PUKETOI BEATS TAUPO BY 2-POINT MARGIN

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 285, 25 July 1957, Page 12

PUKETOI BEATS TAUPO

BY 2-POINT MARGIN

In perfect weather and on a hard, fast surface, the Taupo representatives were defeated at Taupo last Saturday by 14 points (a goal, a try and two penalties) to 12 (three tries and a penalty) by the Puketoi division of Bush Sub-Union. The game was very fast and open and one which delighted the spectators. Both packs of forwards kept the game loose, and the backs made every effort to keep the ball moving about. At least half of the movements continued right out to the wings. Play fluctuated from one end of the field to the other with very few lineouts. The serums finished about even, so that both backlines had equal opportunity. LESSON IN SUPPORT Puketoi's forwards were very lively and were into every thing; serums, rucks and back movements. It was not uncommon to see two or three green-and-gold forwards filling in as extra men in back attacking move- | ments. H. Herbert specialised in this j department. When McHardy scored there were five forwards up with him to give ; him support, but not one defender. j Peachy, Speedy, Sweeney and Herbert were always in the thick of it. By the end of the game the Taupo pack were beginning to wilt, for in trying to match the visitors at their own game they found the pace too much for them. They did function well as a loose unit and for loose rushes were far more dangerous than the opposition. Kapua and Koopu were a great j eombination in bursting through, j with one or the other always in | support. Some of Taupo's drive appeared to go after Koopu went out on to the wing when Purcell left the field in 1 the second spell. Hay and Haurini played solidly and toiled throughout the game. THEY LACKED POLISH The Taupo backlirie looked to be more resoureeful than the green-and-gold, yet they still iack that final polish. Too often the inside members hung on that shade too long, so that often Purcell and Grace were rubbing shoulders along the sideline. Malcolm was clever and elusive j and made some nice breaks. Balmforth played as well as ever. Nepia performed the task of fullback very well, and made very few mistakes. There was little to choose between him and Gilbert, his opposite number.

Small did not appear to have many opportunities to showT his ability. Speedy was most noticeable for the way in which he straightened up the backs so that his outside men had ample room in which to move, McHardy made a good effort first five-eighth and showed himself to be a heady, strong runner. Teams.—' Taupo : M. Nepia, W. Purcell, L. Erickson, R. Grace, L. Balmforth, J. Malcolm, B. Simons, G. Kapua, G. Koopu, P. Hay, P. Haurini, J. Habib, A. Grey, D. Woodward, R. Hoko. Reserve, C. Breeds. Puketoi: H. Gilbert, T. Warren, A. Herbert, J.Small, R. Speedy, D. Mffiardy, G. Whitter, P. Robbie, W. Peachy, P. Sweeney, H. Herbert, D. Ferrick, P. Speedy, J. Hart, L. Seymour. FIVE IN SUPPORT Taupo opened the scoring when Kapua sent Malcolm through a gap, and he in turn fed Balmforth for the latter to race around and score. McHardy evened up when Whitter sent him off, and he had the luck to break a tackle, although off balance, and then with five forwards in support, go over. Small converted. Small was given another chance shortly afterward with a penalty, and he made no mistake. Kapua again sent the backs off when he gave Balmforth a long pass, Balmforth made the opening and then sent Purcell in. Koopu was given a penalty which he placed between the posts, and Taupo were back in front by 9 points

to 8. Puketoi retaliated in the second spell and when the ball went loose over Taupo's goal-line, Whitter was there. Kapua made a great run around a scrum, and as he went over he lost the ball, but Simons was there to score. With time running out, Small placed another penalty between the posts and Puketoi had won by 14 points to 12. Mr F. Harding was the referee. Curtain-raiser: High School 3rd XV 11, Primary 1st XV 5.