TAUPO LOSE NEPIA CUP TO NAPIER-HASTINGS IN ACTION-PACKED GAME

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 64, 17 August 1965, Page 1

TAUPO LOSE NEPIA CUP TO NAPIER-HASTINGS IN ACTION-PACKED GAME

In a brilliantly fast action-packed game of power Rugby, the NapierHastings Sub-Union's representative Maori team edged its way to a rather lucky 21 — 18 win over their Taupo counterparts before a large crowd in Sunday's Domain fixture. Taupo has relinquished its short hold on the Nepia Cup. It was a gloomy day for Taupo's goal-kickers — scoring six tries to the visitors five, the game was decided on goal-kicking, and it was here that Taupo met its Waterloo. No fewer than nine attempts at goal from conversions and penalty attempts went astray while Napier-Hastings had the fortune to score three tries in handy positions to the posts, making the extra six points a relatively easy affair. The game crackled along at a furious pace with some of the most electrifying movements seen in Taupo this season producing 11 -mighty tries. After an early thrust which produced two quick tries Taupo lapsed into a 20-minute period of weak tackling which allowed the visitors to sneak away to a commanding 13 — 6 lead at half-time. To many watching, it seemed that the drive and J cohesion of the Napier-Hast-

ings forwards would carry them to a comfortable victory, aided by a forceful, al-ert backline which threw the ball around at random.

However, this was not to be, and with a veritable siege, Taupo crashed through with a sustained 30-minute effort to narrow the gap to 18^ — 15 after great work by the tight and loose forwards and some dashing individual breaks by the backs. Loose forwards K. Hurae, D. Rameka and G. Koopu were a striking trio who paved the way for many of the home side's six tries, Hurae scoring one and Koopu two. The front row of Charlie Williams, B. Albert and M. Hurae toiled with plenty of vim against the heavier core of the opposition with locks R. White and J. Wall giving fair support, particularly in the opening phases of each spell. Half-back P. Brown had a quiet day, being content to feed five-eighths L. Tamepo and Chris Williams. Both of these experienced representative players kicked well and made good use of the limited supply of set •ball. Three-quarters L. Balmforth, T. Ruru and T. Albert ran with determination, Albert collecting two deserved tries in dashes for the comer. Fullback P. Harrison linekicked well and faced an unenviable task of stopping many of the bullocking short passing opposition forward rushes. The only noticeable weakness was Taupo's head-high tackling and lackadaisical defence which allowed the victors to romp away for many of their points. Napier-Hastings dominated the lineouts and won plenty of ball from rucks in the first spell to give a penetratrative backline plenty of opportunities to test the Taupo cover defence. Scorers: — Taupo: Tries by G. Koopu (two), L. Balmforth, D. Ra- : meka and T. Albert (two). Hastings: Tries by A. E. ■ Graham, H. Kiel, F. Jones, : E. Morris and K. Crawford. ; E. Mackie kicked three cont versions. Ref.: Mr J. W. Arthurs.