Kaiapoi Beats Linwood In Rugby League Upset

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 7

Kaiapoi Beats Linwood In Rugby League Upset

Kaiapoi, last in the championship in its two years of senior Rugby League, caused one of the greatest upsets in the history of the code in Canterbury when it defeated the 1965 runner-up, Linwood, at the Show Grounds on Saturday.

On form, Kaiapoi was given little chance of holding Linwood and certainly no chance of winning. In its two years of senior play Kaiapoi has beaten only the lowly Marist (twice), Sydenham and Christchurch teams. Its win on Saturday earned it the Desmond-Rogers Memorial Challenge Trophy, which it will defend against Hornby next Saturday. It was a day of upsets— Marist defeated Sydenham and Papanui staged a tremendous second-half recovery to draw level, but finally finish two points behind Addington. Hornby, now equal first with Addington in the championship, beat Christchurch convincingly. Results:— Kaiapoi 23, Linwood M. Marist 27, Sydenham 9. Addington 20, Papanui 18. Hornby 31, Christchurch 7. Points after two rounds are:—Hornby 4, Addington 4, Sydenham 2, Marist 2, Kaia-

poi 2, Linwood 2, Christchurch 0, Papanui 0. Dobbs The Most Dangerous MARIST 27: D. Dobbs (two), M. Hickey, P. V. Smith, W. Flavell tries; J. Keremeta (three), Hickey (two), J. Worters goals. SYDENHAM 9: L. Sutherland try; A Tuuta three goals. Marist gave a clearer indication of its championship aims when it scored 23 points in the second half against Sydenham. After a very even first 50 minutes a fine break by R. Anderson led to Flavell scoring his usual try and the deluge began. There was only one team in it during the last 20 minutes as the speedy Marist wing, Dobbs, scored tries from 50 and then from 100 yards after broken play. He clearly showed that he was the most dangerous player in the province when given the chance. The Marist team-work was much improved and the forwards paved the way for victory. Anderson tested the defence throughout and received fine support from Flavell, Hickey, Keremeta, and N. M. Diggs in the loose play. Only In the scrums could Sydenham win any superiority and B. T. Barron, its hooker, played a fine all-round game. Smith marshalled his backs well; Dobbs scored from his only two real opportunities, and C. C. Worters ran strongly on the right wing. D. J. McNaughton was sound at full-back B. Raietrick was the best Sydenham back and his kicks through worried Marist in the first half. C. C. Preece’s opportunities were limited, but he made the best of them, and F Clark was nippy around the scrums. Referee: Mr R. A. Pont. High-Scoring Debut ADDINGTON 20: J. Vivian (three), B. Wiki tries; p M V. White (two), Vivian goals; Vivian, a field goal. PAPANUI 18: S. Dunn (two), B. Ward, M. Daly tries; J. C. Hawthorne three goals. The Addington second-row forward and former full-back, Vivian, made an impressive debut for the season. He gave good support to his fellow forwards and was on hand to score three tries and also kick a goal and a fine 40-yard field goal the first gf the season in senior matches.

The Papanui defence had no answer to Addington’s forward rushes in the first half but, after trailing, 3-18, at the interval, Papanui reorganised its team and staged an exciting second-half rally. Addington had a difficult time keeping Papanui out and only a late penalty saved the game. Playing at stand-off half. White gave his backs plenty of opportunities and G. Teaho rah smartly from full-back. Apart from Vivian, M. J. Worters was Impressive in the Addington pack and made several runs through the defence, although he was inclined to try to intercept rather than tackle when not in possession. Dunn ran strongly at centre

for Papanui and he and E. Schwass were the best backs. G. H. Turner and K. C. Pearce formed a strong front row and Ward gave good support in the loose. Beferee: Mr K. Henry. Nine Quick Points Early Kaiapoi 23: E. Slncock. J. Nelson and T. Gage tries; J. E. Bond seven goal*. Linwood 16: E. Kereopa and G. J. Abercrombie tries; G. J. Bosanoskl five goals. Kaiapoi scored nine quick points early in the first spell and this acted as a great incentive. From then on it played well and fully deserved its win. Apart from one short period In the second spell, Linwood failed to settle down and Kaiapoi continued to bustle the side into continual errors. All three of Kaiapoi’s tries were the result of good football. Apart from enthusiasm, Kaiapoi’s greatest attribute was a great supply of ball from the set scrums. The former Kiwi, Bond, secured so much possession from set scrums that it could be an ill omen for ths Canterbury hooker, W. P. Noonan, who raked for Linwood. Linwood’s greatest disadvantage was poor handling and allowing bustling by ths opposition.

When Linwood started to show some of its true form, Kaiapoi refused to be deterred and maintained its spirited efforts and determination. Its handling was much superior. Beferee: Mr J. BUllsdon. 13 Points To Drayton

HORNBY 11: R. 3. Mullally (two), R. 0. Moffat (two), P. J. Tongue, I. T. Drayton, G. Woodgate tries; Drayton five goals. CHRISTCHURCH 7: B. Bebbington a try; W. Morrison two goals.

The fieet-footed and enterprising Hornby team completely dominated all phases of play in its one-sided encounter with Christchurch. The loser’s efforts were much too unco-ordinated to thwart the superb Hornby combination.

D. W. Moore, Wobdgate and D. A. Condick played splendid forward games for Hornby. Moore, especially, showed up with incisive running and good ball distribution. Tongue was enterprising in the loose. The Hornby backs combined with fluid efficiency. J. M. Bray played coolly at stand-off half and extricated himself from many difficult situations to initiate many attractive moves. The wings, Mullally and Moffat, were deceptive runners and Drayton was safe at fullback. L. Tehuia and B. H. Turton were the most formidable Christchurch backs, tackling ferociously to nullify many Hornby breaks. D. J. Carroll was polished at full-back. The best Christchurch forwards were E. Bennett and B. Franklin. Bennett strived manfully throughout to barge through the defence, but frequently lacked support. Beferee: Mr T. C. Houston.