Raetihi rugby

Ruapehu Bulletin, 26 March 1991, Page 16

Raetihi rugby

After a belated start to the season the Raetihi senior Rugby team is shaping up a potentially a good one. Tom Waara has been appointed coach and is performing the task with enthusiasm. A solid core of players have returned for the season thus bringing a stability to the team. There are some exeiting new players so the performance of the team should be interesting. Coach Waara is rev ealing little about the composition of the team but is optimistic that his side will surprise. Preseason game In a preseason match at Kaitoke Prison the Raetihi Seniors defeated Marist Thirds 34-22. The result was extremely pleasing for Raetihi as it gave confidence to the new players of the team. Raetihi led 18-9 at half time but Marist came back strongly after the break and went ahead 22-18. The forwarrds mauled well and denied

Raetihi any ball. The last quarter, though belonged to Raetihi and they comfortably ran out the winners 34-22. The whole team played well and it would be unfair to single out individuals. The stars of previous years are missing but the new members of the team took up the challenge. Tha ball1 handling skills were of an excellent standard while the fitness was pleasing for this early in the season. Scorers for Raetihi were Caton Te Moana, Paul Trow, Aaron McCann, Arnold Lawrence, Darren McDonnell and Anthony Callaghan. A Dropped goal was scored by Darren McDonnell with conversions by Anthony Callaghan. The Clutha Valley rugby team previously coached by Raetihi school pricipal Doug McLean will be visiting Raetihi during Easter weekend, They willl be playing the seniors at 2.30pm on Saturday 30 March.