TWICE RUNNING TAUPO JUNIORS TAKE TOP TROPHIES OF YEAR

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 287, 8 August 1957, Page 10

TWICE RUNNING TAUPO JUNIORS TAKE TOP TROPHIES OF YEAR

Tongariro have reached the final of the senior knockout by virtue of their 17-14 win over College Old Boys at HirangL United came with a late run to defeat Wairakei 19-9, and so meet Taupo in the seini-final next Saturday. Taupo juniors proved their superiority when they held off a strong ehallenge by Maroa and beat them 5-3 for the Baumberg Cup. This gives Taupo their second year of holding the three main junior trophies — the Vedder Shield, the Baumberg Cup, and the

champion of champions' Waikato-Spa Shield.

The weather was cool with occasional showers and both games at Taupo were scrappy. Poor kicking was a f ea ture of both games. At Hirangi a very, hright, open and elean game of Rugby was witnessed. I). Eru (C.O.B.) may well be stood down.by liis club for the rest of the season. During the first half liis coaeli indicated that he was standing offside. Eru took offence, and tolcL the eoaeh that if he wanted to play then he could come.on. Eru did not return to tlie field at the resumption oi' play, with the result that College Old Boys played the se•(>11 d si>ell with onl-y 14 meu. G. Koopu and J. 3Ialcolm were ihe outstanding players on the field. JUNIOR KNOCKOUT FINAL Taupo kicked off with the advantage of a strong corner-to-eorner wind, and within three niinutes Percival was attempting a penalty with wliich he was unsuccessful. The blaek-and-white forwards, led by Darlington and MacKay, went deep into Maroa territory, and from the i-esultant loose ball Isaac dived over to score. Percival converted. Hodge led several maroon attacks, lmt. each time tlie Taupo defence held. Taupo b rough t play back to midfield aird then a kick by Reid found Galvin handling a rebound from Hetaraka, but Percival missed with the kiek. Maroa incurred a further penalty for handling in a ruck, but again the wind carried the ball outside. Macken took the next penalty, but tlie ball never looked as if it were travelling in tlie right direction. SURPRISE DECISION G. Galvin set liis backs in motion and the ball travelled out to B. Galvin, who made a strong 40 yard run liefore being bund led into touch. Darlington, Percival and MacKay brought play back into araroa territory, where the niaroons incurred a further penalty. Percival took tlie kick. The wind carried the ball between the posts and just over the bar, but to the amazement of all both linesmen waved it as unsuccessful. The referee and the kicker were diagonal to tlie posts, so that the referee could not be eertain. He relied upoit the linesmen and accepted their decision. Maroa enjoyed the territorial advatitage for the last 10 minutes of the lialf, but the Taupo defence held. The second spell was all Ma roa \s, for they kept Taupo penned up in their own half for most of the time, except

for occasipnal forward forays which penetrated deep into the maroon area. The first break came Maroa's way when they were given a penalty almost in front, and Hetaraka made no mistake. This gave fresh heart to Maroa, but Taupo defended stubbornly. Tlie wind which had died down at the cliangeover now fresheued for the last 10 minutes, but Maroa were tiring and could not take full advantage of it. They kept pressing, but Reid and Crowther were playing well on defence, and time after time sent the maroon jerseys back 20 or more yards. Reid, Iiyder and Braddock were tlie best of Taupo's backs, whilst Percival, MacKay and Darlington were the pick of their forwards. Hodge for Maroa was outstanding, especially in the lineouts. He was in everything and atways ready to turn defence into attack. Barnett, Temoananui and Pirangi were there to help him. G. Galvin, B. Galvin and Paul went well, but lacked that, essential finisli.