Wednesday, June 9th 1976
Top Team in Scoreless Encounter
Waikato 1st Division
Ngaruawahia seemed to be coming into their own, in the top division in their second year of entry after coming through from the seconds in 1975. Following their encouraging victory against Cameron last week they were prepared for the league leader Claudlands Rovers on Saturday. With three top players out through injury and sickness Ngaruawahia nevertheless acquitted themselves well.
All that kept Ngaruawahia from the lead in the first half was the solid keeping of the Rovers goalie. Ngaruawahia had the lion’s share of the shots though keeper M. Liddle was called upon to deflect the hard shot from a breakthrough in the first half.
As Rovers found themselves being matched and even outplayed, tempers began to fray. Two Rovers and one Ngaruawahia player were given their marching orders early in the second half and then it was Ngaruawahia who started to click. A penalty was awarded to Ngaruawahia but the keeper read the shot well and parried it out. This goal may have given Ngaruawahia the match. Shortly after a drive was smothered and scooped off the line by Ngaruawahia keeper Liddle, causing no little disagreement in the Rovers ranks.
Ngaruawahia were disappointed at only gaining the single point but satisfied themselves with taking their first point in two years off Claudlands Rovers.
Ngaruawahia High Defeat Fairfield C
Ngaruawahia High School
Fairfield College “C” team were defeated by Ngaruawahia High School 4-0 in their 3rd Division schoolboy competition.
Te Kuiti suffered a similar fate at the feet of Ngaruawahia in the 2nd division game when team captain A. Bell and S. Prendergast scored doubled and M. Rooney gained a single to gain a 5-0 victory.
The Ngaruawahia High School teams have gained four match points in the third division and six points in the second division from three games each.
Narra Draw with Huntly
Waikato 3rd Division
A very even match was observed between Huntly No. 1 and Ngaruawahia. Play flowed from end to end with close calls at both, and good saves called for from both keepers. Ngaruawahia keeper R. Dennis was injured in a clash with a Huntly forward and S. MacDonald took his place. Following this change MacDonald was called upon to deflect a fine I. Stewart drive, and shortly afterwards T. Anslow, Huntly’s keeper, was called upon for a similar dramatic save. Result 0-0.