Shell Waiouru has chance in premier rugby

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 645, 16 July 1996, Page 12

Shell Waiouru has chance in premier rugby

Shell Waiouru convincingly beat Utiku Old Boys 20-9 in a hard fought match at Waiouru last Saturday. Utiku OB who were previously lying second in the Wanganui Senior Premier rugby competition were outplayed by a very determined Waiouru team. Waiouru had to win the game on Saturday, if they were to keep their hope of making the "top four team playoffs" alive. Waiouru had the territorial advantage throughout the game, largely due to the commitment shown by their forwards and taking the right options. Both teams were required to make player changes early due to

injury. Ian Hyslop, the rugged Waiouru prop, suffered rib injuries and was replaced by Grub Payton, whilst the Utiku first five eight had to leave the field with concussion. Understandably the Utiku backline became disjointed and lacked composure and Waiouru took full advantage of this. Once again, the Waiouru loose trio excelled. Patrick O' Sullivan made numerous storming runs, while Ox White and Andrew Cathcart wereeach rewarded for their efforts with tries. Ritchie Player, Vern Bennet and Andre Renata were all busy in the tight and Mark T ompson at hooker , i s starting to regain his form ofla^t year. All the Waiouru backs had sound games, but none better than Geoff Sollitt at halfback. He set the backline alight with some crisp passing, and probed the blindside with some accurate kicking and elusive running. Andrew Simpson at first five eight varied the backline play well and his long kicks for touch kept turning Utiku. The strong midfield defence by Dave Hefferean and Chas Noble countered the few attacking problems the Utiku backs made into Waiouru' s half. Tony Greig, Bruce Tamblyn and Anthony Williams all ran with purpose and looked dangerous with the ball in hand. Overall it was not a happy day for Utiku OB as their senior reserve team also suffered a defeat, this time

to the Oasis Hotel Dirty 30' s team. In another hard fought match, Waiouru managed to sneak in a couple of good team tries and then for the majority of the second half stoutly defend to hold off the numerous Utiku attacks. Players of note for Waiouru were Paul Ipipi-Amani, Shaun Thomas, Oods Kaihua, Greg Allnut, Bones Leabourne and Maurice Savage. The final score was Oasis Hotel Dirty 30' s 15, Utiku OB 8. Waiouru' s points were scored by tries to Noble, Williams, Cathcart and White whilst all Utiku 's points were scored from the boot of Chris Karatau. Waiouru' s next game is another "must-win game" against the improving Hunterville side. The game is to be played at Waiouru starting at 2.25 pm. The curtain raiser is Oasis Hotel Dirty 30' s versus WRNC Armoured, that game kicks off at 12.45 pm.