Raetihi rugby in top gear

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 586, 16 May 1995, Page 12

Raetihi rugby in top gear

By

Amiria

Teki

Raetihi was in top gear mode this week posting another win, this time against Huia. The first five to ten minutes seemed to favour Raetihi, with good cleanball. However the first two penalties that Darren McDonnell attempted to kick failed, kicking into the eye of the sun. Clean ball and good passing from a scrum saw the

fast pace of Thomas Waara, number 12, over for a try opening Raetihi 's account. Darren McDonnell converted taking the score to 70. Raetihi then went into top gear and a loose ball swooped up by Paul Trow saw a brilliant breakaway 40-metre try right under the posts McDonnell converted, the score then 14-0. Raetihi gave away pen-

alties, but unfortunately for them Huia were unable to capitalise. Huia came back with their forwards driving and attacking well, putting Raetihi under pressure. Towards the end of the first half Gerrard Payne, centre for Huia, came off with a shoulder injury. Brendon Kavanagh also sustained a knee injury giving Edward Taura a chance to show his skills as half back for

Raetihi. Raetihi went off the boil a little in the first 10 minutes of the second half with Huia putting points on the board from'a good penalty kick by Dean Chase taking the score to 14-4. Raetihi came back settling down and Terry Taumata, number 11, scored behind the posts with McDonnell capitalising, the score then being 21-3. Min-

utes later Thomas Waara swooped in for his second try of the day, McDonnell converted, the score then 28-3 . Paul Trow also scored another try which was converted by McDonnell, the score then 35-3. Huia came back fired up and attacking well, forcing Raetihi into pressure round from good line out ball. Brent Hamilton went on to score in the corner. With a try unconverted, the tally was 35/8. The game ended with Darren McDonnell, centre for Raetihi, breaking away for an excellent try which was converted taking the final score to 42-8. Huia's forwards played well throughout the game, particularly Nick Pickering, Dean Chase and Brent Hamilton who was right there always bringing pressure to bear on Raetihi. Paul T row, James Renata and Tom Waara all played well for Raetihi. Keep an eye out for Fraser Edmonds, Raetihi 's first 5/8, one to watch as the season progresses. The club welcomes back Stewart Ngatai who replaced Buck Herron in the lock position in the second half. No reports from the Ohakune or Waiouru games were submitted to the Bulletin.