Athletic now leads shield, points battle

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 50, 25 June 1974, Page 14

Athletic now leads shield, points battle

Athletic continued on its winning way to take the lead in the Garrett Shield Rugby competition when it defeated Tihoi 15-7 last Saturday.

Athletic has eight points, Taupo six and Tihoi and C.O.B. share third place with four points each. As a result of its loss to C.O.B. last Saturday, United — with two points — trails the field. Athletic leads Taupo, which had the bye, for the points trophy as well as the Homefield Trophy. However, Athletic has the bye next Saturday and Taupo has the chance to draw level if it can beat C.O.B. United will play Tihoi at Tihoi in the other fixture. ATHLETIC V TIHOI Athletic looked set for a comfortable win when it lead Tihoi 12-3 at half-time and was still well in command halfway through the second spell. However, a shock score by B. Albert saw a rejuvenated Tihoi stage an all- out bid for victory. It almost succeeded, too, for with time running out and the score at 12-7, N. Kydd, the Tihoi fullback, entered a backline move to cross over in the corner and was well on his way through a bewildered defence for the goal posts when the whistle went. Referee Mr G. Stewart then confounded the Tihoi team and those spectators in line with the move by ruling for a forward pass. This decision was a shattering blow to the chances and morale of the Tihoi team and for the remaining minute or so its play slumped noticeably. In that time Athletic were awarded a penalty which K. Murphy kicked to make the final score 15-7. Athletic fully deserved its win ' for it looked the far better team on the day. Its forwards controlled play in the loose, the mauls and the line-outs and were able to give their, back line far cleaner possession. Its backs, too, were a far more solid and reliable unit than was Tihoi's. Though not as dangerous with the ball in hand, the tactical kicking of its midfield backs was at times most embarrassing for the Tihoi cover defence. The Tihoi forwards could not gain the clean possession its backs needed and, besides this, it sorely missed half back, B. Rota, who is out with an injury. . The two half backs tried on the day had no answer to the Athletic loose forward harassing and as a result, the back line rarely functioned with its usual dash. For Athletic, McGill, Dagger, Story, Van der

Leden and Marriner all played exceedingly well, while T. Clarke was the outstanding player of a very steady and reliable back line. I. Mollison, on the wing, also showed out well and displayed great courage when scoring a try after a very heavy tackle earlier on. For Tihoi, Tahere, Skiffington, Latimer and Reweti toiled hard in the tight. The loose forward trio of Stewart, Cassidy and Andrews, defended desperately when under pressure for much of the game. B. Albert and Kydd were once again outstanding in the Tihoi backs. Athletic's points came from tries by Foden and Mollison. Murphy con,verted these and kicked a penalty. Besides Albert's try, M. Rata kicked a penalty for Tihoi. C.O.B. V UNITED C.O.B. proved far too strong for United in all phases of play and the 8-0 score rather flattered the losers. The C.O.B. forwards dominated line outs and rucks and were able to give

its backs all the ball they needed. Had its backs elected to run the ball and use its speedier three quarters more often, the score would probably have been much greater. The United forwards did not work as a team and their efforts were usually individual ones with the more promising moves petering out for want of support. As a result of receiving very little ball and often slow possession, the United backs were never allowed time to move with their usual flare, especially as their markers were very quick up on defence. C.O.B. forwards, Evans, G. Wall, Tawera and Northcroft were very solid in their rucking and tight play and showed up with powerful drives. Its backs resorted to playing it safe most times, with first- five Wall kicking well for his forwards. For United, Palmer, Hickey and Dewes toiled hard throughout and S. Broughton and K. Rameka tried hard in the backs. For C.O.B. G. Wall and A. Northcroft scored tries. Under 19 results: Athletic 12, Taupo 3. Taupo College 28, United 0.