Gallant Taupo Side Loses To Strong Rotorua Team

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 44, 8 June 1965, Page 1

Gallant Taupo Side Loses To Strong Rotorua Team

A strong Rotorua team showed too much combination and pace for a gallant Taupo fifteen and beat it 14—3 before a large crowd in Monday's main Domain Rugby fixture. Conditions ivere decidedly chilly to say the least as a biting, stiff breeze cooled players and those watching.

Gaining a monopoly of possession, Rotorua led 6-nil at half-time with the help of a fayouring wind and a solid-looking eight up front. Taupo struck back for a 15-minute period in the middle of the seeond spell with soine fiery for ward play, but this effort petered out. Rotorua kept up the pressure with some penetrating backline movements to score two more tries before full time. Rotorua's points came from two tries by winger D. Newton, a try by No. 8 T. Waller and a conversion and penalty by fullback van der Leden. Taupo's three points came from a winger's try by M. Gordine after a perfect chain-passing movement. Fullback van der Leden, winger Newton, centre W. Gray and five-eighth E. Whatarau showed experience and solidarity in the winning backline. Newton, especially, became prominent with

a cracking turn of pace to score twice after good midfield work by Gray and Wh atarau. Green hooked brilliantly, winning numerous tightheads while big lock Nicklaus and No. 8 T. Waller controlled the lineouts effectively. Young Taupo half-back K. Darlington played an outstanding game and centre G. Blake ducked and dived with jinking runs to test the Rotorua defence. Ij. Tamepo proved an able tactician close to the scrum, while wingers T. Albert and M. Gordine flashed through quickly to take every opportunity offering.

Flanker A. Walker and lock T. Nixon stood out in the Taupo pack with Walker performing great deeds in the loose and Nixon striving valiantly against taller opposition in the lineouts. Light for ward T. Ngamutu worked honestly in the tight, but received little support from too many of the pack who were inclined to skirt the rucking and show an over-eagerness in loose play. Although receiving little set possession, the -Taupo eight often burst through the opposing lineout and with two or three spectacular rushes shot downfield in passing forays which yielded little luck.