Waiouru play Tainui

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 9 May 1989, Page 5

Waiouru play Tainui

Due to a default by Kia Ora, Waiouru 1 Under 17s Rugby league team combined with Waiouru 2 to play Tainui on Sunday April 30.

What promised to be a hard encounter proved true with Tainui running in the first try shortly after kick off. Stunned, Waiouru took the game to Tainui forcing them to play the game more on its terms. Special mention must be made of the tireless efforts by cadets, K Pernal and R Legg, both players owing total effort as forwards when tackling and taking the ball up. Midway through the first half Tainui were 8nil ahead when Waiouru started to claw their way back, with a well worked try by S Stowers later combining with Cadet Bocock who scored and converted Waiouru's second try. The scrummaging efforts of Waiouru were rewarded with some fine front row hooking by

prop B Wills and hooker R Longley. The half time score was a close 12-10. The first half saw the loss of prop C Prince and lock R Legg through injury. Watching the second

half one could be excused thinking it was an entirely different game, as Tainui tore Waiouru to ribbons. The game plan of Waiouru stopped functioning, and the team allowed the opposition to play its own game. Tackling dried up and all but stopped. Penetrating run's by Turn page 6

Waiouru Foxton draw

Waiouru Bobcats rugby league team looked strong with the best line up seen for quite some time when they met Foxton Rebels at Waiouru, on April 29.

Foxton are the reigning Manawatu Champions, however the way Waiouru took the game to an eventual draw made them look very ordinary. In the first quarter the Waiouru defence was strong with goo play by Kendall Gupwell and Turei White.

A break by Foxton saw them score a try, but three minutes later long striding second rower Max Tekakau scored, and the try was converted by Sonny Tawake. The Foxton team were having difficulty breaking the Waiouru defence so tried a kick-

ing game which was successful with them scoring a try in the 25th minute. Sustained attack and hard running by Mark Heemi and Terence Hiko saw Pete Mason given room on the left wing, beating two defenders to score a 60 metre try in the corner. An excellent kick by Sonny Tawake saw the Bobcats go to the break with a 12-8 lead. At halftime big Ben Poaching replaced Kendall Gupwell and the team came out firing. An early converted try by Shag Brennan saw Waiouru ahead 18-8. Foxton threw everything they had at Waiouru but staunch defence by fullback Nick MacCauley wingman Lance Sweet and Centre Dave King stifled any attacks. With six minutes left Foxton threw caution to the wind and with good passing and running scored a#try. Soon after an incident saw Terence Hiko sent off. This couplcd with an injury to Max Tekakau left the Bobcats defence weak, allowing Foxton, to score a try in the last minute of the game. A silly punch by a Bobcat player on the try scorer resulted in a penalty try to Foxton. Final score 18-18. All-in-all Foxton can count themselves lucky to have -salvaged a draw as Waiouru played with heart and commitment, a top effort by all players. AGI Players of the day: forwards, C Brennan; backs, N MacCauley. Top tackle count, T White (26). By S/Sgt Waterhouse