Ruapehu rugby post a win and a loss

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 687, 20 May 1997, Page 20

Ruapehu rugby post a win and a loss

The Ruapehu Rugby teams played both their games at home again this week, this time at their Raetihi field. The challenge for both was against Utiku with the seconds posting a convincing win 29-0 and the Firsts unfortunately pipped at the post 48-44. Although the Firsts went down, they were within seven points of the win and managed to gain two bonus points, putting them within contention in the number three position for the top place in their grade. The seconds took to the field first in sunny, mild conditions. In minutes of kick off, good clean ball to Taku Edmonds who played in the full-back position saw him run away with an excellent try in the corner. The kick went unconverted. Utiku immediately went on attack, with full back Bob Barrell proving fairly handy with the boot and putting the ball closer to their goal line. What could have been a good try by Ruapehu' s No 9 Chock Taura was disallowed because of a forward pass. A scrum went to Utiku and from there, seconds later Ruapehu

incurred a penalty for being off-side. A penalty goal attempt failed to reach its target. The half-time score remained 5-0 to Ruapehu' s credit. Utiku tightened up its defence while Ruapehu was a little scrappy — a high tackle by Morris saw him sinbinned for 10 minutes, but back on the field and ball in hand he found a gap to charge home for a second try , which Edmonds converted (12-0). No 4 also on the job scored another try for Ruapehu and in 10 minutes No 7 Chris Phillips went over the line (24-0). Eugene Wilson and Boy Cribb both had good games with Eugene bringing the curtain down for Ruapehu with the final try, the score 29-0. Turn to Page 1B

Ruapehu rugby

From Page 20 Senior Firsts The senior first game was a much closer encounter and as much as Ruapehu needed a win Utiku were equally determined to shut them out. From the kick-off Utiku's ball went out on the full giving Ruapehu a scrum feed. A penalty goal attempt to Ruapehu for an infringement by Utiku went away to the left. From the kick off again Utiku went on attack and drove Ruapehu back in their territory and out over the line. From the lineout which Utiku won, good passing saw them in sight of a try. But Ruapehu tackled well and held things at bay for abit. Ruapehu were of-side and gave Utiku a chance for a penalty goal by their No 10 Chris Kuratau, the score 3-0 to Utiku. Another penalty went Utiku's way, Ruapehu having taken a man out without the ball. Ruapehu dug deep and from off-side play a penalty to Ruapehu saw them feed the ball from a tap kick to the front row prop Tom Rawiri and his driving force sent the ball over for the first try. Chris Winter converted the try (7-6). Another penalty went Ruapehu's way and was successful. Utiku went on attack again and then they narrowed the gap with a penalty goal, Ruapehu's nose just in front, 10-9. Brendon Kavanagh was able to free the ball and set Terry Taumata up, following a penalty to Utiku for going in over the top, for their next try and Chris Winter converted, (17-9). A converted try followed in Utiku's favour, the gap then narrowed to one point for Ruapehu. Mario Marekura Ruapehu's full back, had a brilliant run for

more poinis, wnicii wunei converted taking the half time score to 24-16. The second half saw play swing backwards and forwards in each others' favour. Utiku put points on the board first with a try, not converted, (24-21). Winter kicked a penalty goal for Ruapehu (2721), then Chris Kuratau did the same for Utiku (27-24). A converted try went Utiku's way (31-27). At that point the game was a little scrappy but then both sides settled. A penalty goal to Ruapehu closed the gap again 3 1-30 to Utiku. Utiku founda gap and ran away with another try notching up points that were converted 38-30. They then gai ned another penalty goal and Ruapehu found themselves having to dig deep. Paul Trow was the driving force this time and he went over in the corner for a welldeserved try that Winter converted (41-37 to Utiku). Utiku then scored another converted try. Still Ruapehu plugged a^y.apdTpqy Taumata did * 5 the honOursronce again for' * « * Ruap&hu «with a -great try which Winter converted. The- * 'ffhtll score 48-44 lo'lAiku.