Raetihi rugby right to the wire

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

Raetihi rugby right to the wire

Raetihi had to play right to the wire to win their match on Saturday against Wanganui Counties. Another, less entertaining feature of the game was poor sportsmanship by some of Raetihi' s own supporters. In wet muddy conditions Counties went on attack from the kick off with their flanker No .6 Mathew Thompson and their tight five all play ing good, hard driving rugby. Penalties went both ways and the conditions made it hard to control the scrums and infringements occurred. Raetihi came back and held Counties with the grit of Stu Ngatai, and Tom Rawiri driving the ball forward and with the skills of Moko Wihare always there, they managed to prevent Counties ball from getting through. It was 1 5-20 minutes before either side scored, Counties first on the board with a great try to their No 1. Fitz David, No 10 for Counties, was not able to convert. A forward pass to Raetihi saw Taku Edmonds miss a kick for goal. Minutes later a penalty to Counties was reversed because of back-chat to the referee. Raetihi's full back Edmonds kicked for goal again but failed. Another penalty to Raetihi for a late tackle saw points on the board (5-3). Raetihi kept the ball down their end most of the last five minutes of the first half and three scrums to the right on the goal line saw Counties collapse those srums. The half time score remained 5-3. Buck Herron replaced Ronnie Jensen who was hav-

ing a good game but pulled up injured. The game seesawed quite a lot and rough scrappy play saw both teams penalised. Five minutes into the second half Paul Trow, No 6 for Raetihi, drive for a tremendous try. This was unconverted (score, 8-5). With Raetihi on a roll, T om Rawiri went over for a try, which Taku Edmonds converted (15-5). Counties fought back and good attacking play gave them the break they needed to stay in the game. Their No 8 went in for a try, which Fitz David converted (15-12). Edward Taura playing on the wing for Raetihi came off injured and Mathew Lepua replaced him. Another penalty went counties way and the accurate boot of Fitz David eliminated the gap 15-15. Fraser Edmonds No 10 for Raetihi

also played well but with tempers flaring an both sides, once again, back chatting the referee, saw Edmonds sent off. With something like five or so minutes to go Raetihi came back and put Counties under pressure. Off-side play gave Raetihi another chance for points and Thomas Waara kicked for goal, but it went astray. Nail biting stuff saw another penalty go Raetihi's way, this time right out in front of the post and Taku Edmonds made sure of the points. Seconds before the full-time whistle, Counties had a chance at the last say with a penalty kick attempt, but it failed to find its mark, giving the game to Raetihi, 18-15. Player of the day for Raetihi, was Tom Rawiri with 3 points, Ronnie Jensen, 2 and Taku Edmonds I point.