Representative Rugby Augurs Well For Forthcoming Peace Cup Fixture

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 54, 13 July 1965, Page 9

Representative Rugby Augurs Well For Forthcoming Peace Cup Fixture

Taupo mad© no bones about scoring a convincing 24 — 11 win over Hauraki Plains in Sunday's representative Rugby attraction. Taupo led 13 — 3 at halftime and eventually ran up three goals, two tries and a penalty to the Plains' converted try, field goal and penalty. Flanker G. Koopu collected three tries from intelligent following up and being Johnny-on-the-spot when an opportunity occurred. No. 8 A. Walker and centre T. Albert scored one apiece with fullback P. Harrison adding three conversions and a penalty. Hauraki Plans held Taupo's forwards for 30 minutes of the first spell, but lacked scoring power in the backline. Star visitor was fiveeighth S. Ritchie, who scored all his side's points with a try, conversion, penalty and field goal to round off an impressive performance. Taupo took a while to settle down in the opening stages and then again toward the finish they appeared to be coasting a little when leading 24 — 3. However, it was a solid performance by the home team, the backline in particular looking very dangerous. Harrison played a capable game as the last line of defence and picked up nine points with steady goal kicking. The three-quarter line of N. Rickit, P. Hobdell and T. Albert provided plenty of exciting moments with some powerful sideline runs. Evergreen identity "Bailey" Rickit ran with zest and fire, his bumping action thwarting many would-be tacklers. . Second-five L. Balmforth was the genius of former years with some cutting bursts that tore gaping holes in the opposing defence and

first-five L. Tamepo directed play ably, kicking well under pressure from fast breaking forwards. Without king-pin jumper T. Nixon, the forwards lacked lineout possession, G. Koopu and J. Tawera providing the small amount of ball which came Taupo's way. It was in the loose that the home pack excelled and many of the surging handling rushes after breaking away with the loose ball augur well for coming important representative fixtures. Koopu, G. Blake and A. Walker were a destructive loose trio, their influence being shown by the tally of four of the five tries scored. Besides Tawera, J. H. Wall, M. Hurae, T. Ngamotu and L. Draper all demonstrated periods of driving play, the only real fault being the lack of solid rucking and the disappointing habit of lapsing into tranquillity. The Plains never managed to break Taupo's territorial hold on the run of play and only made up for its lack of zip by capitalising on the! few opposition defensive blunders. Although gaining a good deal of possession from set play, the inside backs were quickiy brought to a halt by fast-moving loose forwards and decisive marking by the Taupo backs. As a build-up toward Taupo's first ever challenge for the Peace Cup on September 4, the match proved several key points. There is a sound blending of experience and youth in the backline with the essence on speed. The scoring potential is great but, the suecess or otherwise of the team is dependent upon the pack up front. Too often the forwards have disappointed in previous years, only showing up in infrequent bursts.