MIXED FORTUNES IN RUGBY MATCH AGAINST RUAPEHU

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 36, 11 May 1965, Page 1

MIXED FORTUNES IN RUGBY MATCH AGAINST RUAPEHU

In a game of mixed and fluctuating fortunes, Ruapehu scored a deserved 9 — nil win over the Taupo senior representative Rugby side in Sunday's main Bomain attraction. Ruapehu made a clean sweep on the day with their junior team registering a meritorious 14 — 8 victory over the local fifteen. • | The main game from the Taupo spectators' point of viewr wras a shade disappointing after the first 10 minutes of play had yielded great promise of attack. Lack of fitness told its tale in the second speil and the handling and tackling by the rearguard was below its usual efficient stand- | ard. At half-time there was still no score and the local side looked to have a fair chance of victory, but this was not fulfilled. Ruapehu made fewer mistakes, tackled and ran hard with the ball, and were definitely superior in backing up and in getting quickly in foree to the loose ball. This enabled them to maintain a slight superiority for three-quarters of the game. Four experienced King

Country representatives gave added power and experienee to the winning team in which fullback, K. George, second five-eighth, J. Mcllroy, flanker, M. Rush, and prop, R. Parr, stood out. Possession from scrums and lineouts favoured Ruapehu only by the barest of margins, but it was the loose play and hunting as a pack that proved their trump card. Taupo, who this Saturday meet Central Haw'ke^s Bay on sub-Union day at j Napier, looked to possess plenty of potential, despite weakness and changes in the team brought abont by injury. Considerable pace was wident in the backline, ar»ri vith the avaU^mnty of T. feuru and T. Albert, good jse should be made of the ^all gained by the vanguard. Taupo fullback P. Harri-

son played a competent game with sound defence and excellent positional play and line kicking. M Gordine jumped at every strav chance which came his way while T. ,Nixon, C Wai! and B. Albert toiled honestly in the forwards. It was unfortunate that L. Moana, R. Darlington and P. Hobdell were injur ed in the first spell; being replaced by A. Walker, J. H. Wall and L. Balmforth respectively. Mr R. Dixon was the referee. Ruapehu 14, Taupo 8 Taupo led 5 — 3 at the ehangeover in the junior game, but allowed itself to be bustled into errors, and thanks to a splendid exhibition by opposing captain and first five-eighth, C. Thomas, in kicking two penalties and a field goal, went down narrowly in a fast-moving game. W. Rewa, J. Simmonds. J. Delany, M. Casey and P. Christiansen worked hard to mlly Taupo in the second spell, but lack of team. cohesion prevented more points being scored. For Taupo J. Simmonds scored two tries, W. Rewa one conversion.