Thirty years ago

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 3, 11 June 1985, Page 13

Thirty years ago

The first inter-school matches played by Ruapehu College under its new title, resulted in a total victory in both rugby and basketball, this week thirty years ago. A contemporary report of the matches made the comment, "After its defeat the visiting team, Taihape, will no doubt look forward to the day when it is also proclaimed a college." ★ * ★ Mr W. Watson commenced a hairdressing business in the Majestic Buildings, Ohakune Junction this week in 1955. ★ ★ ★ The president of - the Waimarino RSA, Mr J. C. Werry, accompanied by Mr K. Ritchfield, journeyed to Wellington to be present at the annual RSA conference. ★ ★ ★ At the conclusion of the first round of the Ruapehu rugby sub-union's Levin Cup (club championship) competition last Sunday, the undefeated Raetihi XV led the field with 6 points, Ohakune, whose sole loss was to Raetihi, lay 2nd with

4 points, Karioi was 3rd with 2 points and the new Ramblers side, yet to win a game, no points. The only surprise of the round was provided when Ohakune up-ended Karioi for the first time in four years, winning by 8 points to 0. To keen followers of the game, Ohakune's victory was no great surprise in the light of that team's grand showing against Raetihi on the two occasions on which they had met earlier in the season. Sound coaching and thoughtful team building was really beginning to reap dividends as far as this team was concerned and the improvement shown by it was outstanding in such a short time. Conditions for the KarioiOhakune match played at Karioi, could scarcely have been worse except had snow fallen during the game. But even so, the field was in quite good order except for isolated patches of mud. The home side had to do a bit of scratching to field a full 15 with the result that two retired players, McDon-

nell and Johnny Spry were pressed into service. The sight of the latter players ranging the field in long pants throughout the first half was certainly unusual even if the weather was more suited to them than it was to shorts. Surplus weight proved no handicap to Spry and he was in the thick of things from start to finish, while McDonnell did all that was required of him as last line of defence for Karioi. There was absolutely nothing for the brave souls on the sideline to enthusfi over in the first half — indeed they could be forgiven if they imagined that most of the players were frozen stiff, so lethargic were their movements about the field. The Ohakune coach may have delivered a few wellchosen words during the interval or there may have been some other reason, but whatever the cause the transformation in the team from the beginning of the second spell was simply amazing. It was just as well Ohakune did wake up because Karioi sprang into belated life so that the aforesaid hardy souls on the line at last saw football which infused some warmth into their chilled bones. First points were register-

ed when the ball came along the Ohakune back line to Moses who grubber-kicked through to the Karioi full-back. An awkwardly bouncing ball beat the latter and Ohakune forwards carried it at toe through a bustled defence and finally T. Geraghty grabbed it and dashed over for a try which had its beginnings over 70 yards down field. Don Pullman never looked like missing the conversion so that Ohakune had a lead of 5 points with 20 minutes play remaining. Karioi were stung into retaliation and play became heated at times, but referee Mr F. Schroeder of Waiouru kept strict rein on the game, thus preventing it from degenerating into anything undesirable. Finally, near time Moses placed the issue beyond doubt with a try near the corner flag following good work by forwards.