COAT HANGER: Ruapehu hooker and Heartland squad player, 18-year-old Gabriel Hakaraia, gets the treatment from the Marton lads during its 21-17 loss in Ohakune on Saturday.PHOTO/MERRILYN GEORGE 280615WCMGGABRIEL-HAKARAIA
COAT HANGER: Ruapehu hooker and Heartland squad player, 18-year-old Gabriel Hakaraia, gets the treatment from the Marton lads during its 21-17 loss in Ohakune on Saturday.PHOTO/MERRILYN GEORGE 280615WCMGGABRIEL-HAKARAIA
NGAMATAPOURI are on track to achieve their goal and win the Wanganui Senior Rugby premiership in its first season in more than 60 years.
The Waitotara Valley team went into its match against unbeaten defending champions Kelso Hunterville distracted by last weekend's storm which cut many of the players offfrom civilisation. In fact, on Friday a mob of 28 players, wives, friends and children were flown over the blockades to be first driven to Wanganui for a last minute training run before being transported up to Hunterville on match day.
Despite the obstacles and several yellow cards that left Ngamatapouri two players short for a time, the farm boys and beekeepers kept Hunterville to a 10-all draw. It was Hunterville's first non-win of the season and the first time it had not won at home in six years. However, Hunterville retained the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield.
The draw, and fact that Speirs Food Marton beat Ruapehu 21-17 in Ohakune, almost assures Ngamatapouri a semifinal berth (probably against Ruapehu) in three weeks time and the chance to play Hunterville in the final.
The only doubt in Ngamatapouri manager Gerald Pearce's mind is whether that will be a home or an away match.
"We will win the competition - we've always said that, "a confident Pearce said yesterday.
"The boys played extremely well on Saturday and the yellow cards were not for anything nasty. One of our guys got two yellows, so he was off and at one point we were two players down, but Hunterville didn't score during that time."
Should Pearce's prediction come to fruition and Ngamatapouri secure a home semi, the rival team will need to cope with the distractions and be flown into the flood-damaged Waitotara Valley.
Meanwhile, the Marton/Ruapehu match was not without its controversy. The Wanganui Rugby Union was short of referees and the game at Rochfort Park was controlled by a non-ticketed official. He drew criticism - mainly from Ruapehu supporters - for his lack of control and allowing extra time.
However, it would only be heard at judicial level if one or both of the teams made an official complaint.
In other senior matches Kaierau beat Ratana 28-24 at home, while Border beat Marist Buffalo 25-17 at Dallison Park. Sealswinslow Pirates beat Taihape by default and Kaiwhaiki-Counties (1) beat Utiku OB by default.
