Raetihi rugby

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 587, 23 May 1995, Page 14

Raetihi rugby

From the outset, Utiku put pressure on Raetihi during their Saturday game of rugby, with the ball mostly in Utiku's territory. The first successful penalty kick went to Utiku in the first 10 minutes of the game with the score standing at 3-0. A string of controversial penalties went Utiku's way. However, they were unable to capitalise on all but one in the following 20 minutes and the score stood at 6-0. Raetihi came back strongly with some good kicking by Ngopera Pine, Terry Taumata and Fraser Edmonds. The driving strength and determination of Stu Ngatai, number four for Raetihi, Tom Rawiri and Brad McCoubrie, was just the kind of play that put Raetihi back in form and a good chase from James Renata, number four, gave Raetihi a finger touch try. Ngopera Pine was unable to convert, the gap closed and the score stood at 6-5 to Utiku. Another penalty went Utiku's way making the score 95. Raetihi kept pressure on with some good clean ball, but Utiku's defence prevented Kahl Eaton, number 15 for Raetihi, from another try and at half-time the score was 95. In the second-half Raetihi put on a more concentrated effort. However penalties awarded to them weren't of benefit, with the kicking attempts going astray. The game seesawed a little with Utiku gaining good ball in the scrums and yet again a penalty went their way bringing the score to 12-5. The game ended at 12/10 to Utiku with a final penalty to Utiku failing to make the grade