Staff Reporter

King Country has beaten defending champions West Coast 46-44 in extra time at Rugby Park in Te Kuiti today to take out the Heartland Championship's Lochore Cup.

Tries to the high flying Latrell Smiler, Ah-Kiong, Cody Nordstrom 2, Leveson Gower, Logan Patterson and Liam Rowlands and five conversions and two penalties to Patrick Hedley.

Read: Sunday's Cup Day

King Country wins Lochore Cup

Andy Campbell

Te Kūiti will host the Heartland Championship’s Lochore Cup final on Sunday for the first time in eight years when King Country takes on West Coast.

King Country made the final after beating Ngāti Porou East Coast 34-31 on Owen Delany Park in Taupō last week.

The province’s most capped player Paul Mitchell said he was expecting a good turnout at Rugby Park for the 2.05 pm match. Ground capacity is 3000 but Mitchell said he would be happy with 500.

The Rams coach Aarin Dunster – who played more than a century of games for the province - held the cup aloft in 2015 as captain.

They beat North Otago 47-34 that day.

King Country has been runner up twice – in 2006 when Poverty Bay beat them 46-34 and in 2016 when the Rams lost 44-22 to North Otago in Te Kūiti.

In the Heartland Championship, the teams ranked one to four at the end of the round robin play for the Meads Cup – named after King Country legend Colin Meads - while the teams ranked five to eight play for the Lochore Cup – named after Wairarapa-Bush and All Blacks captain Brian Lochore.

Both were knighted for their services to rugby.

Lots of points scored in the semifinal was no pointer for the final, said Mitchell.

“That means nothing now, she’s a one-off game. It’s still at home – you like to feel that you are going to be the favourites anyway.

“One and two got kicked out. Thames Valley was three and Mid-Canterbury were four. A betting man would never have picked that, I can tell you right now.”

Mitchell thinks the King Country forwards will take it on and help get the ball out wide where a lot of the season’s tries have been scored.

“We have got a big back line counterattack but West Coast will still spin it pretty wide as well, but if they get into the close quarters they will go back to their strengths, which is their forward pack – especially round the try line.

“They’ve got one more game, there’s nothing after this and there’s a trophy to lift at the end. They can’t hold back.”

The weather was looking good for Sunday (partly cloudy, light winds and a high of 21) which he expected would favour King Country.

Sunday's cup day

Norris Woodbine

The Waitomo Rugby Club out-performed many of their Waikato rugby opponents on the weekend when finishing as beaten finalists in the Suburbs Rugby Sevens.

The tournament attracted teams from Auckland, Counties, Bay of Plenty and Waikato and as usual was played in front of a large crowd of highly vocal spectators.

Waitomo were seeded fifth of the six teams in their draw and turned the tournament on its head – winning four pool games and going down narrowly in the final.

The first win was by default over Putāruru and the second produced a 33-20 win over Frankton, who fielded a large pack and exerted early dominance after scoring an early five pointer.

Next up was the closest encounter of the day as Te Rapa provided sterner opposition and tries to Jiuta Muatabu and Hedley were countered in kind before Delane Bell scorched past some tiring defenders for what appeared to be the winning try.

Te Rapa had other ideas and levelled the scores late in the game before conceding a penalty in front of the posts which Taninaloka Coolly slotted.

Hinuera lay in wait and the boys from Matamata proved to be too strong and the 28–17 scoreline was a fair reflection.

A place in the final was sealed with a win 19-0 win over Suburbs as Waitomo adapted superbly to conditions safter a thunderous down pour.

Hinuera had won the pool and proved to be a little too strong again in the final however a much closer encounter ensued as defence took precedence in a scoreless first half.

Hinuera scored early in the second spell and notched a second before an electric Cory Sargent break set the big crowd into raptures as he outpaced the cover to score. At 12-7 the game hung in the balance only for a third try right on fulltime saw Hinuera pull away.

Waitomo side came away having created a great impression on many on the side lines and their opponents as well and brought a lot from the experience.

Waitomo send seeds scattering

Paul Charman

A good turnout of young motocross riders from across the North Island is expected to contest the Ōtorohanga Schools MX Challenge 2024, at Puketotara next Friday.

Maurice Hayman, who is organising the October 18 South Waikato Motorcycle Club event, says schools fixtures of this type have been held for at least 10 years but this will be the first at the Bennett family farm on Ngutunui Rd.

Hayman said schools motocross events he had organised were originally run at Rotorua and Hauraki Plains, and have expanded out across the North Island from there.

The two-day event at Puketotara is expected to attract about 300 young riders from Whangarei, Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki. Most of them would race on a course about 2km long, providing lap times of about two minutes.

Primary and intermediate riders would ride a cut-down version of the main track.

The school-age riders race in five main competitive classes: a 12-16 years 85cc two-stroke class; a 12-14 years 125cc to 250cc four-stroke class; a 15-19 years 125cc two-stroke class; a 15-19 250 four-stroke class and a 12-19 years women’s class. In addition there will be two novice classes.

“These last categories are usually the ones which fill up first,” Hayman said.

“We get a lot of ‘newbies’ who may ride at home on the farm and it gives them the opportunity to come along and try out riding motocross, but without worrying about obtaining a competition licence,” Hayman said.

Chase Kete, of Pokuru, will be campaigning his KTM 125cc two-stroke machine at the Ngutunui Rd event.

The fifteen-year-old has been riding bikes since he was aged five or six years old.

He said motocross was now his chosen sport and one he hoped to stay with, “as long as I possibly can”.

Kete hoped a good crowd would turn out to enjoy the specatacle on Thursday.

“A lot of people like motocross because its high action. So I’d say don’t worry about the dust and the noise, just come along and have a watch,” Kete said.

Quin Hall, 16, will be riding a KTM 250 four stroke machine on October 18.

The Whatawhata resident contests the Junior 250cc class riding a 250cc KTM.

He has been riding motocross events since about age seven and says there’s nothing like the thrill of, “going fast, doing jumps and winning”.

Hall has has achieved some podium finishes racing at tracks across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

“The track at Ngutunui Rd should be pretty fun because its nice natural terrain and best of all its only about 20 minutes’ drive from home if that,” he says.

Like Kete, Hall recommends people come and enjoy watching a day of racing at Bennett’s Farm.

“I’d say people should bring a chair, set themselves up next to the track and enjoy a day of watching motocross. It gets pretty competitive as riders battle each other. The speeds some riders go is amazing, so are the jumps. It’s just an interesting sport and super fun to watch.”

School challenge promises top action

With their trophy cabinet brimming with silverware following a superb 34-17 victory in Whanganui the King Country Rams have an air of confidence ahead of their clash with Ngati Porou East Coast this weekend.

By securing a rare win in The River City, their first since 2013, King Country retained the Pinetree Log and reclaimed the Bill Osborne Taonga they had lost to Thames Valley earlier in the season.

The bonus point victory sealed fifth place in the Heartland Championship which assures The Rams the top seed in the Lochore Cup and a match against the eighth placed Coast side in Taupō.

Rams skipper and hooker Liam Rowlands has been superb all season and his leadership and general play has been inspirational for his troops while current Heartland rep Kaleb Foote, who nailed two tries against Whanganui, is thriving behind a dominant pack.

Tongariro United’s Dunster family are a huge part of the forward power while Hamilton Marist’s Eli Winders is forever prominent about the park.

Half back Kristian Gent-Standen has come of age in 2024 and is clearly enjoying his role behind a dominant pack and the backline is thriving with his decisive service.

The Rams have unearthed a real star in Player of Origin Patrick Hedley, who hails from Te Kuiti but represents the Varsity club in Hamilton and over the course of the season has produced a few match winning moments.

Josevata Malimole has resurrected his career and is a rock in midfield while Zac Wickham-Darlington has hit the form button since the birth of his second baby and is an absolute weapon out wide, scoring a great try against North Otago and another at Cooks Gardens.

Backs coach Ben Draper has an abundance of riches at his disposal and his final selections will be interesting.

Traditionally matches between Ngati Porou East Coast and King Country produce an exciting brand of rugby, and with fine weather predicted and the beautiful Owen Delany surface, Saturday’s game should fit the mould.

Rams, Coasters battle for final spot

North King Country riders were chuffed to find themselves nationally competitive at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships held at New Plymouth at the weekend.

There were 160 riders in the 9-11 age group and they were chasing one of 30 qualifying places.

North King Country Motorcycle Club riders who finished mostly in the top 10 nationally included Mason Williamson, Ōtorohanga Trail 7-9 yrs 8th place, Case Wilson, Piopio 9-11 yrs 65cc 2nd place, Flynn Neustroski, Ōtorohanga, 8-11 yrs Trail 125cc, 8th place, Heath Wilson, Piopio, 9-11 yrs 65cc 10th place, Deklan Burton, Ōtorohanga, 9-11 yrs 65cc 6th place, Evan Gray, Te Kūiti, 7-8 yrs 65cc 11th place, Reed Legg, Te Awamutu, 7-8 years 65cc 1st place, Kase Legg, Te Awamutu, 6-8 yrs mx 50cc, 12th over all.

“We weren’t thinking we would place as high as we got so we were very happy,” proud parent Kim Simpson said. “They live and breathe these bikes, they quite love them.”

There was some ugly weather off and on.

“It poured with rain for round three,” Simpson said. “Day two, round four and five the rain held off but there was still a bit of mud to push through. They did really well.”

Held at the Barrett Rd motorcycle park facility, on the outskirts of New Plymouth, the two-day event produced high calibre racing, with a large number of spectators in attendance.

Motorcycling New Zealand motocross co-commissioner Sonia Cloke was impressed with the host club’s work rate.

“The club did a fantastic job keeping up with track maintenance. They couldn’t have done better. The track gave competitors a mixed bag of conditions and the eventual champions certainly earned their titles.

“The tricky conditions really did sort them out. The brief rain we experienced really did only serve to keep the dust down.”

Bikesportnz’s Andy McGechan reported the event showed the sport was extremely healthy at this grassroots level.

“It shone the spotlight on the next Kiwi international superstars, young riders who may go on to follow in the wheel tracks of world class New Zealand riders such as Otago’s Courtney Duncan, New Plymouth brothers Darryll, Shayne and Damien King, Motueka’s Josh Coppins, Oparau's James Scott, Opotiki’s Cody Cooper and West Auckland's Hamish Harwood or Tauranga trio Ben Townley, Brodie Connolly and Josiah Natzke, for example,” he said.

Speakng at the weekend he said it was interesting to note that Harwood, Connolly and Natzke were overseas representing New Zealand at the big annual Motocross of Nations in England, “the pinnacle of senior racing at international level and often referred to as the “Olympic Games of Motocross”.

That event was won by Australia as luck deserted the Kiwi team as they finished 21st overall of the 36 nations represented and missed the cut off mark.

The trio managed third in a B-final, which was its last chance to qualify.

Riders make their national marks

At least 20 North King Country riders will compete this weekend at the mini nationals in New Plymouth.

Hosted by the Taranaki Motocross club, the event is for riders aged 4 to 11, riding bikes with engine capacities ranging from 50 to 149cc.

“Kids don’t belong to just one club, and with the great facilities North King Country offers, we have kids come from far and wide to ride our track, and so with mini nationals being a yearly event with national titles up for grabs, it’s always a huge event, wherever it’s held,” NKC secretary Kelli Wellington said.

With North King Country winning the Battle of the Clubs the last two years, club riders always did very well, coming away with a lot of national titles, Wellington said.

More than 160 entries already confirmed for the mini nationals and a crowd of more than 800 expected over the two-day event, Taranaki Motorcycle Club President, Hamish Logan, said.

“The event is shaping up to be a big one, and what a fantastic opportunity to showcase Taranaki. It sheds a positive light on mini motocross and shows what these kids can achieve at a grassroots level. The committee has put in a lot of time and we’re excited to see it come to fruition and witness what these young riders can do."

Many top-tier senior motocross riders can trace their careers back to mini motocross, with the Mini Nationals often being the start of a journey toward national and even international success.

The nationals will be at the Barrett Road Motorcycle Club on Friday and Saturday.

Mini motocrossers head south

The King Country Rams are assured of a home Lochore Cup semifinal.

And they still have an arm extended for a grab at The Meads Cup if they can beat their traditional rivals in second placed Whanganui down at the “River City” on Saturday.

Coach Aarin Dunster will travel with a squad brimming with confidence after they trampled their way to an impressive 32 – 17 victory over a gallant North Otago at Rugby Park Te Kūiti last week.

With fine weather and a magnificently presented playing strip on show both teams showed great skill and commitment turning on a thrilling encounter where the result was in doubt until the last 10 minutes.

From the start of the match King Country attacked and after just two minutes sharpshooter Patrick Hedley slotted a penalty goal which brought up the rare feat of over 100 Heartland points for the season.

The lead was short lived however as North Otago secured a converted try before wing Zac Wickham-Darlington joined a rolling maul and smashed across for a try to put The Rams in front 8–7.

Again North Otago did all the attacking and a second converted try and a penalty goal saw the visitors turn from the break ahead 17 – 8 with the wind at their backs.

Immediately after half time a Hedley penalty narrowed the gap to six and the game descended into a real arm wrestle as the gravity of the situation seemed to stilt the flare of both teams.

The Rams endured 10 minutes with a man in the bin but refused to crack before a sickening late hit saw first five Keiran Rollison stretchered from the field in the 28th minute of the half.

From there The Rams lifted a gear and with 10 to go young Hedley swooped on a loose ball in his own half and set sail in front of a roaring grandstand showing great pace to dot down in the corner and in his usual steely fashion slotted the side line conversion.

With their tails up King Country again attacked and Wickham-Darlington showed great pace and determination brushing tacklers aside in an irrepressible 40 metre dash to score under the posts before replacement prop Tom Ryan put the icing on the cake with another try.

Hedley slotted both the conversions for a personal 17-point haul which puts him into the record books as King Countries highest ever scorer and sees him out in front of the Heartland table for 2024.

By securing a 5-point bonus point victory The Rams are assured of a fifth-place finish and a home Lochore Cup semi as sixth placed West Coast cannot pass them and while they will be dependent on other results can still finish fourth with a bonus point victory over Whanganui.

With players available this week following injury breaks there will be some selection dilemmas of a positive sort for the coaches and some anticipation for the fans.

Hedley stars for the Rams

Long time Otorohanga Football Club member Ram Chetty has been made a life member of the club.

Chetty, in his 30th year of coaching sport in the King Country after coming to Ōtorohanga in 1995, received the award at the club’s prizegiving ceremony at the end of last month.

He initially taught and coached at Ōtorohanga College for a number of years, along with coaching the football club’s A Team and was coach when Ōtorohanga made it into the last 32 stage of the Chatham Cup in 1998.

Club spokesperson Cheyne Waldron recalled “when I went to Ōtorohanga College (1989 to 1992) there wasn’t a soccer team. Ram turned that around and football is now very popular. We owe a lot of that to Ram’s efforts and enthusiasm.”

Chetty has Oceania coaching qualifications and a FIFA refereeing badge and was named Ōtorohanga District Council ‘Sporting Personality of the Year’ in 2016.

The following year he became a Justice of the Peace.

He has been a coach and mentor for a large number of students, particularly at Ōtorohanga College and now at Te Kuiti High School where he now teaches.

“Much of the success that Ōtorohanga Football Club has had in recent times comes down to the number of young players that have come into the club and so much of that comes down to Ram’s coaching at secondary school level where there has been a huge resurgence in football’s popularity over the past 30 years,” a statement from the club read.

This season was a highly successful one – the club’s flagship side, Bulk Lines Otorohanga, won the Waikato BOP League 1 Championship. Other highlights of the season included winning the Bailey Meizenbeek Challenge Shield in their annual encounters against Te Awamutu and Jamie Walker bringing up 200 matches for the club.

At the prizegiving he was named A team Players’ Player of the Year while Jackson Allen was named Player of the Year in his first year at the club.

Tawhiri Ball was winner of Golden Boot and with 29 goals, top scorer in the league. Best Team Member award went to Grayson Fortis who also picked up the club’s Personality of the Year award. Club Member of the Year was awarded to Raj Naidu.

Ōtorohanga’s two reserve teams also had successful years with the club fielding a record number of players. Alex Liddington and Andrew Payne were awarded Player of the Year for the two reserve teams.

The club’s 7-a-side football starts next Thursday.

Life membership for soccer stalwart

Eltje Malzbender crowned an outstanding overall performance at the Zurich 2024 Para-Cycling Road World Championships by taking her second bronze medal of the week with a podium finish in the women’s T1 road race.

Competing over a total distance of 31.8km in tricky windy conditions which tested the bike control of the Cambridge-based tricyclist, Malzbender rode third from the outset and survived a mid-race crash to retain her position throughout the race.

In the incident, a male para cyclist competing in the T1 classification rammed into the Kiwi’s front wheel at the bottom of the hill and he fell off his bike. Malzbender thankfully remained upright on the trike.

In a repeat of the same podium finishing order from the women’s T1 individual time trial earlier in the week - gold was clinched by Marieke Van Soest of the Netherlands with Pavlina Vejvodova of Czechia in silver. A delighted Malzbender, a world champion in this event back in 2019, claimed another podium.

Malzbender, 62, said the campaign had its positives.

"Two bronze medals, a personal best for average speed in the time trial and no excessive ataxia in either event.

“I’m grateful to the support of my team - John Blake and my coach Vicki Fleming. Both have ensured the event has run as smoothly as possible.”


Bronze for Eltje

Paralympian Eltje Malzbender produced one of her finest rides to win bronze in the Women’s T1 Individual Time Trial at the Zurich 2024 Para-Cycling Road World Championships this week.

Malzbender lives with a traumatic brain injury following a crash during a training ride in 2016 when she was left on the rural roadside at Marokopa. At the time she was a physiotherapist in Te Kūiti.

After spending over a year in rehab she moved to Cambridge, where the flat terrain, wide footpaths and a residence close to town provided the ideal place to begin rebuilding her life.

She was introduced to riding a tricycle at the Cambridge velodrome and was selected on the Pathway to Podium programme with Paralympics New Zealand in 2018.

She represented New Zealand at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and was fifth in the women’s T1-2 individual time trial.

Riding in temperatures of around 17 degrees Celsius this week, 62-year-old tricyclist completed the 11.3km route in 24m 8.5s – at an average speed of just over 28.kmh

Malzbender, who claimed a silver medal in this event at the 2023 edition, was elated with her performance.



Two bronzes for Eltje

It was a family affair at the Waitomo Golf Club as a couple and their son won championship finals last weekend.
Richard Koroheke, Brooke Walters and Kase Koroheke, 17, all topped their divisions.
Kase – who is on a 13 handicap – has played golf for just a year and won the junior title. Dad Richard swung in with the intermediate honours – and Brooke took out senior women’s title.
Stu Baird won the senior men’s category. He and Brooke were Waitomo’s top junior players in their teen years, and he has returned to the Waitomo club as greenkeeper, at the club where he learned to play.
Kase is not alone as a talented golfing youngster at the club, which has seen a resurgence thanks to the work of Jaz Stafford who has been coaching and supporting our juniors, Brooke’s mum and Women’s Club Captain Heather Gifkins said.It was a family affair at the Waitomo Golf Club as a couple and their son won championship finals last weekend.

Richard Koroheke, Brooke Walters and Kase Koroheke, 17, all topped their divisions.

Kase – who is on a 13 handicap – has played golf for just a year and won the junior title. Dad Richard swung in with the intermediate honours – and Brooke took out senior women’s title.

Stu Baird won the senior men’s category. He and Brooke were Waitomo’s top junior players in their teen years, and he has returned to the Waitomo club as greenkeeper, at the club where he learned to play.

Kase is not alone as a talented golfing youngster at the club, which has seen a resurgence thanks to the work of Jaz Stafford who has been coaching and supporting our juniors, Brooke’s mum and Women’s Club Captain Heather Gifkins said.

All in the family

Piopio’s under-15 rugby side has won the Waikato Premiership Under-15 competition – and it’s thought to be the first time in the 10-year-history of the Andrew Strawbridge trophy that it has gone out of the Hamilton area.
Coach Stacey James said the final game against Hamilton’s Fraser High was a standout as his side came back from 14-10 down to win 32-14.
Six members of the team had previously made it into the King Country Under 14s side, while three had made it this year into the Under 16s.
“There definitely is some talent coming through this year. If they choose to stay with rugby, I could see that a couple of them could go a long way,” James said. “I asked them at the start of the season what they wanted to accomplish. They all said they wanted to have fun and win – so we set out our training schedule and they all committed to it.”
James, assisted by, Carlos Karaitiana, arrived during the season after being injured, is a former Piopio College player who later played as a senior for Bush United.
“I may be biased but I think there is huge benefit to a boy’s character development from having some success in rugby at a young age. It builds that belief in what you can achieve as a member of a team and supplies good memories to take with you into the rest of your life.”

James boys take the title

An outstanding performance where a makeshift backline clicked into gear saw King Country run away with an impressive 43–17 victory over West Coast and move into a very secure Lochore Cup Heartland position.
In scoring five of the sides six tries the backs demonstrated rare cohesion on what turned out to be a hard and fast Owen Delany number one field and on the back of a dominant scrum the result was never in doubt.
With skipper Liam Rowlands leading from the front and a dominant scrummaging unit where Ōtorohanga›s Sione Paulo added grunt, the makeshift backline thrived and ran in some outstanding tries.
The crowd had barely taken their seats when from the kick off The Rams secured the ball and big centre Josevata Malimole smashed through the Coast midfield and sprinted away dotting down under the bar.
There was no time to relax as once again The Rams secured kick off possession and as play swept across the field a deft chip kick from Patrick Hedley was gathered in by fullback Cody Nordstrom who scooted down the embankment touchline out pacing the cover and crossing in the corner. Young Hedley nailed a superb side line conversion to extend the lead to 14.
The Coast replied with a try to winger Parker after their big pack spent a period hammering away inside the 22 but the comeback was short lived.
Impressive halfback Kristian Gent-Standen, enjoying his best game in Rams colours, crossed for a try in the 27th minute and soon after Hedley secured the bonus point showing extreme pace as he out stripped the defence for a great try.
The Coast pack rumbled across for a late try before the break but King Country led 26–10 in complete control.
The dominance continued into the second spell and with Standen scoring a second try and Rowlands powering across from a seemingly impossible position the match was beyond reach for the visitors who did narrow the gap with a converted try.
Finally winger Latrell Smiler-Ah Kong put the icing on the cake finishing off one last backline move with a try in the corner and the final 43–17 scoreline.
With many regular players unavailable for this game coach Aarin Dunster had a broad smile on his face after the game as the had team performed so well.
Te Awamutu’s Nordstrom was outstanding at full back, seemingly enjoying the freedom, and didn’t put a foot wrong whether counter attacking or as a last line of defence.
Hedley mover to the wing and was another with a starring role and is fast developing a reputation as a goal kicking sharp shooter, he looks destined to make the Heartland 15.
Malimole impressed in an 80-minute performance while veteran John Koko, who answered an SOS call in his first Rams game for seven years, solidified the mid field.
The Rams now travel to Poverty Bay this weekend seemingly secure in seventh place and looking to nail a home semifinal to reward their fans.

Rams take the spoils

There were some mixed results for King Country Rugby Teams over the weekend with the brightest spot being reserved for the Women’s Trailblazers team who travelled all the way to Masterton and defeated Wairarapa Bush 36–21.
After missing a place in the Heartland championship final by just one point this match was effectively the playoff for third, so represents a great result for the women as they continue to grow the game in the region.
For the record the Heartland final was taken out by Whanganui who defeated Thames Valley by 32–27 in an 11-try thriller providing a fitting climax to a hard-fought competition.
Closer to home The King Country Bighorns popped across to Putaruru to play the Waikato Divisional 15 seeking to notch up their first victory of the season and although suffering a narrow loss would have been happy with an improved performance.
Powerful number 8 Dion Peterson franked a fine game scoring the sides only try which came on the back of a powerful forward drive.
Out the back fullback Phayzen Marshall had an impressive outing and is going from strength to strength while Isaac Wana, in a King Country debut, added impact off the bench as did Athol Snedden at half back.
Down in the South Island the King Country Rams were in Geraldine where they played the powerful South Canterbury side who are leading the competition and although details are sketchy must have put up a solid performance.
At 33–19 the scoreline suggests the game was more of a contest than many expected and although dropping to eighth on the competition ladder, the Rams can still lock in a Lochore Cup semifinal.
The King Country Under 18 boys enjoyed an epic trip away to Cape Kidnappers to play Ngati Porou East Coast and although beaten on the field gained a lot of admirers in a 22-10 scoreline.
The side featured a heap of local talent including Brooky Pye, Nikora Mathieson, Ivan Reid, Riddick Rangitonga, Webcke Koroheke-Clune, Takerei Bidois, Jack Hira-Hill, Santana Howell, Mitchell Hedley and Wiremu Harris.
Te Kuiti High School Principal Gareth Williams passes on his extensive rugby knowledge as part of the coaching team.
The King Country Under 16 boys played over the weekend in a tournament in Turangi and enjoyed an early victory over Eastern Bay of Plenty before narrow losses to Whanganui and eventual tournament winners Thames Valley.
And finally, The King Country Secondary School Girls continued their development losing to a very slick Bay of Plenty Under 16 girls team 49-19.
Hamilton Rugby Union continued their recent dominance of The Peace Cup competition but were made to work hard for a 23–10 victory.
The Central Bay of Plenty side put up a grand performance but fell just short in a tense and closely fought match.
The local Maniapoto Marauders can take great heart from this result having missed the final by one conversion, having drawn with Central.

Trailblazers enjoy fine finish

Roy Pilott

They are WaiBop League One football champions – but they can’t get promoted.

Bulk Lines Ōtorohanga wrapped up the title with a resounding 3-0 home win over Northern United from Hamilton on Saturday knowing rules about club depth would tie them down.

Ōtorohanga, whose most famous player, former Australian international Archie Thompson turns 46 next month, doesn’t have the depth to field an Under-23 team, and that is a condition of playing in the Southern Conference League.

Ironically, the team at the bottom of the conference is neighbour Te Awamutu, whose struggles are a mirror image of Ōtorohanga’s fortunes in this campaign.

The Ōtorohanga Domain club won the title with 17 wins from 18 outings – but Northern would have been celebrating promotion had they managed a draw on Saturday.

Te Awamutu has battled gamely throughout the season but finished the 21-game campaign 15 points behind the field with points from four draws.

The latest was a surprise 3-3 draw with Claudelands which allowed Taupō to ensure it would finish second on goal difference barring a monumental thumping at home to Papamoa next weekend.

Two late goals at Te Awamutu denied the hosts their first win of the season – an early one at the domain set Ōtorohanga on its way to victory.

When news of the goal filtered through to the Wanderers ground in Hamilton, it didn’t take much guessing to pick who had scored it.

Tawhirimata -Tawhiri - Ball has scored goals for fun when ever he has been on the park this season – and is clearly a level above the competition.

The goal was set up by up by his brother Waikato Ball and he held off defenders in the penalty area to score from close range.

It was the only goal of an even half where both teams could have added to the goal tally on a challenging park where conditions were heavy underfoot.

Northern had dominated the first 15 minutes, getting behind the Otorohanga defence, but found centre backs Jackson Allen and Jacob O’Brien in top form.

The visitors were also caught in the second half after a period of midfield dominance as Bailey Croad found space on the left, beat the defence and goalkeeper and slotted home from a narrow angle with just over 25 minutes to play.

When Waikato Ball’s outstanding header from a Croad corner found the net five minutes later the healthy home crowd were watching their side put the finishing touches on a successful league campaign.

The game was preceded by two minutes’ silence Kīngi Tuheitia’s passing – the Ōtorohanga team has seven players of Māori descent.

Earlier in the curtain raiser played at Ōtorohanga College, the Ōtorohanga Reserves lost 3-0 to Ngaruawahia.

The club now turns its attention to its Summer Soccer Competition starting next month.They are WaiBop League One football champions – but they can’t get promoted.

Buk Lines Ōtorohanga wrapped up the title with a resounding 3-0 home win over Northern United from Hamilton on Saturday knowing rules about club depth would tie them down.

Ōtorohanga, whose most famous player, former Australian international Archie Thompson turns 46 next month, doesn’t have the depth to field an Under-23 team, and that is a condition of playing in the Southern Conference League.

Ironically, the team at the bottom of the conference is neighbour Te Awamutu, whose struggles are a mirror image of Ōtorohanga’s fortunes in this campaign.

The Ōtorohanga Domain club won the title with 17 wins from 18 outings – but Northern would have been celebrating promotion had they managed a draw on Saturday.

Te Awamutu has battled gamely throughout the season but finished the 21-game campaign 15 points behind the field with points from four draws.

The latest was a surprise 3-3 draw with Claudelands which allowed Taupō to ensure it would finish second on goal difference barring a monumental thumping at home to Papamoa next weekend.

Two late goals at Te Awamutu denied the hosts their first win of the season – an early one at the domain set Ōtorohanga on its way to victory.

When news of the goal filtered through to the Wanderers ground in Hamilton, it didn’t take much guessing to pick who had scored it.

Tawhirimata -Tawhiri -  Ball has scored goals for fun when ever he has been on the park this season – and is clearly a level above the competition.

The goal was set up by up by his brother Waikato Ball and he held off defenders in the penalty area to score from close range.

It was the only goal of an even half where both teams could have added to the goal tally on a challenging park where conditions were heavy underfoot.

Northern had dominated the first 15 minutes, getting behind the Otorohanga defence, but found centre backs Jackson Allen and Jacob O’Brien in top form.

The visitors were also caught in the second half after a period of midfield dominance as Bailey Croad found space on the left, beat the defence and goalkeeper and slotted home from a narrow angle with just over 25 minutes to play.

When Waikato Ball’s outstanding header from a Croad corner found the net five minutes later the healthy home crowd were watching their side put the finishing touches on a successful league campaign.

The game was preceded by two minutes’ silence Kīngi Tuheitia’s passing – the Ōtorohanga team has seven players of Māori descent. 

Earlier in the curtain raiser played at Ōtorohanga College, the Ōtorohanga Reserves lost 3-0 to Ngaruawahia.

The club now turns its attention to its Summer Soccer Competition starting next month.

Champions - but stuck in league

Football’s top WaiBop league and the Southern Conference could get a summer shake up.
Ōtorohanga can’t be promoted while it doesn’t have an Under-23 team, and it would be surprising if an exception was made for the Southern Conference when clubs in the Northern Conference must abide by the regulations.
But at least one club Ōtorohanga pipped to the Waikato title could still go up if the cards fall a certain way.
Southern Conference champions Cambridge face a home and away clash with Northern Conference winners Waitemata or Waiheke United for a place in the second tier of the Northern league – and success for the Waipā club would open a conference space which Northern United would want.
It would also see Cambridge, Melville, Wanderers and Ngāruawāhia in the same Northern League division.
Matamata, who finished third in WaiBop League One, are also thought to have ambitions of playing at a higher level.
Te Awamutu was one of several WaiBop clubs promoted to the Southern Conference for 2023, but while the club has excelled in bringing juniors into the game it has found it difficult to match opponents at conference level.
If the Reds don’t keep their conference place on the back of this season’s struggles, Matamata might be keen to replace them.
Football authorities are likely to want to get decisions made early. Last year the Northern Conference was started a second time after the belated promotion of Central following a ruling by the Sport Tribunal of New Zealand in March.Football’s top WaiBop league and the Southern Conference could get a summer shake up.

Ōtorohanga can’t be promoted while it doesn’t have an Under-23 team, and it would be surprising if an exception was made for the Southern Conference when clubs in the Northern Conference must abide by the regulations.

But at least one club Ōtorohanga pipped to the Waikato title could still go up if the cards fall a certain way.

Southern Conference champions Cambridge face a home and away clash with Northern Conference winners Waitemata or Waiheke United for a place in the second tier of the Northern league – and success for the Waipā club would open a conference space which Northern United would want.

It would also see Cambridge, Melville, Wanderers and Ngāruawāhia in the same Northern League division.

Matamata, who finished third in WaiBop League One, are also thought to have ambitions of playing at a higher level.

Te Awamutu was one of several WaiBop clubs promoted to the Southern Conference for 2023, but while the club has excelled in bringing juniors into the game it has found it difficult to match opponents at conference level.

If the Reds don’t keep their conference place on the back of this season’s struggles, Matamata might be keen to replace them.

Football authorities are likely to want to get decisions made early. Last year the Northern Conference was started a second time after the belated promotion of Central following a ruling by the Sport Tribunal of New Zealand in March.

Changes ahead

Thames Valley came down the highway to Te Kūiti on Saturday for their match against the King Country Rams and left with an unblemished Heartland Championship record courtesy of a dominant victory.
It was an historic occasion as the local ground hosted the first ever first-class match under the recently installed floodlights which saw a large crowd create a great atmosphere especially from the packed-out grandstand.
It was also King Country’s first defence of The Bill Osborne Trophy dubbed The Heartland Ranfurly Shield.
With intermittent rain and a slushy field this was a great example of old-fashioned wet weather rugby and as can be expected forward dominance proved to be the catalyst for overall success.
The Valley Swamp Foxes appeared to relish conditions and began the match in a positive fashion and applied all the early pressure, but it was the home side who posted first points and led 6–0 after 20 minutes.
Fullback Patrick Hedley, who enjoyed a wonderful 100 percent kicking record, slotted two excellent penalty goals as The Rams enjoyed brief appearances in The Valley half.
In the 28th minute former King Country player Alex Thrupp scored arguably the try of the match when he latched onto a loose ball in his own half and showed tremendous pace to race away down the embankment touchline to score.
Hedley soon slotted a third penalty to put the Rams back in front 9 – 5 but The Valley pack was looking ominously dominant by now and it was no surprise when their skipper Matt Axten crashed over under the bar gifting Fletcher Morgan an easy conversion.
Up by 12–9 Valley, began the second half as they finished the first and Morgan extended the lead with a penalty before Hedley slotted two more of his own and with 20 minutes to go the scores were locked at 15–15.
From here The Swamp Foxes forward pack took complete control, winning crucial scrums and lineouts and, as The Rams discipline slipped, gained good field position from penalties and it was no surprise when the powerful Laulea Mau crossed for a well worked try.
Replacement Quinn Collard then put the issue beyond doubt with a long-range penalty kick before Hedley earned his team a bonus point with a penalty goal with time up on the clock.
In a beaten pack Rams prop Toby Tukaki enjoyed a fine game and featured in broken play while number eight Caleb Foote was as usual in the thick of everything.
Zac Wickham-Darlington and Baven Brown Jnr, although receiving limited attacking opportunities, both looked sharp and went looking for work, the former’s battle with the speedy Thrupp was memorable.
Fullback Hedley was the star Rams player who complimented his goal kicking excellence with sound defence and an eye for counter attacking opportunities when they presented and was my MVP from either side.
Earlier in the day Thames Valley emerging players proved too strong for the Bighorns 37 – 19 and both the Under 16 and Under 18’s won their respective encounters.
The Valley men returned home with all the silverware and an unbeaten record in Heartland Rugby while The Rams slipped from four to seventh on the table and face a daunting task travelling to the South Island this week to play the champion South Canterbury on their home patch.
• King Country product Josh Balme, who plays for Hamilton Marist, made his Waikato debut in the 39-21 NPC win over Auckland last Saturday.Thames Valley came down the highway to Te Kūiti on Saturday for their match against the King Country Rams and left with an unblemished Heartland Championship record courtesy of a dominant victory.

It was an historic occasion as the local ground hosted the first ever first-class match under the recently installed floodlights which saw a large crowd create a great atmosphere especially from the packed-out grandstand.

It was also King Country’s first defence of The Bill Osborne Trophy dubbed The Heartland Ranfurly Shield.

With intermittent rain and a slushy field this was a great example of old-fashioned wet weather rugby and as can be expected forward dominance proved to be the catalyst for overall success.

The Valley Swamp Foxes appeared to relish conditions and began the match in a positive fashion and applied all the early pressure, but it was the home side who posted first points and led 6–0 after 20 minutes.

Fullback Patrick Hedley, who enjoyed a wonderful 100 percent kicking record, slotted two excellent penalty goals as The Rams enjoyed brief appearances in The Valley half.

In the 28th minute former King Country player Alex Thrupp scored arguably the try of the match when he latched onto a loose ball in his own half and showed tremendous pace to race away down the embankment touchline to score.

Hedley soon slotted a third penalty to put the Rams back in front 9 – 5 but The Valley pack was looking ominously dominant by now and it was no surprise when their skipper Matt Axten crashed over under the bar gifting Fletcher Morgan an easy conversion.

Up by 12–9 Valley, began the second half as they finished the first and Morgan extended the lead with a penalty before Hedley slotted two more of his own and with 20 minutes to go the scores were locked at 15–15.

From here The Swamp Foxes forward pack took complete control, winning crucial scrums and lineouts and, as The Rams discipline slipped, gained good field position from penalties and it was no surprise when the powerful Laulea Mau crossed for a well worked try.

Replacement Quinn Collard then put the issue beyond doubt with a long-range penalty kick before Hedley earned his team a bonus point with a penalty goal with time up on the clock.

In a beaten pack Rams prop Toby Tukaki enjoyed a fine game and featured in broken play while number eight Caleb Foote was as usual in the thick of everything.

Zac Wickham-Darlington and Baven Brown Jnr, although receiving limited attacking opportunities, both looked sharp and went looking for work, the former’s battle with the speedy Thrupp was memorable.

Fullback Hedley was the star Rams player who complimented his goal kicking excellence with sound defence and an eye for counter attacking opportunities when they presented and was my MVP from either side.

Earlier in the day Thames Valley emerging players proved too strong for the Bighorns 37 – 19 and both the Under 16 and Under 18’s won their respective encounters.

The Valley men returned home with all the silverware and an unbeaten record in Heartland Rugby while The Rams slipped from four to seventh on the table and face a daunting task travelling to the South Island this week to play the champion South Canterbury on their home patch.

• King Country product Josh Balme, who plays for Hamilton Marist, made his Waikato debut in the 39-21 NPC win over Auckland last Saturday.

Valley enjoy spoils in Te Kūiti

Sigrid Christiansen

Ōtorohanga netball centre is celebrating the sport’s centenary in New Zealand with a party in October.
It’s 100 years since the sport of basketball evolved into netball – and took off in its own right as much-loved sport.
The netball centre’s Dot Carr, daughter of the grand dame and patron of netball in Ōtorohanga, Marjorie Carr, said it was a “community celebration and an anniversary” rather than a reunion as such.
The semi-formal function will have games, activities, displays of photos and memorabilia through the years.
“We want to get people talking.”
“We’re hoping to see people who have left the community as well as people and families who are currently here,” she said, adding that whenever Ōtorohanga players went to tournaments around New Zealand, they often met people who spoke fondly of their memories of playing netball in the community.
Over the years, the centre played host to many memorable netball moments – like games for married versus single players.
These days, the sport was still evolving: “over time, there’s more on offer,” Dot said.
Most recently, a challenge was to welcome men and boys into the mixed competition, while still holding space for women and girls who preferred to play only against their own sex.
Meanwhile, many of this area’s rangatahi are representing the community in the sport at a high level this week.
Teams from Te Wharekura o Maniapoto in Oparure and Ōtorohanga College left together for this year’s national schools netball tournament in Waitakere, Auckland, which runs until Friday.Ōtorohanga netball centre is celebrating the sport’s centenary in New Zealand with a party in October.

It’s 100 years since the sport of basketball evolved into netball – and took off in its own right as much-loved sport.

The netball centre’s Dot Carr, daughter of the grand dame and patron of netball in Ōtorohanga, Marjorie Carr, said it was a “community celebration and an anniversary” rather than a reunion as such.

The semi-formal function will have games, activities, displays of photos and memorabilia through the years.

“We want to get people talking.”

“We’re hoping to see people who have left the community as well as people and families who are currently here,” she said, adding that whenever Ōtorohanga players went to tournaments around New Zealand, they often met people who spoke fondly of their memories of playing netball in the community.

Over the years, the centre played host to many memorable netball moments – like games for married versus single players.

These days, the sport was still evolving: “over time, there’s more on offer,” Dot said.

Most recently, a challenge was to welcome men and boys into the mixed competition, while still holding space for women and girls who preferred to play only against their own sex.

Meanwhile, many of this area’s rangatahi are representing the community in the sport at a high level this week.

Teams from Te Wharekura o Maniapoto in Oparure and Ōtorohanga College left together for this year’s national schools netball tournament in Waitakere, Auckland, which runs until Friday.

Hundred up for netball

Sixth in the world – that’s the result for the crew featuring King Country pair Mia Wehi and Kōtuku Waho, raced at the waka ama world sprint championships in Hawaii this week.

They represented the Waikato Dragon Boat and Waka Ama Association, who train in Kirikiriroa and Raglan.

The teens, from Te Kūiti and Ōtorohanga respectively, paddled as part of the V6 waka ama crew which finished sixth over 500 metres in their category on Sunday at the waka ama world sprint championships at Hilo, Hawaii.

Hawiian six 0

The Te Kūiti bowls team of Peter Lange, Kevin Higgins and Steve Woods took the honours in Kihikihi’s last winter tournament.

It was a wonderful conclusion to what has been a very successful and well run winter programme for the relatively small club. The tournament was played in fine weather and drew a strong field of bowlers from throughout the Waikato and the King Country.

Te Kūiti’s victory was achieved with four wins, 23 ends and 50 points. They were closely followed by the Beerescourt team of Wayne Wenham, Barry Chapman and Robin Sarbutt with four wins, 23 ends and 49 points.

Third place went to the Te Awamutu Team of Terry Osment, Lynda Bennett and Chris Osment with four wins, 19 ends and 40 points.

In fourth place, the best of the three winners, were the Kihikihi team of Ken Hancock, Janice Johnson and George de Bruyn.

A win at Kihikihi

Sub Union rugby is alive and kicking locally judging by the outstanding game on display at Te Kūiti High School last Saturday between The Maniapoto Marauders and Central Bay of Plenty from Rotorua.

When the two sides put away their kicking boots and chose to give the ball some attacking air the sizeable crowd at the match were swept up into the style of entertaining rugby action. creating a buoyant atmosphere.

With the ground in superb condition and a tricky breeze swirling around the field the local side began the game in attacking mode.

The first 12 minutes belonged to their first five Delane Bell whose deceptive running saw Alex Pitts-Brown and Gabriell Simpson score tries with Ben Hedley slotting a conversion for a 12–0 lead.

The visitors gradually recovered from the shell shock and the game settled into a pattern where defence dominated and some huge hits ensued where Jaide Barlow, Isaac Wana and Kees Muller stood tall in the loose while John Siaosi, Dave Woolston and Zyla Hatu-Pratt pummelled their larger opposition.

Inevitably after soaking up all the pressure the defence cracked and two late tries saw the sides enter half time locked at 12–12.

The Maniapoto side came out of the blocks in the second half like men possessed and big prop Siaosi surged in an irrepressible charge crossing for a try.

The team surged back onto attack and the diminutive Simpson latched onto a wayward pass and showing extreme pace outstripped several defenders in a 40-metre dash to the corner and the locals had a 22–12 lead.

Central Bay then reverted to their strength and utilised their big forward pack and began to dominate field position slowly whittling away the lead and hitting the front for the first time with five minutes to go 27-22.

At times in a rugby match a star is born and youngster Simpson, still eligible for Under 19’s, set the day alight when put into a gap by a Sam Trangmar pass deep in his own 22 and clapped on the after burners before sprinting about 90 metres for a magnificent touch down.

Waikato referee Grant Cotteral, who did a great job and allowed play to flow, blew the final whistle and brought the curtain down with both sides happy.

Scoring five tries each was testament to the style of entertaining rugby and the drawn scoreline was enough to see the CBOP side advance to the Peace Cup final next week.

King Country Rams went on the rampage in Westport on Saturday and made a real statement in The Heartland Championship with a 54-27 victory on the road.

The news was not so good for the Bighorns or Trailblazers who suffered big losses to Whanganui sides respectively.

With their season back on track there will be much anticipation around The Rams game here in Te Kūiti on Saturday against old foes and currently undefeated Thames Valley.

The match has a late kick off and will be a first as the game will be played under the recently installed new lights.

Ten try romp at high school

The King Country Rams return to Te Kūiti on Saturday for a “derby” clash with the unbeaten Thames Valley Swamp Foxes – while further north Ōtorohanga hosts a football title decider.


Football comes first – as Hamilton’s Northern United takes on Ōtorohanga at 3pm in a match which will determine the WaiBop League One title.


Then, to cap off a day of rugby at Te Kūiti’s Rugby Park, the Rams aim to follow up last week’s win in Buller in a match starting at 5.30pm.


Northern lead the WaiBop football competition by a point - so it will be win or bust for the free scoring hosts at Ōtorohanga Domain.


The clash was postponed from earlier in the season because of Covid, and is now in essence a grand final, club spokesperson Cheyne Waldron said.


It is win or bust for the hosts.


Bulk Lines Limited Ōtorohanga rebuilt their squad during the year, welcoming twins Jackson and Logan Allen from rivals Tokoroa while Aaron Smith stepped up to take over the vacant goalkeeping role.
The team has some prolific scorers - brothers Waikato and Tawhiri Ball and Mason Apperley are among the leading scorers in the league and the team has netted 82 times in 17 outings – easily the best return in the competition.
Saturday’s squad for the home clash at Ōtorohanga is Aaron Smith, Jackson Allen, Grayson Fortis, Mason Apperley, Michael Jones, Tawhiri Ball, Stephen Kapa, Bailey Croad, Jamie Walker, Tom Barton, Waikato Ball, Jacob O’Brien, Logan Allen and Noah Brownlie.The King Country Rams return to Te Kūiti on Saturday for a “derby” clash with the unbeaten Thames Valley Swamp Foxes – while further north Ōtorohanga hosts a football title decider.

Football comes first – as Hamilton’s Northern United takes on Ōtorohanga at 3pm in a match which will determine the WaiBop League One title.

Then, to cap off a day of rugby at Te Kūiti’s Rugby Park, the Rams aim to follow up last week’s win in Buller in a match starting at 5.30pm.

Check out rugby scribe Norris Woodbine’s new weekly column on Page 7 today.

Northern lead the WaiBop football competition by a point - so it will be win or bust for the free scoring hosts at Ōtorohanga Domain.

The clash was postponed from earlier in the season because of Covid, and is now in essence a grand final, club spokesperson Cheyne Waldron said.

It is win or bust for the hosts.

Bulk Lines Limited Ōtorohanga rebuilt their squad during the year, welcoming twins Jackson and Logan Allen from rivals Tokoroa while Aaron Smith stepped up to take over the vacant goalkeeping role.

The team has some prolific scorers - brothers Waikato and Tawhiri Ball and Mason Apperley are among the leading scorers in the league and the team has netted 82 times in 17 outings – easily the best return in the competition.

Saturday’s squad for the home clash at Ōtorohanga is Aaron Smith, Jackson Allen, Grayson Fortis, Mason Apperley, Michael Jones, Tawhiri Ball, Stephen Kapa, Bailey Croad, Jamie Walker, Tom Barton, Waikato Ball, Jacob O’Brien, Logan Allen and Noah Brownlie.

Rugby, football take centre stage

Five Te Kūiti High School students celebrated success at the Kī-o-rahi nationals in Huntly last weekend.

Kī-o-rahi is a fast-paced Māori sport played with a small round ball called a kī on a circular field, with eight players in opposing teams. The two teams are known as Kīoma and Taniwha. Taniwha must stop Kīoma from scoring by ripping tags worn around the waists of the other team’s players. Both teams can score points by different means.

The national tournament featured eight teams and four Te Kūiti students were in the two which made the final – pitting school mates against each other.

Mitchell Hedley and Cheyla Heta-Cloke played in the top-ranking team New Zealand Secondary Schools while Karen Hodgson and Chance Taylor featured in an invitational team which finished second.

Riddick Rangitonga played for the Aotearoa Māori side, which finished fifth, having won the tournament in 2023. The team was coached by Nano Te Whare and assistant manager was Te Oranga Anderson. Both are Te Kūiti High School staff. Te Whare’s children also did well in the tournament. Libby Kearins Te Whare was named most valuable player, and her brother Koewyn was part of the top team.

Teams were formed specifically for the tournament, so players had to connect in only a few hours, Te Whare said. Each team was billeted at a different marae.

Next up for Te Kūiti High School is the junior regionals in the South Waikato followed by junior nationals in Taupō.Five Te Kūiti High School students celebrated success at the Kī-o-rahi nationals in Huntly last weekend.
Kī-o-rahi is a fast-paced Māori sport played with a small round ball called a kī on a circular field, with eight players in opposing teams. The two teams are known as Kīoma and Taniwha. Taniwha must stop Kīoma from scoring by ripping tags worn around the waists of the other team’s players. Both teams can score points by different means.
The national tournament featured eight teams and four Te Kūiti students were in the two which made the final – pitting school mates against each other.
Mitchell Hedley and Cheyla Heta-Cloke played in the top-ranking team New Zealand Secondary Schools while Karen Hodgson and Chance Taylor featured in an invitational team which finished second.
Riddick Rangitonga played for the Aotearoa Māori side, which finished fifth, having won the tournament in 2023. The team was coached by Nano Te Whare and assistant manager was Te Oranga Anderson. Both are Te Kūiti High School staff. Te Whare’s children also did well in the tournament. Libby Kearins Te Whare was named most valuable player, and her brother Koewyn was part of the top team.
Teams were formed specifically for the tournament, so players had to connect in only a few hours, Te Whare said. Each team was billeted at a different marae.
Next up for Te Kūiti High School is the junior regionals in the South Waikato followed by junior nationals in Taupō.

High fives at Kī -o-rahi

The final tournament of the winter season for the Te Kūiti Bowling Club provided the club an opportunity to acknowledge the work of its greenkeeper.
“Mark Tulip’s efforts over the last three seasons in bringing these greens up to such a high standard and enabling them to be played on during the winter months is quite exceptional,” bowling scribe Clark Ambury said.
The retiring greenkeeper’s efforts had received praise from some of the very best bowlers in the Waikato Centre area, he said.
The tournament was the culmination of two successful winter programmes completed on the traditional grass green. Te Kūiti was the only club to play on grass during winter – other clubs in the Waikato Centre play on artificial “carpet greens”.
Fourteen teams representing nine clubs took part – there were two four winners and two three winners, one of which missed out on the prizes.
Taking first place was the Frankton Junction team of Steve Liddington (skip), Dean Te Mono and Eddie Knox who headed off the Putāruru side of Noel Sutton (skip), Chen Naude and Graham Hoole by three ends and three extra points. A Te Kūiti trio of Geoff Mc Manus (skip), Jeff Heke and his grandson Bradleigh - playing in a tournament for the first time, took third prize, heading of an Ōtorohanga team skipped by Allan Johnston.
The new season for the club will start on September 7.The final tournament of the winter season for the Te Kūiti Bowling Club provided the club an opportunity to acknowledge the work of its greenkeeper.

“Mark Tulip’s efforts over the last three seasons in bringing these greens up to such a high standard and enabling them to be played on during the winter months is quite exceptional,” bowling scribe Clark Ambury said.

The retiring greenkeeper’s efforts had received praise from some of the very best bowlers in the Waikato Centre area, he said.

The tournament was the culmination of two successful winter programmes completed on the traditional grass green. Te Kūiti was the only club to play on grass during winter – other clubs in the Waikato Centre play on artificial “carpet greens”.

Fourteen teams representing nine clubs took part – there were two four winners and two three winners, one of which missed out on the prizes.

Taking first place was the Frankton Junction team of Steve Liddington (skip), Dean Te Mono and Eddie Knox who headed off the Putāruru side of Noel Sutton (skip), Chen Naude and Graham Hoole by three ends and three extra points. A Te Kūiti trio of Geoff Mc Manus (skip), Jeff Heke and his grandson Bradleigh - playing in a tournament for the first time, took third prize, heading of an Ōtorohanga team skipped by Allan Johnston.

The new season for the club will start on September 7.

Tulip rules the green

The scoreboard said Urenui 27 Mōkau 17 - but the rugby match played in driving rain at Mōkau’s Tainui Domain on Saturday was a victory for both teams.

The home side’s Tainui Rugby Football Club and the Taranaki social side Urenui had to dig deep just to field 15 players, keeping alive an annual competition thought to have run since the mid-1960s.

Tainui president Jeff Davis described the match as was typical wet weather rugby, with lots of dropped balls and scrums.

It would be the only one for the year at the domain, a venue once the scene of a flourishing rugby activity going back decades.

“Back in the day, Taranaki and southern King Country teemed with rugby teams. They once had a team at Waikawau; one at Awakino, two at Mōkau and one at Tongapōrutu,” he said.

But in latter years rural population declines had gutted rugby clubs, illustrated by 2023 census figures putting the population of Mōkau as 100 and that of Urenui just 430.

“You can see why we had a wide range of ages (18 to 48 for Mōkau), fitness levels and quite a few fellas from outside our areas making up the numbers,” Davis added.

Both teams fielded players from Inglewood on Saturday and Mōkau borrowed additional players from Mahoenui and Aria.

“We even had a couple of players from Tokoroa whose dads had Tainui affiliations.”

Davis said it had been a big community effort for both small centres to stage the game and a huge thanks was due to all involved. About 60 people from the Mōkau community turned out to watch and the Mōkau Museum commissioned New Plymouth videographer Keith Finnerty make a documentary of the match. This would eventually be screened alongside other historic films at the Museum’s movie theatre.

“Urenui are just as passionate as us to keep it going. We never practice but we all love playing. I have played for Mōkau for the past 10 years, including alongside a lot of good mates who had moved on to representative footy. I feel proud that I can still strap the boots on and play because a lot of us now can’t,” Davis said.

“The Urenui trophy itself has been retained by Mōkau for the past eight years, and Saturday’s loss did not change that. It resembles the Bledisloe in that the challenger needs two consecutive wins to secure it. We beat Urenui 28-19 in an away match on August 2, so we’ve retained the trophy again this year. Saturday’s game was just for the bragging rights.”

Davis said the level of rugby the Tainui Rugby Football Club had now was the consolidation of everything which had gone before.

Earlier in the year a planned game against New Plymouth’s Spotswood United, was cancelled.

“So Saturday’s game has kept the rugby fire going at Tainui Domain for another year and I’m optimistic we’ll have rugby games there again next year.”

And though Tainui struggled to assemble teams these days this had led locals to try harder and be stronger, Davis said.

“And we own a superb multi-use clubrooms plus a rugby venue described as being among the 10 most beautiful in the country. We just need the players.”

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