Cambridge and Taupiri Draw

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6093, 25 August 1947, Page 5

Cambridge and Taupiri Draw

FINLAY CUP MATCH RUGBY AT MEMORIAL PARK There was a fair attendance at Memorial Park on Saturday/when the Cambridge senior representative team played a 12-all draw Taupiri in a Finlay Cup gam4. Ground conditions were ideal, but a strong wind handicapped players. In the circumstances, ithe ..fame produced Rugby of a higlkstSndard, and maintained the interest of spectators throughout. / The teams were.—Cambridge: D. Paterson, R. Arnold, D. Reeves, G. Brunskill, Vf. Bartlett, V. Miller, T. Arnold K/Arnold, Reese, Walkdr, Fletchev'Ogilvy, A. Arnold, Drabble. ■ Taupiri: E. Burke, I. Boyes, J. O’Hearn, B. Mexted, R. Otter, T. Parsonage, D. Morris, H. Lewell, J. Garnham, R. Wilson, K. Hames, C. Seath, H. Grant, E. Catley, M. Taylor. Cambridge attacked early, Miller, W. Bartlett, Brunskill and G. Bartlett handling well to within 10 yards of Taupiri’s line. A second thrust

resulted in Boyes tackling Reeves solidly. The Cambridge forwards, led by K. , Arnold, Drabble and A. Arnold .maintained the pressure. After six minutes of play a badly judged clearing kick by a Taupiri forward was fielded by Reeves, who steadied himself and kicked an excellent field goal. Cambridge 4; Taupiri 0. Taupiri rallied and a stab-kick by O’Hearn harassed the Cambridge defence, Paterson clearing. From a set scrum, Taupiri hooked clearly, the backs handled smoothly and Boyes raced round Reeves to score an unconverted try wide out. Cambridge 4, Taupiri 3. Taupiri continued to make play. Ogilvy and K. Arnold figuring prominently on cover defence. Faulty defence among, the Cambridge backs enabled O’Hearn to weave his way through and send Boyes across for his second try after 25 minutes play. The kick failed. Taupiri 6, Cambridge 4. • The rugged Taupiri pack, with Taylor, Seath and, Catley to the fore, smashed its' way , through to renew its assaults. , The visitors soon scored again, the back-line handling in polished fashion for O’Hearn to give Mexted the overlap, the winger diving across for a grand try which was not converted. Taupiri 9, Cambridge 4. Scissors passing between Parsonage and Boyes baffled the Cambridge defence, and Paterson made a timely save. Cambridge swung to the attack and K. Arnold burst through spectacularly and passed to Drabble. The two players exchanged passes for Arnold to make a brilliant run and crash through the defence to score a splendid try as he dragged one defender across the line. Brunskill missed. The half-time score was:

Taupiri 9, Cambridge 7. The second half opened sensationally. Fletcher and Ogilvy led the Cambridge forwards to the attack, of play resuming. Brunskill converted. Cambridge 12, Taupiri 9. The Cambridge forwards, playing vastly improved football, renewed their assaults; the Arnold brothers, Drabble and Fletcher invariably being to the fore. A penalty kick in a handy position was missed by Brunskill. Catley and Taylor led the Taupiri forwards in an effective rush which gained relief. The Taupiri backs were always dangerous in possession but grand cover defence by K. Arnold and A. Arnold drove the attack infield where it was smothered. Reeves and Drabble retired injured in the closing stages, Watt and Kidd being the replacements. Although Cambridge attacked almost incessently in the second half, back movements lacked finish. A. bad pass by Brunskill to G. Bartlett enabled O’Hearn to break through and make a great run. He outpaced Paterson and. crossed for a fine try as he was tackled from behind by K. Arnold. The kick failed. 'Taupiri 12, Cambridge 12. Ten minutes remained for play, during which period Cambridge held the territorial advantage. One; fine movement by the Taupiri backs culminated in Boyes being pushed into touch five yards from the line. A great run by Taylor also went unrewarded. But A. Arnold, T. Arnold and Walker led the Cambridge vanguard clear and Tdupiri was haird on defence when time sounded with the score: Cambridge 12, Taupiri 12. Mr C. R, Gillies '(Hamilton) was the referee.,

The Cambridge “B” team, which visited Taupiri was defeated by 6 points to 3 in a hard, even game. Cambridge’s points came from a try by R. Towgood. The Cambridge third grade representative team visited Matamata and challenged for the Cucksey Cup. The game resulted in a draw, each “earn scoring three points. The Cambridge team showed excellent form and was unlucky not to win. Its points were scored by R. Fell, who kicked a penalty goal. V****~JWr-" •* *' *