Crowd treated to tries and nostalgia by golden oldies

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 14, 2 September 1986, Page 28

Crowd treated to tries and nostalgia by golden oldies

The Ohakune versus Raetihi Golden Oldies Rugby game played at Raetihi on Saturday was certainly entertaining to watch. The game tied at 26 all, with good performances by Raetihi players John Mcllroy, Harry Finlay, Tommy McGahan, Tuni Henare and John Law. Ohakune players Murray Wills, brothers Willy and Rangi Wilson, Murdoch Henare and Noni Brown played credibly. Special mention should be made to Ritchie Akapita, one of the oldest players, who showed up a few of the younger ones; also Jackie Condon and Dean Waeroa. Tries for Raetihi came fromJ. Mcllroy, H. Finlay, Goose Grossard, B. Johns and K. Haitana. Conversions were kicked by S. Crawshaw, H. Blackburn and T. Henare. Ohakune players M. Wills, J. Bennett, Tom Spry, C. Wise and Noni Brown scored tries with the Wilson brothers converting three. The game was played in excellent spirits, with the trophy, a maire log, being shared by both teams. It is hoped the the"Log of Wood" match will become an annual event, after the success of Saturday's game.

Bottles of wine were presented to the oldest players from each team and to the referee, Colin Pedley, now of Auckland, who is a familiar face to many. Coach of the Raetihi team in the 1950s, and on Saturday, Des O'Donnell, is remembered as an All-black

in 1949. He heard of the Golden Oldies game while he was in Ireland! Raetihi's success may have been partly due to their enthusiastic band of cheerleaders who paraded in green and gold miniskirts and rugby jerseys, chanting a rousing: "Yah yah green.

yah yah gold, always keen and never too old!" Ohakune - eat your heart out! The biggest crowd of the year was treated to a memorable game and participants enjoyed the evening afterwards - even though feeling a bit sore!!