COB BEAT UNITED; TAUPO OVERWHELM TIHOI ON DAY OF BITTER COLD WINDS

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 60, 3 August 1965, Page 1

COB BEAT UNITED; TAUPO OVERWHELM TIHOI ON DAY OF BITTER COLD WINDS

Surprises were the order of the day for Saturday's two major senior club Rugby matches when COB beat United by 6- — 0 at the Domain and Taupo gave Tihoi a severe 22 — 10 thrashing out of town. COB and United had to battle against a common enemy — the freezing, biting wind which made conditions most unpleasant. COB never looked like being beaten as they held the competition leaders off'with a sturdy defence, scoring two penaities by fullback P. Harrison from United infringements near the twentyfive.

United had the benefit of the strong wind in the first spell but, although winning a major share of scrum and lineout possession, the backs failed to show penetration and the forwards strangely lacked their usual verve and bustling drive. United were penalised after three minutes in the first spell in a handy position outside the twenty-five and Harrison gave COB the lead by placing the penalty. COB spent most of the first spell in their own half with the loose forwards magnificent in breaking up opposition back attacks. After the changeover, it was COB's turn to push the United side back with the help of the wind and another Harrison penalty was successful after, 22 minutes. It was not a day for dashing back-play and the lineouts tended to be rather untidy. United packed an excellent scrum with C. A. Williams hooking swiftly and with good support in the pack from J. Tawera, T. Pitiroi, R. Rhyder and D. Rameka. COB forwards won the day, thanks to fast-moving forwards B. Moore, C. Crowther, T. Ngamutu and P. Northcroft. P. Harrison and winger A. Whetu showed out in the backline. TAUPO 22, TIHOI 10 Taupo, playing with 13 men, crushed Tihoi ■ in a scintillating exhibition at Tihoi to win by 22 — 10. Taupo scored five tries, two conversions and a penalty to Tihoi's two converted tries. For Taupo P. Hobdell, R. Chase and M. Gibbons were outstanding in the backline, Hobdell scoring three tries and Gibbons scoring once, kicking a penalty and two conversions. R. Shaw, L. Draper, K. Roper and P. Ellery worked tirelessly in the pack, gaining plenty of ball from set play.