Stags fall short against Waihi
In the 120th year of clashes between Katikati and Waihi Athletic, this year was no different for the first pre-season game of the year for our senior team. Katikati had been working hard at training all week for the away match at Rugby Park in Waihi.
The weather gods turned it on for a hot encounter and Waihi were off the mark scoring in the opening two minutes of the game with a longrange try.
Waihi were again on the board in the 15th minute of the game scoring yet another try to go out to 10-0. Louie Darvill added three points off the boot for Katikati to take the first quarter break to 3-10.
The second quarter was much the same with Waihi scoring a try early in the quarter but Katikati replied soon after with a well-worked try to fullback Alex Frost, and Darvill added the two points to close the gap to 10-15, Waihi added another try just before the break to go to a 10-20 lead.
In the third quarter, as the legs and lungs started to get heavy in the lateafternoon heat, Waihi Athletic closed out the game with a try to put the game to bed 10-25 in a quarter that had both sides go back and forth down the park.
The game gave new coaches Marcus Howie and Kim Nankivell plenty to mull over for training before the team takes on Paeroa on Saturday at Moore Park at 2.45pm.
Standout players for Katikati were lock Rory Wright who toiled away hard all day both on attack and defence, hooker Ryan Crapp and the skipper flanker Louie Darvill both got around the paddock well.
Harry Thornhill was the pick of the backs with his crisp delivery and some sharp running from around the rucks.