Wednesday, August 8th 1973

Putaruru 7, Ngaruawahia 3

Waikato Division 2

A convincing 7-3 win over Ngaruawahia by home-side Putaruru was the order of the day last Saturday. Putaruru scored twice in the first half within 15 minutes of the kick-off, the second of which was kicked out of the hands of the keeper. The home team looked well on top over a slower Ngaruawahia pack. Missing keeper Rex Nightingale and Geoff Brunning, Ngaruawahia had to field a side considerably weaker than that against Otorohanga in the previous week. Ian Todd deputised in goal and was given a torrid time by the Putaruru forwards. The only defensive player of note was Steven Mark who had to cover twice the area required of him because of the weakness of the defence in other positions. Early in the game Bill Burston was badly injured but, because of the lack of reserves, remained on the field until well into the second half. Sandy MacDonald opened the score for Ngaruawahia by netting from 25 yards out. He also found the corners, dropping them where he wanted them and it was not too long before George Sunnex headed in a corner to equalise. Steven Hayward headed a MacDonald corner in the second half and that was the end of Ngaruawahia’s goals, although they came close on three more occasions; twice when Neil Gorman had only the keeper to beat, and once when a chip-shot by MacDonald was palmed over the bar. Putaruru netted their five goals easily, showing their ease in beating the sagging Ngaruawahia defence in the second half.