Midgets play a tough and tight game

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 15, 3 September 1985, Page 24

Midgets play a tough and tight game

The second match between the Ohakune and Raetihi schoolboy Midgets rugby team and the Cambridge Bay Juniors from Austraiia in Ohakune on Thursday was described as "the hardest game the boys will ever play," by the president of the Australian club, Mr Peter Simpson. The 31 junior Midgets played two games in Oha-

kune, against Raetihi/ Ohakune A and B teams. The Australians stayed in Ohakune for two days after playing in Auckland against the Glendowie / Birkenhead team. After their stay in Ohakune, they were to play against Western Suburbs in Wellington before returning home on Sunday. In the first game, Ohakune/ Raetihi won 24-4 with prop, Bernard Phillips and wing, Junior Kaata playing well. Junior scored one try

and two conversions and Caleb Dempsey and Daryn Norling both scored one try each. Ivan Wiari scored two tries for the team. In the second game, president Peter Simpson said he could not pick out a man of the match as the whole team played very well. "Rugby was the winner of the game, " he said. All the players were very determined, "three players should have gone off but they wouldn't," said Mr Simpson. "It was a very tough and very tight game." Brendon Wills and Brent Henare both played well in the second match for the Ohakune team. The Cambridge Bay team were hosted in Ohakune at the Maungaronga Marae and after the games, were treated to a trip up the mountain. In Auckland and Wellington, the teams were billeted out in private homes but here they enjoyed the experience of living on the marae. The Australians are the first overseas team who have ever played the Midgets in Ohakune. BADMINTON Ohakune's B Grade Interclub team had mixed fortunes at Wanganui on Sunday 1 September, being beaten 5-3 by Wanganui III, but then winning 5-3 against St Pauls I. The tougher competition outside the sub-region is beginning to show positive results.

After the games, a lunch was held at the Ruapehu Lions clubrooms where Ohakune coach, Dana Blackburn presented Mr Simpson with a framed photograph of Ohakune and Mt Ruapehu from the air. In return, Mr Simpson presented Mr Blackburn with two pendants of the Cambridge Bay JRFC.