Waiouru clean up in qualifying round

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 392, 25 June 1991, Page 12

Waiouru clean up in qualifying round

Although the Waiouru Senior rugby team made it to the final of last year's Wanganui Division 1 competition, few people were prepared to back them as a threat this season. But they're proved to be threat enough to beat all comers in the qualifying round of the competition. Waiouru represents a bit of a problem for the Wanganui rugby teams. It's a long way to travel, the weather is cold and Army teams tend to fluctuate in ability depending upon whether there is a large field exercise on or not. This year the senior team, under the guidance of local farmer Jim Ward, was well prepared for the season. Early pre-season training sessions conducted by the Army physical training instructors produced excellent turnouts of keen players who have formed the nucleus of a young, keen squad. Luck of the draw with Army postings has also assisted. New players with good experience have strengthened last year's squad. Players like exWaikato representative Ralph Wallace, Combined Services halfback Hayden Dempsey, first 5/8 Phil Mete, talented new comers like flankers Pat Sullivan and Bret Hickmont, and fullback Brian Clarke. As well many of last years good players have stayed such as winger Pedro Van Der Ent and Brett Sturm, mid fielder Rick Tauhiri, forwards Bridge Bridge in Ohakune is going very strong at the moment with 26 people turning out on Wednesday night last week. The evening started with President Brian Eades welcoming new member Alison McGregor to the club. Brian asked the members to take it easy on the new player and not to double unnecessarily and the request was generally adhered to. However any one else was fair game and there were doubles and redoubles galore. This lead to some huge scores both for and against declarer depending how well the hand was played. A total of 26 boards were played using a version of the Howell movement and the top six pairs were as follows:.lst Les Burns and Tracy Ennis, 57.31%; 2nd Ron Martin and Heather Cranston, 56.92%; 3rd Ron Frew and Brian Eades, 54.61%; 4th John Eades and Fr. Bernie Vella, 53.08%; 5th Mark Hays and Bob Tumataroa, 50.38%; 6th Tani Blackburn and Alison McGregor, 47.31%.

Tom Hullena, Tommo Thompson and Tony Gillfedder. The team is the outright winner of the Wanganui Division 1 first round and now has its sights firmly on being in the top four teams from the next round, thereby making the playoffs for the clubs finals competition.

Given the Wanganui representative teams recent results, the coach would do well to look at the Waiouru team for more talent as only the halfback is in the representative squad at present. Results to date; Local round; vs Utiku OB won 18-

7, vs Ohakune won 1710, vs Taihape Pirates won 24-3, vs Huia won 8-10, vs Raetihi won 43-3. Wanganui Div 1 first round; vs Wang Pirates won 27-16, vs Ratana won 19-10, vs Ohakune won 16-3, vs Wang Counties won 186, vs Marton won 10-3, vs Kairau draw 3-3, vs Utiku OB won 6-3.