High-Scoring BoP Maori Reps Beat Hawke's Bay In Thrilling Rugby Match

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 40, 25 May 1965, Page 2

High-Scoring BoP Maori Reps Beat Hawke's Bay In Thrilling Rugby Match

In one of the most brilliant exhibitions of Rugby seen in Taupo for many years, a powerful Bay of Plenty Maori team completely overwhelmed a Hawke's Bay Maori side 58 — 16 before the biggest crowd seen on the local Domain for several seasons.

It was champagne football at its sparkling best with some bewildering handling movements from backs and forwards. The winning team's combination was a joy to watch as it scorched through the opposition to score eight goals, four tries and two penalties to Hawke's Bay's two goals, one try and a field gfoal. The pace of the game was in evidence right from the kick-off with many of the tries being scored from mov-ements begun on defence. There were several outstanding individual performances from a winning side which did not have a weak link to its name. Speedy winger, J. Goodhue, flashed across for two tries; W. Potae had lady fortune smiling on his stocky frame all day with two tries, six conversions and two penalties to give him a personal tally of 24 points, a magnificent effort. Half-back R. Moore gave rapid, efficient service to Q. Tapsell and W. Gray, who gave their outsides plenty of ball after carving through numerous gaps. In the forwards, none stoood out more than J. Maniapoto, E. Beattie and R. Solomon, with splendid supporting work by lock M. Maniapoto and prop D. Peka. Hawke's Bay's outstanding players were flanker M. Nepia and ftve-eighth T. Mitehell. Local Taupo players in the losing team, T. Ruru, G. Koopu, J. H. Wall and P. Harrison played competently in the rich company. Koopu made one splendid dab which led to a try, but he was handicapped by a bruised shoulder.

Ruru- was unfortunately taken out of the game after only 10 minutes. of play with a cut eye. His short performance stamped him as the most dangerous back in the Hawke's Bay chain. Bay of Plenty dominated set possession, particularly in lineout play, where the Maniapoto brothers reigned supreme. Bay of Plenty led 28 — nil at half-time. Scorers. — Bay of Plenty: Tries by W. Potae, R. Solomon, J. Goodhue (2 each), J. Maniapoto, W. Gray, E. Beattie, Q. Tapsell, S. Wano, M. Doherty (1 each), W. Potae, 6 conversions, 2 penalties. W. Doherty and E. Beattie, one conversion each. Hawke's Bay: Tries by P. Clark, M. Cunningham and T. Mitehell. P. Harrison, one conversion, T. Mitehell one conversion, D. Edwards one field goal. Mr J. W. Arthurs was th-e referee. CURTAIN -RAISER In a game in which scrappy play was rather noticeable, a Taupo Maori team showed superior combination and scoring power over The Rest by 33 points to 11 in Sunday's curtainraiser to the inter-provin-cial Maori match. Taupo Maoris scored eight tries, three being converted and a penalty, to the Rest's one goal, one try and a penalty. The Maori team led 19 — 8 at half-time. There were several good individual performances, but there was little to enthuse over for much of the game. J. Tawera, B. Simon and the Hurae brothers played steady Rugby in the Maori forwards. Centre, G. Blake, second five-eighth, Chris Williams, and wTinger, T. Albert, gave zip and polish to the baekline, the latter scoring three tries. L. Erickson and R. Chase steadied the Rest's backs, while T. Ngamutu and A. Scott battled grimly in the losing pack.