Raetihi just fails to dazzle on Saturday

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 11, 11 August 1987, Page 16

Raetihi just fails to dazzle on Saturday

Whilst the Raetihi Captain and manager joked about the bright dazzle paint used to mark the lines on the field for Saturday's game, saying the paint would dazzle the Ratana players, it probably did just that. Straight after kick-off the Raetihi backs made a breakthrough and just missed scoring a try within the first minute. Though Raetihi lost on points the game was even with Raetihi obviously enjoying the new mobile play they have been trying the past few weeks. They are playing entertaining rugby and the crowd is enjoying it. Ratana Coach Murray Ruinui said that he was so nervous that he had to come on as a replacement to control the players to try to get control of the garrie. This was not the sort of rugby he had expected from Raetihi Seniors. James Renata played the best game of his life though someone should stop him next time he tries to use his hands rather than his feet to ruck the ball. The Raetihi pack, which was lacking in a few key players, were better on many occasions than the more experienced Ratana pack. The Raetihi backs seemed to have more penetration

than their opposites. Raetihi's points came from a penalty try after Fahey was pushed before he had the chance to dive for the ball and the casual Waara kicked two penalties. For Ratana the former Ohakune man Marewa Paranihi scored a try and Dennis Ngafuere kicked a conversion, dropped goal and three penalty goals. Score 18-10 to Ratana. Ohakune-Karioi v Utiku Old Boys Ohakune-Karioi scored a good win against Utiku Old Boys in Taihape on Saturday with their tight five playing well. Nuts Morgan with all his gangling legs was stand-in at, of all positions, hooker and even won one or two tightheads. It was good to see the re-

turn of Bruce Cranston strengthening the team for this win. Final score was 20-11 to Ohakune-Karioi' with trys by Cranston, Manson, Harding and Steve Cameron. Harding kicked two conversions. Raetihi Senior Reserves v Taihape Pirates Senior Reserves Raetihi Senior Reserves played at Taihape on Saturday with a try and a conversion plus a penalty by Darren McDonnell giving them a win against the Pirates Senior Reserves. The game was marred by the fact that it had to be cut short 10 minutes because of fighting. Final score 9-6. Ohakune-Karioi Snr Res v Armoured Armoured played the Ohakune-Karioi Senior Reserves at Ohakune with strong forward play and good backline defence being the key factors in Armoured's win.

Armoured scored and converted two quick tries within the first 10 minutes. First five for Ohakune, Andrew Scott had an excellent tactical kicking game with Peter Tyrall having a good game on the wing. James Albert, Bernie Condon and Mike Callihan played well especially in the drives. Ruapehu College v Rangitikei Ruapehu College first fifteen had a good win against Rangitikei College just beating them 9-8. The game was quite bruising, hard and fast. Ruapehu played well but need more coaching.

'Uneouf'