College column

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 434, 28 April 1992, Page 8

College column

The Ruapehu College lst XI played their first match of the season on Saturday when they played a Wanganui Collegiate under- 17 team at Wemble^ Park in Wanganui. With only three regular players from last year's squad playing and playing in a new league with no senior players, no-one was keen to make any predictions about a likely score. A tentative start saw most of the early play in their own half. To their credit however there was an emphasis on retaining possession rather than always moving forward. Collegiate had most of the early chances but were well kept out. As the game progressed Ruapehu seemed to gain in confidence. In the 30th minute Caleb Tumataroa scored directly from a corner kick which he curled around the keeper. That goal seemed to be the impetus Ruapehu needed with Avinesh Sharma scoring two further goals before

the half time whistle. Four substitutions were made at half time to give all squad members a run, this made it a little difficult to regain the cohesion they had developed in the first half. Collegiate scored half way through the second half following what was probably one of the only mistakes goal keeper Matthew Fetzer made throughout the game when he came out of the goal area to clear the ball only to see the ball ricochet back past him into the net. However he was selected as player of the match for his other play throughout the game. Several other new players impressed and captain Geoffrey Pitts controlled the defence very well. The final score remained at 3-1 to Ruapehu, a result they should be happy with. They now have two further pre-league matches in Wanganui over the next two Saturdays, with the competition proper starting on 30 May.