Dismal weekend for Rugby

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 5, 30 June 1987, Page 16

Dismal weekend for Rugby

What a dismal weekend for rugby in the Waimarino. In generally wet conditions all but Waiouru Armoured were defeated. At the College on Friday the second and first fifteen both lost to Taihape College in their annua! interschool matches. In the first fifteen match Shaun Henderson scored a smart try one minute before full-time with Regan Sue converting adding to the penalties he had earlier put over. Results 16-12 to Taihape, the second fifteen lost as well 26-3. For the first fifteen this is not a promising result in anticipation to the big clash between the visiting Australian, Brisbane Church Grammar rugby team which was to be played today (Tuesday). Ohakune under-19 lost to Hunterville under-19 36-0. Still, an improvement considering that the Big Hunterville team won the last clash 64-0. According to Coach Kerry Drinkwater the Ohakune Senior Reserves were outgunned all round by the Huia Senior Reserves. With the score being only 14-0 to Huia I feel sure that the local boys played well. In Raetihi the Senior Reserves lost to the strong Armoured team. The forwards played well but the

inexperienced backline reshuffled because of Senior Team duties for their two top backs, could not contain the strong attack by the soldiers who eventually won the game 18-0 scoring two outstanding runaway tries. Raetihi Snrs Two Annual General Meetings ago I saw many gather to pledge support for Raetihi rugby. The time is now ripe for them and the usual staunch supporters to get behind the Senior team representing their town again.

consistency in their play and no constructive work, no setting up, no support play and very little tackling. I saw a team of players that individually and theoretically are an excellent team but not the fine team they can be. Marsh Tangaroa leads and rallies the team but he is no longer the aggressive player of old. Tangaroa, who has played in Rep rugby for Waikato and Wanganui through the age groups with only senior rep status eluding him, is possibly one of the best captains in the area but is also an excellent player without the burdens of captaincy. He proved this under Jos Esera for North Wanganui Reps on Sunday. There are many who will disagree with this theory but I would never mention it if I wasn't sure that there is someone else in the team whom Marsh would support to the fullest. On Saturday Bernard Crowley scored after Raetihi's one and only movement through the backline. Robert Harris had to be carried off by stretcher with suspected broken ribs. Final score 12-4. If Raetihi lose to Hunterville next week they get relegated to the 3rd Division. Kaierau was the better team in the greasy conditions against the OhakuneKarioi Seniors. Ohakune

pushed their forwards about but were unable to beat them in the lineouts. Ohakune was lacking in crucial players. Robbie Manson had to play in the unfamiliar position of halfback due to rep commitments by Whetu Mareikura and Lachlan Harding and the team was further weakened by the injuries of Ricky Harding, Kellick Harding and Bruce Cranston who have been sidelined for two weeks. Cranston said that the team took the wrong options on the day especially the greasy ball creating knock-ons and bad catching and although Ray Brown bagged two penalties, two more crucial kicks within the 22 were missed. Steve Gordon played an excellent game this week and would have been dangerous if the conditions were better. Hugh Donald played his usual safe game at fullback. Final score 13-6 to Kaierau. In Hunterville Waiouru Seniors lost to Hunterville Seniors 21-6. Waiouru only just managed to field a team for the game, having many players away on leave or iniured.

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