Ohakune take Waiouru to a thriller final game, 17-15

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 546, 26 July 1994, Page 16

Ohakune take Waiouru to a thriller final game, 17-15

Ohakune-Karioi Women' s rugby team played their best game of the 1994 season on Sunday at Waiouru when they were beaten 1715 by a more fancied Waiouru side. Ohakune' s midfield back, Eugenie Rapana scored the first try of the game with a stunning 45 metre burst when she

carved up the Waiouru defence to score close to the post. Waiouru lock Trish Leabourne set the score at five all when the Waiouru forwards bustled the Ohakune line and forced the strong running lock over the line. Both Ohakune props La and Mo Akapita were disallowed trys when the more dominant Ohakune forwards push the Reds over their try line. Waiouru' s strong defence saw the score locked at five all at the break. In the second half, Waiouru flanker Karen Temoana and centre Nats Helza both scored well earned tries. Fullback Kelly Hiroa converted T emoana' s try which proved vital for Waiouru' s hard earned victory. Eugenie Rapana scored for the blues with only lOminutesremaining. The Ohakune forwards worked hard to have Waiouru pinned to their try line, with only two minutes from full time, Ohakune first five eight Coral Rahi capitalized on a quick penalty tap to score in the corner. Unfortunately La Akapita could not convert the try. The Ohakune forwards were led well by Captain La Akapita and loose forwards Jo Kohu, Olive and Jackie Henare. The power of the Ohakune scrum saw hooker Roslyn Bishop win six tight heads. The pick of the Ohakune backs were the two Rahi sisters, Coral and Celen with Eugenie Rapana having her first sober game of the season. Waiouru fullback Kelly Hiroa was the game winner for the reds, with centre, Nats Heka and Mellissa Brown also having strong games. Loose forwards Karen Temoana and Lorrinda Stain played

well for the Waiouru forward pack with prop Kim Burrows having a hard job containing the big Ohakune scrum. Next Sunday will see Ohakune-Karioi women' s team hosting the first ever Wanganui Women' s Rugby 10 a-side toumament. The games are played five minutes each way and all teams will play each other in a round robin. At the completion of the round robin the two top teams will play in the cup final. The third and fourth teams will play in the plate final and fifth and sixth place will play in the consolation plate final. The first games start at 1 1 am and the last final will be played at 3.30pm. This is hoped to be a good day for Women' s rugby and especially the Ohakune-Karioi RFC who will host the first ever 10 a-side tournament.