Medals galore at Games

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 674, 18 February 1997, Page 1

Medals galore at Games

The week of sports and competition at this year's Masters Games in W anganui was attended by many Waimarino sports persons. Very hot dry weather throughout the week made conditions for some of the more active sporting events very trying but the friendliness between competitors in all the events made them very enjoyable. Some Waimarino competitors excelled in their chosen events and many medals were won despite strong opposition. It is thought Jill Evans and Tom Spry robbed the athletic pavilion as they returned with 16 gold, silver and bronze medals between them. It must be something in the water at Rangataua. Former local, Steve Gordon, also picked up some medals in his age grade. Bernice Frost won two golds in the equestrian events and a silver was earned by Puna Windle' s team in the polocrosse. Rumour has it, that if Puna, who was also thejudge, could add properly, they would have won the gold. The high standard of darts in this area showed through, with gold medals going to the ladies foursome. Dave Herewini and Greg Windle also won gold in their division. Colin and Jocelyn Cranston made badminton a family affair when, after teaming with Jocelyn' s sister Kate, they won a gold, silver and bronze in their sections.

The other family success, was the Wallace/Most/Foster mixed netball team which won a bronze medal, in a very competitive field. They did have help though as they adopted Eunice Tumaturoa for the tournament, but age took its toll and word is that she is still on crutches. Other medals went to Alan 'Bugsy ' Foster in the pistol shooting, to the mixed fours bowls team, to Bubs Hibbard in the golf and to Robin Pratt in the ladies squash. Gordon Mottram, using a .38 calibre pistol, won three gold medals in three different pistol-shooting events: NRA, Practical and Steel. All other local competitors no doubt tried their best and the personal stories of their wins and losses and of the fun and camaraderie they enjoyed during the games is something to be remembered and to look forward to next time. The hard luck story of the Games would have to go to the Ruapehu Rascals Golden Oldies Rugby team, who entered the volleyball for a laugh. They then won four out of five competition games, but bombed out in their final game, and just missed out on a medal. "Probably just as well as we would never hear the end of it," said Brian Wilson of Ohakune who supplied the above details.