WIN FOR UNITED, BUT MARAETAI DEFAULTED IN FIRST ROSEBOWL GAMES

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 38, 18 May 1965, Page 12

WIN FOR UNITED, BUT MARAETAI DEFAULTED IN FIRST ROSEBOWL GAMES

In the opening round of the Seymour Rosebowl jRugby competition, TTnited made a spirited and plucky recovery to beat Tihoi 16 — 14 in a thrilling climax to Saturday's club game at the Domain. Tihoi looked safe with a 14 — nil lead at half-time and it appeared as if United would be lucky indeed to pull the game out of the I fire. i Making excellent use of a strong, glaring sun United exerted a concentrated attack and scored 16 points in the next 40 minutes, aided by lady fortune and a reliable ally in the sun. Both teams were weakened by the absence of representative players appearing at Napier, United being the severest hit | losing Ij. Rameka, Chris Williams, Charlie Williams and K. Palmer. Tihoi were without regular experienced hooker, B. Albert, and pack-leader and lineout star, T. Nixon. Even allowing for this,

the game sparkled with some rapid changes of play and good handling and drive by the loose forwarcls. Maraetai Forfeit Maraetai was unfortunate in having to forfeit their game against COB, thus conceding the match and the two points which go to the victor. St. Michael's 18, Taupo 9 In a lively junior club fixture played on Sunday at the Domain, the visiting Rotorua club side, St. Michael's added to their lengthy list of wins when they decisively beat a reasonably strong Taupo Club team 18 — 9. The match drew a fair crowd and conditions were perfect as Taupo bustled into the visitors in the early minutes of the game, gaining an early lead with a. successful penalty. The score see-sawed up to half-time with St. Michael's ahead 10 — 6. This 40 minutes playing into the sun contained some of the local side's best football of the game.

The forwards tore through the St. Michael's pack in vigorous pursuit of the ball, but it wasn't long after the interval when the powerful experienced Rotorua side responded gamely to the whip of a slender four-point lead and they scored another two tries to make the game safe. Taupo's vanguard lost a lot of their sting and drive in the latter part of the game and the backs lacked pace close to the scrum and in the three-quarters. Several individuals played solid games; noticeably C. Jacobi, A. Russell and M. McGreevey in the forwards, while E. Simmonds played competently at centre, kicking a snap field goal. Taupo scorers were: M. McGreevey, two penalties; E. Simmonds, field goal. Mr J. W. Arthurs was the referee.