Players taste harsh reality of game

It was schoolboys against lads not much older, but who already knew the harsh nature of playing seniors that led to the latest century score in Wanganui rugby on Saturday.

In the senior competition game in Taihape, the locals ran riot for 16 tries against the visiting Border for a 100-3 massacre, including 64 points in the second half that went unanswered.

Taihape coach Clint Overton said the five-pointers were shared across the team and even "a couple of props" dotted down.

PT Horton, Cory Teeta, Ted Kavanagh and Jay Rewia all scored doubles.

Rewia took the first three conversions and then after that the backs all took their turns at some kicking practice.

When asked what happened in the second half, Overton said his instructions to try some rolling mauls was actually ignored as the temptation to run it proved too great.

"At halftime I could see the game was in the bag so I actually said to the guys to tighten it up practise our set pieces.

"They didn't do that. They got their wind up. It virtually turned into sevens rugby."

Overton said the result ultimately did not help either side Border had many schoolboys who had "played their hearts out" and made good round the legs tackles, but Taihape could unload their passes.

It was a reality of rural rugby as there is not a Colts grade for them to come through, while a lot of the smaller schools do not have First XV's, he said.

"I did say to them at the aftermatch to hold their heads up.

"It was only a few years ago we were in this position with a lot of young guys. Tech and Hunterville were beating us by 50 points."

"Most of our guys are under 19 as well, it's just they've got a few years under their belts to gel."

John Phillip, club liaison officer for the WRFU, said century's were not entirely uncommon as there was 100 points raised in the senior grade game last year.

In 2010 premier rugby, Ruapehu hammered Marton 116-0 in Ohakune, further proof of how far Marton have come in recent times.