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SEVERAL carloads of local supporters gave a welcome boost to Whakaarangi (Stratford) during a hard fought game against New Plymouth’s Te Ahi Kaa pango, in New Plymouth last weekend.
The game, which resulted in a 26-30 win to Te Ahi Kaa, was part of the Taranaki tribal rugby league tournament.
Team member Loni Ward says the team was buoyed by the support it has received since last week’s press story. They’ve been given the use of the Page St sports amenities by owner Mike Ryan and received a sponsorship of water bottles and player of the day awards from Stratford’s Video Ezy.
“We just want to say thank you to them and to the people who are coming along to support the team,” he says.
The player of the day on Saturday went to Jarred Baker, with Ricki Dean named best forward and Whetu Cameron the best back.
This weekend’s game is being played in Stratford at the Page St field, and kicks off at 12.30.
“We are playing Waitara, the old enemy, and we expect it to be the hardest game of the tournament,” he says.