Ohakune-Karioi continue their winning way

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 45, 22 April 1986, Page 16

Ohakune-Karioi continue their winning way

Ohakune-Karioi look set to retain their Northern Wanganui domestic title after their 31-11 win over Waiouru at Rochfort Park on Saturday. Despite , being without; several key players, namely Andy Donald, Steve Gordon, Ricky Harding and Bruce Cranston, the team! was too good for the Army visitors. Wanganui representative flanker, Kellick Harding! moved out to play on thel wing for the day with great j success. He scored three ! tries and contributed to many fine Ohakune backline movements. Meanwhile his brother, i Lachlan moved into the fullback position, although there were times in the match when he must have thought he was still a winger. Kellick opened the scor-

ing after ten minutes with a try, followed by another five minutes later by Whetu Mareikura. Ohakune coach Robbie Manson scored the next try under the posts, and with the first half only 25 minutes old, Ohakune were 16 points clear. An Errol Brown penalty followed by an excellent try by Malase Bai narrowed the gap to a respectable halftime score of 16-7. With the second half only five minutes old the Waiouru halfback, Mike Armour was penalised in front of the posts. Harding made no mistake with the penalty. Kellick Harding showed he has a fine turn of speed when he kicked the ball from the halfway line and eventually gathered it near the Waiouru line to score his second try. Waiouru immediately tried to get their backline movingj but dropped passes and solid Ohakune defence prevented them scoring until Shane Bray scored a fine individual try after 16 minutes. But Kellick Harding had the final say as he evaded several tackles to score his third try and cap off a fine performance.

Huia and Waiouru now share second place on four points while Taihape Pirates has two and Utiku have yet to register a win. The prospect of them gaining their first points next week against Ohakune are slim. Other results: Huia 24, Raetihi 9; Utiku 6, Taihape Pirates 18. Senior reserves: OhakuneKarioi 4, Armoured 35. Bulletin man of the match award this week was an easy oije to pick-Kellick Harding for his one-man-band performance for Ohakune.