Ohakune A and Old Boys both champions

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 47, 14 May 1985, Page 20

Ohakune A and Old Boys both champions

Northern Wanganui champions in both the first and second divisions were decided at Rochfort Park on Sunday. Ohakune (A) defeated Huia 33-6 to share their title while Ruapehu College Old Boys thrashed OhakuneKarioi (B) 62-4 to win Division Two outright. The curtainraiser provided a feast of tries for the large crowd many of whom had come in the hope of seeing R.C.O.B. continue their winning form of last season. They were not to be disappointed as Walter Sue's boys, who were held to a sedate 24-0 half-time lead, broke loose in the second half with Robert Taituma amassing an impressive 28 points for the match. A last minute consolation try by Graham Holland warmed the Ohakune-Karioi supporters up for their main match against bottom placed Huia. There was an air of apprehension as the spectators saw Steve Gordon, Bruce Cranston and Ricky Harding on the sideline, all carrying injuries. They were joined by Lachlan Harding immediately after he had opened the scoring with a penalty goal after seven minutes. To their immense credit, the young backs responded to captain for the day Andrew Donald, showing that Ohakune-Karioi need have no fears in this department for the more serious matches ahead. Gerard Hipango and Joe Herewini in particular looked impressive both on attack and in defence. Hipango scored the first try for his side which he was unable to convert, but did so later in the half after Ray Brown slotted down between the posts. A 1 3-0 half-time lead was a fair indication of the run of play with the Huia team unlucky not to have points on the board after some excellent attacking work midway through the half. When in the second half they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, they decided to add to the spirit of the game by taking a tap kick instead. They came close to a try on three occasions only to be foiled by strong Ohakune-

Karioi defence. That signalled 'break-out' time for the home backs who ran the ball at every opportunity and were rewarded with tries by Brendan Wilson, Andrew Donald and Whetu Mareikura. Richard McLean scored a well deserved last minute try for Huia which was converted by Darryl Smallman. Bulletin 'Man of the Match' award to Richard Matthews whose try at the start of the second half was an individual effort. Matthews received the ball just past the half way line and evaded several tackles to score a fine try. His all round work was impressiveand on the day he proved an able substitute for Cranston. Ohakune-Karioi 33 - G. Hiponga, R. Brown, R. Matthews, B. Wilson, A. Donald and W. Mareikura tries, L. Harding penalty, Hiponga 3 conversions. Huia 6 - R. McLean try, D. Smallman conversion. Ohakune Karioi (B) 4 - G. Holland try. R.C.O.B. 62 - R. Taituma 4, R. Tihema 3, P. Tamati3,T. Martin, J. Minihara, K. Brown tries, Taituma 6 conversions and Brown 1. ★ ★ ★ At Raetihi, Waiouru (B) were held to a 1 0- 1 0 draw by the home team to ensure R.C.O.B. held the second division title to themselves. ★ ★ ★ Waiouru (A), playing at home against Utiku, held out for a 1 3-10 win to share the championship with Taihape Pirates and OhakuneKarioi (A). Errol Brown was the hero of the day when he cooly slotted home a penalty in the last minute for Waiouru (A).

Children from standard one upwards took part in the Raetihi Primary School cross-country sports day last week.

The thirty fastest runners in the event will travel to an inter-school cross country sports day at Ngamatea on 29th May where children from Waiouru, Rangataua,

Ohakune and Orautoha will compete. Results from Wednesday's sports day were as follows: Senior Girls: 1st Cheryl Hinana - time 10.20, 2nd Cindy Langdon, 3rd Jane Boswell. Senior Boys: lst Aaron McCann - time 9.02, 2nd Ray Charles Herewini, 3rd Pierre Todd.

Intermediate Girls: 1st Pauline Tau - time 9.51, 2nd Hayley Webb, 3rd Sally Ann Christiansen. Intermediate Boys: 1st Chris Winter - time 9.12, 2nd Raymond McDougall, 3rd Rodney Donghi. Junior Girls: 1st Sherry Hansen - time 9.54; 2nd Lee McCann, 3rd Tina Bishop. Junior Boys: Hayden Hall - time 8.43, 2nd Shaun McLean, 3rd Dalton Waara.