American football played despite prison strike

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 656, 1 October 1996, Page 12

American football played despite prison strike

Two games of American Football were amalgamated into one last Saturday after the recent prison strike disrupted plans. Soldiers from units in Waiouru were called in to cover for striking prison wardens including players from the American Football team, the Queen Alexandra' s Mounted Rifles Crashing Boars. The QAMR Crashing Boars were meant to play the Wanganui Royals and the Hutt Valley Chargers in two separate clashes this month. Instead the teams amalgamated into the Western and Southern conferences with the QAMR Crashing Boars joining with the Wanganui Royals (Western conference) to play against a Wellington based side made up of mainly Hutt V alley Charger players. The clash resulted in a 1 2-all draw which was a good showing

organiser Staff Sergeant Julius Schweneke said. "For a lot it was only their second game. For some it was their third. A lot of people on the sideline said they were very impressed. The Hutt Valley Chargers play all the time," Ssgt Schweneke said. Local lads to score touchdowns (TD's) were TroOper Paul Ipipi-Amani with a running play for a TD and Trooper Troy Pahi with a passing play for a TD. Other local input was essential for the game Ssgt Schweneke said. The Waiouru soccer club' s field marker was used to paint the 120 yard grid iron patch, PAE moved the goal posts required and the rugby club supplied the goal post pads. "So everybody pitched in," Ssgt Schweneke said.