Ohakune-Karioi flattens Raetihi in rugby opening

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 43, 8 April 1986, Page 16

Ohakune-Karioi flattens Raetihi in rugby opening

New Raetihi coach Les Parr must be wondering why he took on the job after his team's woeful performance at the Waimarino Showgrounds on Saturday against Oha-kune-Karioi. If there was a tackle to be! missed then his team did it. Not only did they miss tackles but they seemed unable to get close to any of the Ohakune backs when it really mattered. The scoreline of Ohakune 56-Raetihi 0 flattered Raetihi as had Ohakune's kickers been more accurate the score could have been closer to 70! Raetihi's forwards had patches of brilliance and Parr must have been proud of their spirit in the face of continual Ohakune attaeks. The day belonged to Ohakune and coach Robbie Manson who said after the game he had nothing but praise for his team and particularly the 'new boys' in the squad who had excelled themselves. Captain Steve Gordon led his troops admirably and pitched in with a hat trick of tries while Decade Akapita

celebrated his first game for Ohakune with two tries. Next week Raetihi must find new resolve to defeat Utiku at Taihape while Ohakune face Huia at Rochfort Park, Ohakune. Ohakune reserves defeated Raetihi reserves 7-3 in the curtain raiser. Over at Taihape the matches between Waiouru and Utiku and Taihape Pirates and Huia, were played in excellent conditions. Waiouru proved that they were the team to test Ohakune with a well constructed 20-8 victory. The Army team started strongly but surprisingly it was Utiku who took the lead with an Andrew Carpenter try in the corner, after 15 minutes.

Waiouru's Danny Boy replied shortly afterwards with a try which Errol Brown converted. A further Army try shortly before half-time gave them a lead of 10-4. Utiku were not out of the game and after five minutes of the second half they struck back through an Adrian Bull try. Waiouru were quick to respond with a try from Mike Armour which Brown converted. Another Waiouru try after 35 minutes sealed their victory. Huia provided the shock of the day with a win over Taihape Pirates 7-3. The Bulletin man of the match award as judged by Forward Pass was Ohakune captain Steve Gordon, while Mark Bennett, Decade Akapita, Dave Fatialofa, Errol Brown and Steve Cameron can count themselves unlucky at not receiving 1986,'s first much sought after award.