TIHOI NARROW UNITED'S GARRETT SHIELD LEAD WITH CLOSE 9-8 WIN

Taupo Times, Volume XII, Issue 52, 6 July 1965, Page 5

TIHOI NARROW UNITED'S GARRETT SHIELD LEAD

WITH CLOSE 9-8 WIN

In a tough, rugged and often ftery encounter, Tihoi nari'owed United's Garrett Shield lead from four points to two when they lasted long enough to scrape home 9 — 8 in Saturday's leading Domain club game. Taupo appeared very lueky to come from behind and overhaul COB to score a 13 — 12 victory in the earlier curtain-raiser. United still remain the premier team in an even quartet, two points ahead of Tihoi, oue back again to Taupo and a further three to COB. Tihoi carried all the big guns in the opening half and used them well to sneak away to a 9 — nil lead at half time. Two penalties by fullback B. Rata and a field goal by first-five-eight P. Brown, rocked United back, but it was not long after the interval when United began to throw off their lethargy. There wTas no further score until halfway through the spell when D. Rameka kicked a penalty — Tihoi 9, United 3. Vigorous rucking and hard

tackling was in evidence as United went over for a deserved try in the 29th minute from a dribbling burst close to the Tihoi line. Winger S. Rutene kicked a magnificent sideline conversion to add two vital points to D. Rameka's try and for the next 10 minutes both teams mounted attacks. United received many chances to kick penalties from Tihoi infringements but usually reliable kickers had off days and scoring chances went begging. Tihoi, for three parts of the game, would have been a little .unlucky to lose, however, as the tradesman-like pack crashed through with startling rapidity onto the the loose ball and in follow-ing-up kicks ahead. T. Nixon, B. Albert, J. Rivers and the Scott brothers were always full of well expended energy. B. Albert was the undoubted star forward with swift hooking and panther-like runs with the ball in hand. T. Albert was once again a powerful influence at second five-eighth or centre. His ability to run and side-

step at speed confused the opposing defence and he received capable support from the experienced trio of P. Brown, H. Reihana and B. Rata. United left theii* bid too late, and for most of the game allowed Tihoi to break through the lineouts and gain valuable ground. Chris Williams played his best game of the season with some heady runs in midfield and it was only a powerhouse tackling defence which stopped many exciting backline chain passing movements. H. Wawatai, M. Hurae and C. Williams worked hard to give United mastery in the tight play but often the good deeds were performed by too few men. K. Hurae and D. Rameka became prominent in the serond spell with some intelligent loose forward play and swift backing up. Referee: Mr D. Harris. COB were first to score, led 6 — 3 at half-time and then increased this to 12 — 3 after 15 minutes of play in the second spell, but still succumbed to an in-and-out Taupo side, It was not the brightest

game of the season by any means, a great deal of untidy forward play and poor handling spoiling some fine individual efforts. COB looked to be fairly certain of a win with only 15 minutes to go, but two flashing wingers' tries led to two easy conversions being placed from beside the posts. Taupo scored three tries to COB's one try and three penalties, but the run of play gave COB a decided territorial advantage. V. Dunn, R. Darlington and R. Shaw had their moments in the Taupo forwards with P. Dixon and L. Draper showing up on occasions. R. Chase played a sound five-eighth game and combined well with half-back K. Darlington. Winger N. Rickit and centre T. Ruru gave the COB line plenty of speed and these two spearheaded many attacks with testing runs. B. Simon and U H. Wall applied themselves well in the pack with support from C. Wall, P. Northeroft and T. Ngamotu. Referee: Mr J. Arthurs.