Raetihi 7-aside rugby success

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 275, 21 February 1989, Page 14

Raetihi 7-aside rugby success

The Raetihi Rugby team got off to an excellent start when it became runner-up to Black Attack at the Wanganui Rugby Referee's Associations annual seven-a-side rugby Tournament on Sunday.

Black Attack, a team made up of a selection of representative players from the Wanganui Clubs, easily disposed of their four first rOund rivals and only had to set back and wait for the other teams to sort them-

selves out on their way to a berth in the finals. Raetihi had a major setback when they were drawn to play their first game against their favourite rivals Ohakune and with some brilliant tactical kicking by Lochlan Hard-

ing Ohakune won 14 - 8. However Ohakune were eventually knocked out by Ratana. In the semi finals against a determined Ratana team, Raetihi had a 22 - 6 win and had to rush over to Spriggens Park to play the finals against the well tested Black Attack. The Steve Gor-don-led Raetihi team put up a brave fight against the combined team but lost 18-6. Sixteen year old Regan Sue had a good game in the backs which Gordon controlled well. Kerry Brown, James Renata and Rangi Bishop were still running well especially after playing the five games to reach the final. Other local players of note were youngsters Chris Vine, who turned out for Ohakune and Gerrard Te HeuHeu for Raetihi.