Raetihi loses last clash

Ruapehu Bulletin, 6 August 1991, Page 16

Raetihi loses last clash

Raetihi lost their bottom-of-the-table clash with Taihape Pirates by 6 points to nil on Saturday. Raetihi had the better of the play but couldn't convert their superiority into points. The game was entertaining and some good open rugby was played. A feature of the game was the defence by both sides. Darren McDonnel at second five for Raetihi organised his backline well. Tom Rawiri led a very strong pack without any individual really standing out. Raetihi missed two

certain tries partly because of poor line markings. Brent Ffewkes and Kipper Tipu were the pick of the Pirates forwards while Barry Coles and Kevin O'Brien were the pick of their backs. Pirates Scorer Dean Noble 2 penalties. Congratulations go to Aaron McCann and Tony Bird who were selected for the Wanganui under 21 side. Stuart Ngatai, Tom Rawiri, Mike Gordon, Paul Trow, Aaron McCann and Tony Bird were also selected for the Wanganui Maori side. Waiouru vs Utiku The Waiouru senior rugby team suffered their second loss of the season to Utiku Old Boys by 14-0 on Saturday. Utiku deserved the win. Waiouru could not win its own put in to the scrum. Waiouru only got ball back from about three of its own scrums and the effect on Waiouru's forwards, was demoralization. Utiku had the wind in the first half and put it to good use by pegging Waiouru back in its half with long kicks. Waiouru defended well and were superior in the lineouts due mainly to Ralph Wallace. In the second half Waiouru spent most of the time in Utiku's territory but could not win a scrum, so their backs had to feed off scraps and tended to have handling lapses. Utiku scored a rather easy try in the first half by kicking through a dropped ball. As well as

two penalties, Utiku nailed Waiouru's coffm closed with a brilliant individual try by Tod Barrel. Waiouru never gave in and threatened to score a couple of times. But if Waiouru has any hope of including the WRU final, then it must develop a scrum that can at least secure it's own ball. The Waiouru Colts have joined the local senior reserve competition and on Saturday faced the Armoured team. It was not as one-sided as many expected and the colts team took Armoured on all the way, losing only by 9-6. Ohakune- Karioi vs Huia BY LINEOUT The Ohakune-Karioi rugby team will play next season from 2nd division after their loss against Huia 22-10 at Rochfort Park on Saturday. Both teams came out firing in the first 20 minutes but Huia were better prepared with their points coming from moves at set play. The three Huia loose forwards played dominant roles in the game. The local team was quite baffled at times by the moves from the Taihape team and their defence was almost nonexistent. Lochlan Harding was first to put points on the board when he scored out wide within five minutes from the start and Anthony Callaghan dropped a goal later in the 1st half. Tom Scott, Kellick Harding, David Keriti and Kelvin Chase had already done.the damage for Huia and the halftime score was 19-7 to Huia. Richard Lindsay was a hard worker for Ohakune in the fight and Richard Mathews and Brett Gowler were hard toilers for the local team. The Huia team were not happy with the decisions of the referee throughout the game but this writer believes he rarely put a foot wrong. When the Huia tight five got tired

they tried all means of trying to slow the game down which included many injuries which they are renown for but the referee was not having any of it. The game was one of the best seen on Rochfort Park this season. Points: - Huia, Tom Scott, Kellick Harding, David Kereti - tries. Kevlin Chase 2 conversions and 2 penalties. Ohakune-Karioi, Lochlan Harding ,try and 1 penalty, A Callaghan one drop goal. Wanganui Maoris vs King Country Maoris BY LINEOUT Ohakune's Rochfort Park was the venue on Sunday for the Colts and Seniors for the Maori teams of both Unions. Maori Rugby is played between Wellington, Manawatu, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Wanganui. The games against King Country were played in preparation for the prestigious Turoa Shield which is challenged for by all Central District Unions. Tom Rawiri, Paul Trow, Mike Gordon, Aaron McCann, Tony Bird and Darren McDonnell of Raetihi and Whetu Mareikura, Kerry Brown, Brendon Wilson of Ohakune played in the Senior team along with several players in the Metropolitan and Rangiteikei Sub Union. All played well including the two youngsters Bird and McCann when they had to fill in owing to injuries of the city based players on Saturday. The game was in typical Maori Rugby fashion, fast and running with the King Country team coming out on top 27-17. The Colts game included the Wills brothers, Anthony Callaghan, Clayton Waara and James Albert. This game was a very fast game as well and

exciting to watch. The Wanganui team were too good for their counterparts and won 3224. The day finished with an afterfunction at the Ohakune Clubrooms with an excellent Hangi prepared by Joe Kaata and friends. Waiouru Junior Rugby Last Saturday was Waiouru's turn to host the local junior rugby tournament and the turnout exceeded expectations. Under 13, 11, 9, 7 year old teams as well as midget teams

from Raetihi, Ohakune, Taihape, Turangi and Taupo, all gathered at Patterson Field for Saturday morning rugby. The weather; was perfect and so the morning was well supported by parents and children. The driving force behind Waiouru junior rugby is Bob Brownlie. Since he took over the management this year popularity and support has grown quickly. Last Saturday he had organised a sausage sizzle which provided a free hot dog for each player and a cup of coffee

for the parents. All of this had been fund raised for by Bob and his keen band of supporters. Bob had explained that the results of the games weren't important, the important thing was for the kids to be part of a team and to enjoy the rugby. Waiourus' two junior teams rewarded their coaches Bob Brownlie and Ross Woon, by giving them each a new hand-made shirt. Based on Saturday 's experience, local rugby's future is in good shape.