Oldies show gold

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 595, 18 July 1995, Page 16

Oldies show gold

Ruapehu Rascals netball and rugby teams made up of players from both Ohakune and Raetihi, hosted the Orua Highlanders from Kimbolton on Sunday. Both netball and rugby were played at Raetihi. The golden oldies are all over 30-something and the maximum age is unknown. Everyone is expected to join in and support each other. The day' s play started with netball. The game got off to a fine start with the Orua Highlanders taking it to the Rascals in somewhat controversial style, the ball was thrown, kicked bowled, every which way but loose or just plain chucked — just as long as someone scored a goal. A little lady called Bev did the honours for Orua, with the hoops sloping somewhat downwards. For her trouble she was awarded one glass of port just to keep things going. With Rascals in position Buttons Hall all took a good pass from the centre, player, none other than 'T weeler ' and things went their way with a goal. Back down the other end, and several attempts to put off the opposition by shaking the goal post, saw Ethnie Carmicheal sent off with no glass of port. With something like 10 minutes each half and a five minute break the girls really played like winners. The final score was something to nothing, or the other way around — maybe things favoured the visitors — it seems that no one is too worried about that! Rugby got under way in fine style with Bully Chambers controlling the ball in the first half. With no kicking and no tackling allowed one would imagine a somewhat fast game. There was some shinning displays of good ball handling skills particularly by Bob Graves, who cut it with the best of them. Brian Wilspn showed some flare at times as did Mike, the captain for Rascals, with good ability in rucking and those rolling mauls. The opposition had a few good runs and took it to the Rascals with a great display of grunt and some suspect passes saw them gain a few good trying points. On came the subs after a good five minutes, when Trevor Fredricksen took to the field with his fluorescent knee grip — well, one wonders if that was a Rascals tactic to put the opposition off ... Ging Hall came on and things brightened up with his old flare showing through and so did Bobbie Brown. Marty McGrath questioned the ref on a penalty for his forward pass as he was on for a certain try. But the supporters saw things the refs' way. Twenty minutes play saw the half time whistle blow none too soon for some. Bully Chambers let Brian Wilson take the whistle to control the game while he had a tum at showing his skills and was in, boots and all, driving hard with the ball and showing the younger team members his experience with grit and guts. Things seesawed and tries were scored on both sides

and people ran out ot putt and subs were subbed and plenty of laughs were had with the game ending in high spirits.