Nepia Cup Held By Taupo

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 56, 20 July 1965, Page 7

Nepia Cup Held

By Taupo

Taupo Maoris withstood a tremendious late bid by Wairoa Maori (sub-Union Rugby representatives on SUnday to gain an exciting 22 — 20 victory and so hold the prized George Nepia Cup, symbol of Maori sub-Union supremacy in the Hawke's Bay, Nepia himseif watched the game from the jsideline. Shorly after half-time Taupo led by 14 — 3, and a little later increased this lead to 22 — 9 with 15 minutes of play remaining. Taupo received a severe jolt after relaxing their pressure somewhat and a revitalised Wairoa side flashed back to score three further tries in the space of nine minutes. Taupo scored two goals, three tries and a penalty to

Wairoa's one goal, four tries and a penalty and these statistics indicate the closeness of the game. Most of the 10 tries came from loose play and quick capitalising on opposition mistakes. Taupo were never headed by the visiting side and for a long period before and after the changeover held command of the game. Stars in the home baekline which functioned better as individuals than as a unit, were left winger L. Balmforth and centre T. Albert, both scoring a brace of tries apiece. Taupo's pack tended to play in bursts and towards the end, little cover defence or vigorous rucking was apparent. G. Koopu jumped with purpose and suecess at No. 2 in the lineout, gaining most of the home team's ball in this department, well assisted in the loose by G. Blake and D. Rameka. Solid locks R. White and T. Ngamotu toiled assidu-

ously in the tight, the former collecting a deserved try to open the scoring after a break by Koopu. B. Albert moved quickly to the tackle and in chasing kicks ahead, while C. Williams and J. Wall more than held their own in the front row for three-quarters of tlie game. Fullback P. Harrison had a most successful day with sound positional play and a sizeable amount of hard defensive tackling. Winger Jj. Balmforth played his finest game of the season with his deceptite outward swerve

and subtle change of pace to score twice and set up another. T. Albert, the "iron man" of Taupo Rugby tackled vigorously and showed pace to collect two tries, a just reward for effort and peak fitness. Wairoa looked to be done after half-time, but when least expected tore bacL with a vengeance to almost pull off a shock vctory. Their forwards gained plenty of ball from lineouts and scrums and in the set play the advantage slightly favoured the greenjerseyed Wairoa team. Scorers: — Taupo: Tries, L. Balmforth (two), T. Albert (two), and R. White; G. Koopu, two conversions and a penalty. Wairoa: Tries, C. Smith (two), T. Thompson, A. Aranui and H. Kapene; R. Paku one conversion and a penalty.