PRIMARY BOYS RAISED FUNDS TO SEND ROSS SHIELD TEAM AWAY

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

PRIMARY BOYS RAISED FUNDS TO SEND ROSS

SHIELD TEAM AWAY

PlayerS In the Taupo primary school Rugby team may be proud of their effort-s last Saturday. In the morning, witli tlie co-operation of Mr .T. W. Birnie, who provided a truck, and Mr 31. Nicholas, who drove it, they took part in a bottle collectibn, and so provided the funds for tlie Taupo Ross Shield team's forthcoming visit to Waipukurau. Residents co-operated in giving over 300 dozen bottles. In the afternoon, a short time after completing their bottle drive, the Taupo players took the field against a strong combined fifteen from Wafiii, Tauranga-Taupo and Waitahanui Schools. It was a good game. THOSE WHO SHONE In the first half it seemed that the greater weiglit of the Combined team would prove tlie winning factor. With the wind hehind them they scpred two good tries. Centre Maurice Downes rau through tlie Taupo side to score in a handy position, but there was no conversion. Then .Tohn Moreliu chased a loose kick, picked up expertly, and dived over in the corner. Bob Simon was getting the ball from — tlie line-outs, and his brother Monty

was hooking his share from the scrums. John Duff, Of Waihi, appeared a safe first five-eightli, and Ivan Karaitiana a dangerous second, tliough had he let the ball out more often, his play would have heen more effective. In the second spell, the Taupo boys played with a new determination wliich won them the game. Courageously the forwards wore down their heavier opponents, and played as a pack. Each oue worked hard, but in particular 3Ianu Blake tackled well. 1 ludley Smith was always after tlie ball, and Maleolm AVallace played a veteran's game at number eight. Given much of the ball by these forwards, tlie Taupo backs made good use of it. Maurice Ohase played well, while Joe Rakatau outside him made some good runs and scored two wellearned tries. Bill Thomson also scored for Taupo. The game ended on an exciting note, for in the last minute the Combined team seemed eertain to score several times, follov ing good runs by Solomon Rameka, I. Karaitiana, and Mutu Samtiels. It is to their credit that defending as a team, the Taupo boys were able to stop them each time. Tlie game ended when Warren Howearth thumped the ball to tlie side-line, and Taupo won 0-0.