Raetihi seniors thrive on new running game

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 10, 4 August 1987, Page 16

Raetihi seniors thrive on new running game

Two things stood out in local rugby this weekend. The first was bad support from local fans and players and the second was questionable refereeing from the men in white in two of the games played by local teams. Raetihi Snrs v Hunterville The Raetihi rugby team was playing their best game of the season on Saturday, leading 7-0 at half time when some locals decided to give vocal support to the Hunterville side because they were the supposed underdogs. The local players disappointment was noticeable, especially when they were enjoying an unusual win. The Raetihi Senior team won their game against a youthful Hunterville side 21-10 with the return of Richard Ormond who helped tighten up the forwards game. The backs ran

the ball on many occasions thus creating scores for Jeff Reid, Fahey, Waara ajid Te Moana. Thomas Waara kicked one penalty and Fahey one conversion. Raetihi seems to be thriving on their new running game. Ohakune Under-19s v Waverley The Ohakune under-19 versus Waverley under 19 was a good game for the local boys, though the game was quite scrappy and noisy. The local team improved on their game against the bigger Waverley team as the score was about 60-0 at their last meeting. Daniel Tehuia scored Ohakune's only points with a try from a backline movement. Final score 24-4 to Waverley. Ohakune-Karioi Snrs v Huia This game seemed cairn except towards the end

when the tension mounted resulting in two players going to hospital, one for suspected broken ribs the other for a torn ear. Two players were sent to the sin bin while one was sent to an early shower. Ray Brown played an excellent game under pressure as did Lachlan Harding. Whetu Mareikura played at 2nd five - not an unfamiliar position for him as he played there several times while at school. He started badly but eventually settled down. The Ohakune forwards held their own against the far heavier Huia pack. Perhaps with their now classy backline which includes Hemi Mareikura it was inevitable that they would win the game 12-9. The Huia team which has several ex-rep players looked strong. Hekanui and Turnbull kicked penalties.

Raetihi Snr Reserves v Utiku Snr Reserves The Raetihi team lost to Utiku possibly because of the late arrival of the coach and gear, and what they considered to be a questionable referee. The game was scrappy with Francis Brooks, Robert Edmonds and Grant Pope scoring tries. Raetihi lost by one point. Score 18-19. Ruapehu College v Cadets The Ruapehu College 1st fifteen had their best game of the season so far though went down to Cadets 1 100. Michael Wills played an excellent game in the forwards as did player of the day Alan Prince in the backs. Ohakune Snr Reserves v Panthers The Ohakune Senior Reserves were cleaned out by the Panthers in the for-

wards and the backs losing 25-6 to Panthers. It was said that Ohakune was short of many key players because they decided to stay in the local rather than brave the strong cross winds on Patterson field. The Ohakune Senior reserves lost the Robert Cleaver Shield in this game after winning it only last week. T ineout"