Late scoring evens game

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 246, 14 June 1988, Page 16

Late scoring evens game

Ohakune-Karioi just managed to save face with a draw against Marton Athletic o n Saturday. The game was played at Marton in fine weather though it was heavy underfoot. The pattern of the game was set from the kick-off with a n Ohakune-Karioi forward tapping the ball back. The ball was scrambled into touch on the 2 0 metre line. Marton Athletic forwards were playing with vigour taking the game to Ohakune-Kar-ioi. Ohakune-Karioi forwards were too

loose, not driving as a unit and missing first tackles on Marton Athletic forwards driving around rucks and lineouts. Half-time- saw the score nil all with Marton Athletic at a slight advantage. The second half saw much the same pattern of play, with Ohakune-Karioi backs trying to run the ball from defensive situations with a minimum and slow supply of ball. With 10 minutes to go Ohakune-Karioi forwards finally decided to keep their heads down and drive together as a

pack. The backs, with a better supply of ball, made a good run down the right wing with the move finishing a metre from Marton Athletic's line. From the following lineout Shane Sutton scored with good blocking from the forwards and a drive over the line. The conversion failed but with five minutes to go the match looked safe for OhakuneKarioi. However OhakuneKarioi did not help their cause, failing to take the ball from the kick-off.

With time almost up Marton-Athletic spun the ball from yet another penalty to the backs with their centre running strongly to score in the corner. The conversion missed and the fina] whistle was blown with the score at four all. A bad feature of the game was the number of missed tackles, by Ohakune-Karioi backs especially. Mike Wills with a solid scrumming efforl stuck to his job well and was named Player of the Day.