Raetihi versus Wanganui Pirates

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 393, 2 July 1991, Page 16

Raetihi versus Wanganui Pirates

BY

LJNEOUT

It was a pretty even game played on Rochfort Park on Saturday and Ohakune-Karioi had to fight hard to become eventual winners with 10-7. In the first half Rodger Byam ctit through the Ohakune backline and scored an excellent try with the local team demonstrating a few weak tackles. Dereck Brooks and Byam, both Wanganui reps, were a good midfield combination with the cairn, experienced Brooke marshaling his players around him. This backline playing style is very similar to the Ohakune style but their leader is fast and more fit. Anthony Callaghan scored a beautiful try only to be disallowed because the referee Kiwi Cribb claimed there was obstruction. Michael Wills celebrated his 21st birthday with a try after some excellent support play and Richard Mathews who has been named in the Wanganui rep squad, had his usual top game. Brian Bailey took several catches in the lineout and has a good lineout relationship with thrower Brendon Wills. The Ohakune team had to put a lot of pressure on Waverly to eventually win the game. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the game was hearing the results on the car radio as the players were still walking off the field, all credit to the cellular phone! Byam scored a try and Lennox a penalty for Waverly 7. Ohakune-Karioi Lochlan Harding 2 penalties.Mike Wills a try.

In a minor surprise Raetihi held Wanganui Pirates to a 7 all draw in a Division II clash on Saturday. The draw was a fair result for this enthralling even clash. The game was played at a good pace and held the interest of the spectators for the full 80 minutes. The Raetihi tight five had the better of their opposition and as a result dominated the scrums and mauls. Pirates, with their superior height had the better of the lineouts and dominated the loose for the latter part of the game. There was an improvement in the Raetihi backplay but the Pirates backs looked more dangerous whenever they received the ball. If they had used their fast outside backs more they could have easily won the game. Even so, the Raetihi defence improved from previous games and smothered some dangerous looking Pirate attacks. An added interest to the game was the clash between props Tom Rawiri, Raetihi's captain, and Pirates captain Marsh Tangaroa. (Raetihi's 1990 captain). Rawiri had the

better of the early exchanges but Tangaroa came back strongly as the game progressed. Tom Rawiri was well supported in the pack by fellow prop Stuart Ngatai, locks John Binziggar and *Lloyd Brennan, who had his best game of the season. Amold Lawrence had his moments on the flank while Paul Trow continues to show good form at No. 8. Brendan Kavanagh had an outstanding game at halfback and was the standout individual of the game. Ginger Hall, Clayton Te Moana had improved games and Aaron McCann and Mark Donghi showed that they are skilled players. Marsh Tangaroa was the pick of the Pirates team. He was well supported by the loose forwards Mark Manu and Amori Tuimayau. Richard Nimmo looked very accomplished at first five and wing Shaun Pleasants stretched the Raetihi defence whenever he received the ball. If Raetihi can improve their backline play they will certainly become an extremely competitive team. Scores: Raetihi - Mark Donghi penalty and penalty try. Wanganui Pirates - Shaun Pleasants try and penalty.