Waiouru win

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 646, 23 July 1996, Page 13

Waiouru win

Shell Waiouru scored aconvincing 34-13 win over Hunterville on Saturday in the senior premier rugby competition, keeping them in contention for being one of the top four teams that will play off in the Wanganui rugby premiership final. Shell Waiouru's victory was guaranteed after scoring three good team tries within the first fifteen minutes of the game. Waiouru took no notice of the pre-match hype that indicated that Hunterville's large forward pack would dominate

and in fact the reverse was true. Led by the man of the match prop Bryce Dixon, all the Waiouru forwards played well, with numerous barging runs, aggressive driving into the rucks and mauls and good, close, support play. Other forwards to stand out were lock Vern Bennett and flankers Andrew Cathcart and Patrick Sullivan who also picked up two tries. Once again Geoff Sollitt was a play-maker at half back and Andrew Simpson at first five eight varied the backline play well with some long cut out passes and deft touches with his boot. Chas Noble at centre as usual was a rock in defence as was David Hefferean at second five eight. Tony Grieg and Bruce Tamblyn on the wings both ran hard with the ball in hand, and made the best us of the opportunities that went their way. Anthony Williams was his usual reliable self at fullback and made several penetrating runs when he came into the backline. Overall it was a good team performance as they played with purpose and to a pattern to which Hunterville had no

answer. Coach Steve Pantling should be happy but the team still must win next Saturday against Kaierau, that game to be played in Wanganui.