Close affair for Raetihi

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 390, 11 June 1991, Page 12

Close affair for Raetihi

BY

DOUG

MCLEAN

Boys College and Old Boys (BCOB) defeated Raetihi 19-13 at rugby on Saturday The game was a close affair but BCOB had better penetration in the outside backs and this was the telling difference between the two teams. The half time score was 16-3 to BCOB but the second half belonged to Raetihi. They scored two tries in the last twenty minutes. Stuart Ngatai, playing prop, made a difference to the Raetihi forwards with his good technique in the scrums mauls and rucks. He made a big contribution to the improved performance of the Raetihi forwards. The other Raetihi forwards to stand out were captain Tom Rawiri who was rewarded with a try, Paul Trow who made some charging runs at number eight, it was a pity though that he didn't receive the support he deserved from his fellows forwards. Tony Bird played well at lock. The backs played well individually with Brendon Kavanagh showing his class at half back. Aaron McCann continues his improvement at first five and Mark Donghi had a great game on the wing. Generally though Raetihi backs stood too flat on attack and as a result were tackled before they could begin to move, even so their defence was good. When the handling errors are reduced and the player with the ball is supported in numbers

Raetihi will be a very competitive team. The BCOB inside backs had excellent games. They were half back Michael Paul, first five Hemi Stevenson and Michael Tanner at second five. Flanker Wayne TurnpageS Ohakune-Karioi vs Ratana BYLINEOUT Ohakune-Karioi showed that they meant business during the first few seconds of the game against the highly placed Ratana at rugby on Saturday, but they eventually drew 23 all. The local team immediately attacked with an excellent display of set and second phase rugby which resulted in a typical Callaghan break at first five to Whetu Mareikura who scored within the first few minutes of the game. The presence of Mareikura had a settling effect on the backline ensuring everyone was able to concentrate on their own game. Mareikura, who has his critics, is not fit and is carrying a back injury which gives one the feeling that he has a casual style but if ever one would like to speak of experience it was evident on Saturday. As usual the forward pack dominated up front in all phases of the game. The current front row of the Wills bro ther s and player/coach Graham Pike is awesome. The backline, still missing Sabu Brown

(injury) seems to have aquired an urgency. Paul Tamati on the wing worked so hard covering and attacking, deserved his brilliant try in the second half. Lachlan Harding, who felt more comfortable with his old school mate Mareikura running the backs showed true class and must accept Wanganui

coach Peter Kemp's request to join the squad soon. Brett Gowler was Ohakune-Karioi's player of the day. His speed to the loose ball and his defence often had Ratana first five Ngatarere in a fair muddle. Kerry Brown had a superb game and he was rewarded with a try.

The Ratana forward pack was reinforced by former rep prop Doug Fox in the second half and they built up their poinXs until they reached 23. Like Ohakune-Karioi the Ratana team contains two young fellows who are just out of school. These boys played very well for

Ratana. For Ohakune-Karioi Mareikura, Harding, Brown and Tamati scored tries and Harding two conversions and one penalty. Scorers for Ratana were Tataurangi, Hall and Rurinui tries and Ngatarere three penalties and one conversion.