balmforth was not given many opportunities, but when he was he made strong runs and gained ground. The inside backs did not get going. Their handling was poor and when they did handle, they kicked far too often and starved the wings. Koopu, Allen Shone B. Simon was not having the best of days with Raymond and Maniapoto breaking around fast, but he mostly got the ball out to his first. D. Eru was most promising when he replaced Simon in the dying stages. Koopu and Allen, each in their own department, shone. Koopu in the lose, and Allen with his lineout work. R. Kapua was going well until forced to retire, but G. Walker, who took his place, was not found wanting. H. Hiha was a master at obstruction in the lineouts, but his loose play , was good, and from one of his efforts he scored the only try for Hawke's Bay. Scorers for the Bay of Pienty were Keepa, B. Raymond, Gray and MacPherson. Morrison converted three. Hiha scored and Walker converted for Hawke's Bay. Mr L. Hughes was the referee. Before the game commenced the Tu wharetoa Youth Club from Tokaanu gave items, and the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs J. E. Story were introduced to the players. Mr R. Morehu was in charge of entertainment and organisation. After the match the teams were taken to the Waipahihi Pa, where they were fed f The Tai Rawhiti team for the Prince of Wales match was announc- » ed and G. Koopu and R. Kapua were selected. L. Balmforth is an emergency.