Ruapehu College Old Boys Rugby Reunion

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 606, 3 October 1995, Page 16

Ruapehu College Old Boys Rugby Reunion

By

Amiria

Teki

It was last Saturday a week ago, that the ex Ruapehu Old Boys Rugby club got together and held a reunion. There was also a memorial service for the family and friends of the late Walter Sue. Mr Sue was the man re"sponsible for getting the

club off the ground. Following discussions with interested parties, it was agreed that there was a need to get a rugby team together, particularly for the kids who had just left college and who were not old enough (but wanted to continue to play rugby), to play in senior teams. Mr Sue initiated early discussions in 1978 and by 1979, with the support of many others he formed the inaugural Ruapehu College Old Boys Rugby club. Merv O'Connor and Joe Waritini were there and gave time to coaching and assisting Mr Sue as manager. It was in 1981 that the team really came into form. That year they cleaned up in all three rounds of the Northern Wanganui/Taumarunui sub union and were the top under 19 try scorers. When the team first started, it was the original team that set the style of running with the ball and it was considered that this type of tactic provided the foundation for the "winning way" of rugby within the Northern Wanganui sub union region at the time. In 1981, eleven players from this team were selected as Wanganui representa-

tives. Mr Sue organised sponsorship for uniforms, was always enthusiastic, encouraging and supportive of the player and the club as a whole. When ever the club had a function it was Mr Sue who organised the hall or venue, the sound system and entertainment, everything had to be done properly. That was the way Mr Sue was. The original team were as follows: Kerry Brown, Peter Wood, David Noa, Patrick Tahu, Shane Wilcox, Lachan Harding, Keith Wood, Ray Brown, Walter Sue (manager), Merv O'Connor coach, Ronald Perigo, Colin Fowlie, Bernard Mareikura, Henry Morgan (captain), William Wallace (president), Whetu Mareikura, Donald Parkes, K Henare, Joe Waritini (assistant manager), Brendon Wilson, Howard Traia, David Brown, John Waerea (vice captain), Walter Cassidy, Steven Wallace, Vernon Brown, Darryl Lim Yock, Phillip Hammond, Clayton Hammond, Tony Smith, Steve Caveman and Titi Morgan (1979). Others who played at a later date, were Jarnes Renata, Whetu Mareikua, Terry McLead, Jlm Edmonds, Thomas

Hawira, Wayne Te Huia, Marshall T ongaroa, Kellick Harding, Alex Rothsay and Terry Martin, Justin Mills, Charles Mareikura and Tom Mariekura. In time other sports teams were formed under the old boys banner. That included softball, netball and martial arts. The reunion rugby match was played on the Saturday, against the under 21 development squad (Ruapehu). Everyone had a brilliant time with the game being well supported, and more than a million laughs were had. Scoring for College Old Boys, trys to Whetu Mareikura, Terry Mcleod, Jim Edmonds, Thomas Waara and Kellie Harding with two conversions from the boot of Wayne Te Huia. For the under 21 teamMarty McGrath, Darren Norling, Brendon Wills with Adam Hinana kicking two conversions. The evening's entertainment was provided for by way of a disco and supper and the function took place at the Waimarino Club in Raetihi.

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