Superb display by forwards and backs defeats Pirates

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 46, 7 May 1985, Page 20

Superb display by forwards and backs defeats Pirates

Northern Wanganui Division Two leaders Taihape Pirates, cameto Ohakune on Saturday knowing that either a draw or a win against the home team would assure them of the title, but it was obvious from the start that the Ohakune-Karioi rugby team were out to spoil the party for the visitors.

The return of Andrew Donald and Steve Gordon lay the foundations for a superb display from forwards and backs alike ensuring the large Ohakune crowd went home happy with their team's 27-9 victory. Pirates had the first opportunity to put points on the board but Graham Mudgway, Wanganui's top scorer thus far this season, missed the penalty attempt. One minute later, Lachlan Harding slotted his attempt through the posts. Ohakune pressure continued and they were rewarded with a Ricky Harding try after twenty minutes followed by another L. Harding penalty. Mudgway, missed another penalty before finally finding his form and kicking two further ones. Right on half-time, L. Harding converted a penalty to make the half-time score 13-6. At the start of the second half. L. Harding featured again by scoring a try in the corner but failed to convert it. A Pirates penalty narrowed the margin to eight points but John Kennedy scored a try in the other corner to virtually seal the match for Ohakune-Karioi. Four minutes later, captain Steve Gordon scored under the posts and L. Harding converted. Although no more points were scored, there was action aplenty as Gordon and Josh Esera featured in an unsavoury incident which saw the Pirates prop sent off for kicking Gordon whilst he was on the ground.

Pirates were unlucky not to score right on full-time, firstly with a try then a missed drop goal attempt from winger Paul O'Halloran. Final score: OhakuneKarioi 27 - R. Harding, L. Harding, J. Kennedy, S. Gordon tries, L. Harding 3 penalties, l conversion. Pirates 9 - Mudgway 3 penalties. Bulletin 'man of the match', Ricky Harding, although it was close between him and brother Kellick.

There is only one word to describe the curtain raiser between Ohakune (B) and Waiouru (A) - farcical! Northern Wanganui admipistrators are to blame for this mis-match, and they would be advised next season to have either four or six teams in Division One playing against each other not against teams that are so patently out of their league! The score-line of 100-3 tells the story. Other results: Division One - Utiku 16, Huia 9.

The final vital games next Sunday afternoon in Division One are: Ohakune (A) v Huia and Waiouru (A) v Utiku. In Division Two: Raetihi (A) v Waiouru (B) (these three at ■ 2.45pm) and Ohakune (B) v R.C.O.B. (1.15pm).

P W L D F A Total Pirates 4 3 1 - 54 37 6 . Ohakune (A) 3 2 1- 55 23 4 Waiouru (A) 3 2 1 - 35 24 4 Utiku 3 I 2 - 20 49 2 Huia 3 - 3 - 15 46 0 Division Two: Irirangi Cf. Raetihi (A) 44: R.C.O.B. 10. Waiouru (B) 10. Waiouru (B) 3 2 - 1 80 22 5 R.C.O.B. 3 2 - 1 58 19 5 Raetihi 'A' 3 2 1 - 70 16 4 Irirangi 4 1 3 - 21111 2 Ohakune (B) 3 - 3 - 19 80 0