Benefit rugby for cancer victim families

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 658, 15 October 1996, Page 16

Benefit rugby for cancer victim families

By Amiria Tkki In August the rugby fratemity and the Waimarino com munity moumed the loss of Noel Akapita who died of cancer, aged 46. More recently another well known rugby player, Ray (Sammy) Brown, also suffered from cancer. A few Ohakune/Karioi Rugby Club members got together and ' decided they wanted to do something to support the families concerned and to honour the contribution both men had made to rugby. A small committee of Rex Oliver, Tom Hough, Brian Wilson and Tom Mareikura organised the charity match. Unfortunately, Ray Brown died last Friday, 1 1 October, the night before the match. The charity rugby matches held on the grounds of the old Ohakune Karioi Rugby Club on Saturday attracted a crowd of about 400-500 people. People came from as far away as Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Manawata, Rangitikei and Taranaki., They included ex-Northern Wanganui and Wanganui reps, Andy Donald who played for Ohakune as well as the All Blacks, and his brother Geoff who admitted to not having put on a pair of boots for 12 years. The matches were: a mixed team of Ruapehu College First XV (including some adults to make up the numbers) versus a mixed team from the U21's; the Taihape Golden Oldies versus the Ruapehu Rascals; and the main game, between a team of Ruapehu seniors versus an invitation team, with players from both in and out of the region. The matches were played in excellent weather and ground conditions with all games producing some brilliant play and entertaining rugby with lots of tries scored in all games. Shannon Hays, Shaymus Manson, Hubba Mareikura and (the 'dad' of the 1 st XV) Rick Harding all had points on the board. Chris Winter was handy with his boot converting tries. Richard

Ormond Clay Winter, Fabian Marumaru and Samuel Arahanga were just a handful of boys who seemed to give their all. In the Golden Oldies match there were plenty of good players working hard and having fun at the same time, Tom Spry, Bully Chambers, Brian Wilson, Proudie, Ging Hall, Robert Brown, Nonie Brown — the list goes on. Before the main game Ethne Carmichael led a group of line dancers for some western entertainment, then Vera Wilson, from Maungarongo Marae, led a group of youngsters from Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa with their version of boogie. Invitation The invitation match followed, with such past players as Mike Gordon and brother Steve, both ex-rep players, Andy and Geoff Donald, Bruce Cranston, Lachlan and Kellick Harding, Matthew, Whetu and Tom Mareikura, Jeff Fahey and lots more besides. Playing for Ruapehu seniors were people like, Brendon Kavanagh, Murray Morris, Mervin Fielding, Paul Trow, Arron McCann, Deevon Grey, Ray Crapp and Fonzie Gordon and lots of reserves, who just wanted to have a game and be part of the rugby afternoon. During the after match function, Rex Oliver, the club's president welcomed everyone and thanked them for their generous support. He paid tribute to the late Noel Akapita and Ray Brown and thanked all those who were so willing to play in or support the matches. Mr Oliver thanked the breweries, Ohakune Butchers, Ray Spry, the Ohakune Hotel, Steve Gordon, the Harding family, the Waiouru RSA and golf clubs for their donations. Mathew Mareikura thanked everyone on behalf of the Akapita and Brown families. Scores: All six teams won.