Napier reps hold Taupo — despite last half bid

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 55, 11 July 1974, Page 10

Napier reps hold Taupo — despite last half bid

In an exciting and thrilling match, the Napier representative Rugby team i staved o.ff a strong second half bid by Taupo to win 27-24. In the curtain-raiser the | Taupo under-23 side was far too strong for Napier i and, after leading 17-0at half-time, won the match 25-8. If the Taupo seniors want to win the more important fixtures this winter they will have to find a more reliable kicker for it was this weakness that probably lost them the game. N. Kydd, the number

one fullback, did not play but he, too, is not renowned for his goal kicking. Napier looked easy winners at half-time for its forwards were very quick to the loose ball, with the result that its backs had a feast of the ball. Its backs were much faster than Taupo's and with the ball they received from seeondary play they were able to run in four very fine tries in this half. Two of these tries were taken by an ex-Taupo representative — P. Hopdell — whose speed and willingness to look for play earned him much applause from appreciative spectators. In the second half the Taupo forwards really came to life and slowly began to assume command in all phases of play. By full-time Taupo had added another 20 points to its half-time total, while Napier could only notch another four. Besides Hopdell, other players to stand out for Napier were the midfield backs T. Eddy and W. Heap. Heap at first five was especialjy good; In the forwards G. Gregory, B. Murchison, N. Pullford and B. Evans were prominent for most of the game. For Taupo, E. Harawira, G. Bremer, B. Rickard and J. Tawera toiled hard in the tight, while loose forwards K. Marriner and T. Carter both played exceptionally well when on attack. The Taupo backs were at times a little undecided and their passing when in a

commanding position was a * little too slow, but all played most creditably at times, with K. Darlington and T. Clarke most reliable on defence. Points for Napier came from tries by Hopdell (2), Heap (2) and T. Eddy. Heap kicked a penalty and two conversions. For Taupo, Marriner, Carter, Darlington, van der Leden and Dean scored tries and M. Wood kicked two conversions. In #the under-23 game, Taupo proved far too strong in the forwards where K. Delany and C. Murray s-howed they are much improved in the skills of good, tight forward play gained from experience in senior matches. , B. Kuggeleijn and C. Donaldson, too, were in excellent form in the loose, * espeeially Donaldson, who was in grand form. The best of Taupo's backs were C. Rameka, K. Murphy and W. Nixon. Nixon, the only thirdgrader in the back line, showed that he was in no way overawed by the company and looked the best Taupo back on the field. It will indeed be a pity if more games are not found for this team. Most of the members have been playing against or with much older and experienced seniors and this would be the first + * time they have come up against players of their own age and weight group. For Napier, C. Le Min and J. Stovell scored tries. For Taupo, Rameka, Donaldson, Murphy and Mollison scored tries. K. Murphy kicked three con- , versions and a penalty.