Raetihi seniors play Counties in tough game

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 593, 4 July 1995, Page 8

Raetihi seniors play Counties in tough game

A determined Wanganui Counties team put pressure on Raetihi right from the kick off in their Saturday rugby game and within two minutes Jason Hamblin, No 12 for Counties, gave them the opening points 5-0. The try was not converted by Fritz David, No 10 for

Counties. ' From a scrum Bendon Kavanagh (half back forRaetihi) was called off-side, and this gave Counties a free kick and they choose to kick for touch. From the line out it was Counties' ball and a pass to Matt Thompson, No 6 for

Counties, gave him a break and away he went for another try, but not converted, the score 10-0. Raetihi dug deep and came back attacking well, finding the battle for better positional play tough going. Raetihi gainedtwo penalties, Nopera Pine kicking for goal. The first was not successful but the second found its mark well. Then Fitz David, No 10 for Counties, kicked another penalty goal, the score 1 3-3 and another penalty 10 minutes later gave Counties a comfortable lead of 16-3. Raetihi went on attack and picked up the pace. Some good tackling by Moko Wihare and a determined dive by Tom Rawiri, No 3, and steadying play by No 8 Stu Ngatai saw pressure back on Counties. A loose ball to No 14 for Counties almost cost Raetihi another point with a 70-metre run. However the skills and speed of a brilliant tackle by Karl Eaton, stopped a certainty try. Stu Ngatai scored well for Raetihi with a break from a rolling maui and with a strong driving force near the post. Nopera Pine converted, the score 16-10.

Raetihi had the upper hand in the first five minutes into the second half. Counties was off-side, a penalty kick closed the gap with Nopera Pine's boot doing the honours (16-13). Another penalty went Raetihi 's way following a penalty to Counties both within minutes of each

other, the score 19-16. Mathew Lepua, No 12, and Shane Eades played good committed games, as did Fraser Edmonds and Ron Jensen. However Counties counter-attacked, with 25 minutes of the game left. Raetihi gave away penalties with the boot of Fitz David making good use of

his talents (22-16 then 251 6). With seven minutes left in the game Nopera Pine went away and scored brilliantly for Raetihi closing the gap again. His conversion attempt failed however the score remained 25-21. A last-minute penalty to

Counties saw Fitz David put the final touches to the game with a great kick for goal, the score then 28-21. Shane Eades was player of the day for Raetihi with three points, Fraser Edmonds two and Nopera Pine one.