Gold FM Rugby Report With PGG Wrightson

Posted by Graham Culton on 18/06/2012

Big Day for Waihi Senior Rugby On The Weekend

Waihi Athletic Senior A & B rugby sides helped make the Sponsors Day even more successful with 2 good victories over their Waihou opponents. Played under cool breezy conditions in front of a big home crowd, the senior B’s started the day recording a 42-22 victory in a game resulting in plenty of running rugby, with some good team tries.

The senior A’s knew they had a hard act to follow, but struck immediately with a great try to Joe Davies inside the 1st minute of play. Waihou responded quickly with a try of their own, before Waihi finished the half with another good try which gave them a 12-7 lead going into the break.

Playing into the breeze in the 2nd half seemed to make the Waihi side more determined. This 40 minutes of rugby was probably one of the best halves this side has played this season, with great forward work & slick backline play, they scored another 3 tries & a penanlty goal, to run out deserved winners 25-14. With a bonus point win, they have cemented 2nd place on the championship table only 1 point behind Thames, who play in 2 weeks time. Wih 6 starting players all injured for this weeks match & losing star player Brett Ranga early in the 1st half, Waihi replaced those players, with some standout performers, showing what great depth they have this year.

With such a great team performance it was hard to pick players of the day, but it was given to Shane van den Lowe who had a fine game on the wing and forward Adam Ryan, who is back after 3 years away from the game.