Raetihi vs Counties

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 589, 6 June 1995, Page 12

Raetihi vs Counties

Raetihi seniors went down to Wanganui Counties at their recent rugby game loosing their earlier 'winning way'. Counties played well with more possession and more control of the ball in the first 20 minutes of the game. The first penalty of the game went to Counties but the attempt at goal failed. With the wind in their favour, Counties kicking was later on target. Leroy Mathews ran in a brilliant try with Jason Hamlin converting. The score 7/0. In the line outs Raetihi worked well with Stu Ngatai having a great game, driving well and bringing play down well into Raetihi 's territory, but although there was some good individual play by Brendon Kavanagh and Terry Taumata, back-up was lacking. Another penalty to Counties, this time successful, by their No.12, about 15 minutes into the first half saw the score reach 10/0. At the kick off, Tom Rawiri went up for the ball and with Stu Ngatai in support they again set up some good moves. A penalty from an infringement in the scrum by Counties gave Raetihi an opportunity to put points on the board, unfortunately the goal attempt by Darren McDonnell failed. The ball was soon back in Counties territory and another penalty against Raetihi was awarded. Counties failed to capitalise, and the kick went astray. Jason Hamlin put things right for Counties converting a try making the score 17-0. Just before half time Counties went into top gear, with Jason Hamlin yet again converting his try to take the half time score to 24-0. Raetihi came out fighting in the second half. Kerry Brown, number 8, Paddy Chambers in Lock, and the valuable experience of James Renata showed through, with good attacking skills. For a while there was some good play, with ball to players like Mathew Lepua, first 5/ 8 for Raetihi, who used his quick determined skills to give Raetihi two tries. Darren McDonnell converting one of these saw the score at 30 minutes into the second half at 2412 to Counties. Another penalty was picked up by Raetihi near fulltime, although it was lost when McDonnell' s kick failed. Stu Ngatai featured again with driving force and was only centimetres from the try line with Counties successfully holding him off. Thomas Warina and Rau Rangihua played and worked well on the wing positions, but poor ball handling and bad passes and a general lack of support let Raetihi down. Counties failed to score in the second half, but they managed to keep Raetihi at bay until the final whistle. Final score was 24-12 to Wanganui Counties. Correction: Re the Raetihi v Waiouru game on Sunday 25 May. The first try scorer was Rick Witane (Waiouru captain), not Wilson Waaka as reported.