Bitter weather sees a sluggish Raetihi rugby match

Ruapehu Bulletin, 11 July 1995, Page 12

Bitter weather sees a sluggish Raetihi rugby match

Raetihi were guest to Boys College Old Boys in Wanganui on Saturday and played in weather that was, to say the least, extremely bitter. The conditions tended to provide a sluggish, tough, up-hill battle for both teams. Boys College appeared to have the upper hand in the first 10 minutes of the game, especially in midfield when they used a lot of driving force to bring the ball down their end. Raetihi were penalised for not releasing the ball when they

went to ground. This gave College their first chance to put points on the board. No 12 Stewart Scoon kicked the penalty goal and the score stood at 3-0. The weather continued to slow the game and the ball being very slippery meant several knock-on's and subsequent penalties came fast and furious to both teams. Fifteen minutes into the game Raetihi had opportunities for penalty goal kicks, Nopera Pine attempted both. However both attempts failed.

Raetihi went on to attack and were able to get some good clean ball out to their wingers. Terry Taumata, their number 1 1 , ran away for a tremendous try in the corner. Once again Pine was unable to convert and the score stood at 5-3 to Raetihi. The game seesawed a lot, College gaining another penalty within 20 metres of their post. They chose to kick for goal with Number 1 2 doing the honours taking the score to 6-5. A try to Robbie Chant, number 4 for College, took the score to

1 1-5 at half-time. Raetihi's tight five worked hard and opened up the game somewhat in the second-half, driving and controlling the rucks and mauls, bringing the ball down into their territory well. Paul Trow, Tom Rawiri, Stu Ngatai and Shane Eades were all involved there but failure to capitalise on penalties which went their way shut them out on the score-line. Another penalty to College saw their number 12 kick for goal and that

success gave them a comfortable lead of 13-5. Fraser Edmonds, Matti Lepua, Brendon Kavanagh and Ronnie Jensen all had their work cut out for them but just failed to finish off some moves with the ball slipping away from them. A strong, gutsy determined play by College saw number 7, Valentino Sevda, drive for the line to put Raetihi out of contention, with a try which was unconverted bringing the final score to 18-5. Raetihi's players-of-the-

day went to Stu Ngatai with three points, Terry T aumata two and Brendon Kavanagh

one. Earl Finchham was player-of-the-day for Boys College.