United Now Lead Garrett Shield Competition; COB Beat Taupo 12 Points To 9

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 58, 27 July 1965, Page 1

United Now Lead Garrett Shield Competition; COB Beat Taupo 12 Points To 9

In a close-fought match that had many exciting moments, COB edged ahead of Taupo with an unconverted try in the last five minutes to gain a 12 — 9 win in Saturday 's Domain club Rugby fixture. Out of town, United went back into a Garrett Shield lead with an 11 — 9 win over Tihoi. COB scored two tries, a field goal and a dropped goal from a penalty to Taupo's three tries. Taupo led 6 — 3 at halftime, seoring tries in the tenth and twentieth minutes. COB, after taking a while to settle down in the early stages, perked up considerably in the second spell, sp ending a long and fruitful period in Taupo's territory. Five-eighth J. Retiti kicked a field goal after a quarter of an hour to even the score, and a few minutes later G. Koopu coolly struck a vital blow by kicking a magnificent dropped-goal from a penalty on the half-way mark — a kick of at least 52 yards. Scrum half K. Darlington, a dangerous runner from the base of the scrum, whipped over for his second try to put Taupo back on level terms. For the next 10 minutes, both sets of loose forwards made dashing rushes and it was COB who sewed up the result in the last five min-

utes with a try by the consistently on-form G. Blake. Taupo had its chances with plenty of ball from the scrums thanks to some rapid hooking by L. Draper. The young junior fullback, M. McGreevey, acquitted himself admirably, being safe in positional play, and kicking with length and accuracy to touch. COB overshadowed their opposites in the lineouts and it has been from this phase of play that they have gained much of their possession this season. In mentioning lineouts it must be a noticeable feature for visiting Rugby followers to observe the paucity of true ball-takers in any of the four senior sides. The two leading exponents who impress in this department in nearly every game are COB's G. Koopu and Tihoi's T. Nixon. Taupo now drop back into fourth position on the competition ladder and it seems that unless the pack can instil some concerted drive and fire into their work they will have difficulty in matching and toppling the United and Tihoi forwards in important matches to come in the following three weeks. Scorers: — COB: Tries by G. Blake and T. Ngamotu. J. Retiti and G. Koopu field goals. Taupo: Tries by K. Darlington (two) and P. Hobdell.