Best Raetihi forwards show yet

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 337, 29 May 1990, Page 12

Best Raetihi forwards show yet

Ohakune Karioi senior rugby team arrived at the Hunterville ground on Saturday and were greeted by "an absolute bog", according to coach Graeme Pike.

Consequently the game tumed into a mud bath. However the Ohakune forwards adapted to the conditions and by the end of the game had completely outclassed their opposition. The forwards scrummaged well, drove well and mauled well. With a steady flow of ball half back and first five eight Steve Vine and Ray Brown used the ball intelligently and kicked it in front of their forwards. Ohakune never looked in danger of being

beaten and spent 70 per cent of the game in Hunterville's half. The backs tackled well with Paddy Cornelius leading the way. Kellich Harding scored two tries and Lachlan Harding kicked one conversion and a penalty. For Hunterville Boy Mananui kicked a penalty, making the score 13-3 to Ohakune Karioi. Raetihi v Wanganui - Counties B Raetihi defeated Wanganui Counties B 17-10

on Saturday in a game where Raetihi forwards dominated their counterparts. But the backs lacked penetration. This could be a result of inexperience as the Wanganui players looked as if they would win but they had some tense moments during the last 15 minutes as Wanganui Counties kept driving Raetihi back with long kicks. Some of the driving play by the Raetihi forwards was the best seen this season with Marsh Tangaroa, Arnold Lawrence, Kerry Brown and Rangi Bishop in dynamic form. Blair Hope had another great

game tidying up in the loose. Raetihi now move to third on the points table with the top two teams to go to first division. Wanganui Counties were surprisingly strong in the backs with Charlie McNabb having an excellent game at halfback. The No 8 Simon Te Paki and hooker Chris Price also playing well. Scorers: Raetihi Wayne Te Huia, Marsh Tangaroa, Jeff Fahey and Chris Bennett tries, Wayne Te Huia 1 penalty and a conversion. Wanganui Counties B Charlie McNabb, Vince Puru tries.

Waiouru vs Counties A Waiouru were narrowly defeated, with a full time penalty goal kicked by Dion Maua of Wanganui Counties at Waiouru on Saturday. The goal took the score to 12 points to 10 to Counties. Maua scored all of Counties' points from penalty goals while Waiouru scored two tries, one by Bo Ngata and one by A Coombes. Waiouru lead 10-3 at half time after taking advantage of a tail wind. Good defence on Waiouru's part kept Counties away from the try line in an entertaining game.