Rugby winds down

Ruapehu Bulletin, 20 August 1991, Page 17

Rugby winds down

BY

IINEOUT

The Wanganui Club rugby competition comes to an end with the finals played this weekend. Ohakune-Karioi and Raetihi, have had to play in what many consider a senseless knockout series. Both teams will begin in the second division next year. Raetihi won through a default by Bulls on Saturday and now have their 90th reunion to look forward to on 6, 7 and 8 September. Ohakune-Karioi ended their Club rugby with a win for the Senior Reserve team against the Waiouru team, thus they hold the Rob Cleaver Shield for the second year in a row.

Ohakune Darts

Wednesday 7 August: A good crowd for the evening doubles were played. John McQuarrie and Peter Zohs shared the highest start of 140, Hugh Geraghty had the highest finish of 66 and Bruce Cranston had the highest score of 174. Greg Windle and John McQuarrie came equal with Colin Cranston and Peter Zohs for overall winner. Graham Foster won the meat raffle. Wednesday 14 August: Singles round was played a rather long night. Gayle Dickison (Waimarino player) had the highest start of 120, Greg Windle (another Waimarino player) had the highest finish of 96 and Gavin Sutton had the highest score of 140. The overall winner of the night was Bruce Cranston followed by Colin Cranston.

The Senior team lost to Hunterville on Saturday after leading 19-7 at halftime. The teams played in snow which gave the local players a physiological advantage. Lochlan Harding played well and was rewarded with a runaway try when he ran the length of the field to score. But Hunterville were able to slowly pull the lead back by making good use of a strong wind in the second half. The final score Hunterville 32 OhakuneKarioi 19. Hunterville = Horima Potaka 2, Mark Godfrey 2, P Wells tries. Robert Tahia 3 conversions, 2 penalties. Ohakune-Karioi = Jasen Hulena, Lochlan Harding tries, Harding 1 conversion, 3 penalties. The Ohakune team finish their season off with an Annual Prizegiving and Dinner in Cleche's Bar on Friday 30 August. Controversial former All Black Andy Haden will / be Guest Speaker for the evening and on 6 September the team leave for their South Island tour. Other local news was the selection of Tom Rawiri, Paul Trow and Mike Gordon for the Wanganui Maoris who played Wellington Maoris on Sunday. Wanganui lost 26-4, with the Wellington team too strong. In the Wanganui Maori Colts the Wills brothers continue to play well in the representative arena with Brendon scoring a try. Wanganui won this game 22-19. Further afield the Ohakune school boy Regan Sue who is a boarder at Wanganui Boys Col-

lege has been selected for the New Zealand Secondary School boys squad. Ladies rugby, which has made a great impact on the scene, looks good for the local lasses with several local Raetihi and Ohakune-Karioi ladies selected into the North Wanganui team to play in a trial against the Metropolitan ladies team in a Wanganui trial who will then represent Wanganui against other provinces.

Armoured

The Armoured Rugby side drew with Panthers 6-6 at Waiouru on Wednesday. This was the last match of the round and Armoured found itself in the top three in the senior reserve com-

petition along with Panthers and Ohakune. A hard fought match by both teams provided good sport for the spectators. All points scored were from penalties with Mat Kena kicking well although the westerly wind caused some problems in the second half. Despite being camped in the Panthers half during the second spell Armoured could not break Panthers line. There was a good turn out by all team members. A number of substitutions were made at half time, and during the second half, allowing most of the regular players a chance at the ball. The following pulled on the yellow jersey for the last game of the season: Dave Apaapa, Dave Morice, Mat Kena, Ran-

dal Cross, John Barclay, Helmet Neilson, Paul Bone, Darren Beck, Coops Cooper, Mario Ropitini, Hone Dalton, Julian Sewell, Swanny Swan, Ray Turu, Boo Boo Gardiner, Budge Darlison, TK TeKotia, Bros Brosnan (C) and John "The Nose" Sincock. Westy Weston did not make the team but contributed as linesman. Gee Aramoana, Crew Crether, Hutch Hutchison and Mike Keepa were the non-playing reserves. Players of the day were Randall Cross and John Dalton. The team was coached by the dynamic duo of Pinky Clarke and Craig Surtees. Management was shared between Doug Walker, Blue Chivers and Pete Faithfull. The Armoured team wishes to thank the many people who supported them throughout the season in good Armoured tradition "through the mud and blood to the green fields beyond".