Another Win, But Not Inspiring Performance

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31136, 12 August 1966, Page 15

Another Win, But Not Inspiring Performance

"The Press” Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. Canterbury added another win to its list of Rugby victories this season when it beat Manawatu at Palmerston North 19-8 yesterday, but it was not a very inspiring performance from a side that is in quest of the Ranfurly Shield.

Too many dropped passes and a surprising lack of possession in the line-outs were the worst feature of Canterbury’s play and the score rather flat- , tered the team. On the run of play in the first half, Canterbury was rather lucky to be only two points behind, but in the second spell it tightened things up and its backs worked more as a unit. The teams were:— Canterbury —W. F McCormick: P J. Phelan. T K Hatchwell. G Hay: w. D Cotterall, B A. Watt: L. J Davis: R. Walnohu: A. J. Wylie. M. Millar, J. Franc's. N G. Cornelius 'captain). H Meech, J. N. Creighton, A Ropkinson. Manawatu.—H. C. Wright; W Robinson. M .Flynn. P. Temperton: D. Kitchen. D. J. P. Tai. toko: D. J. McCaskie (captain): A Cornelius; R. de Cleen, S Strahan, C. Young, F. Thomason. K. Nesdale, M. Riddle, D Knight.

McCormick was a pillar of strength at full-back and the back-line looked dangerous everytime he ventured into it. His line kicking improved as ■ the game progressed but his goal kicking was astray. Davis received a lot of attention but played well. The Manawatu forwards were allowed to come through on too of him too often. | Watt was his usual reliable self and his line kicking was [well judged. Outside him Cot|t«*rell was enterprising but Hatchwell, at centre, had (rouble with his handling. Of ♦he two wing three-quarters. Pholen looked the most dangerous. No forward worked harder than Wainohu, who chased everything all day. Wyllie came into the picture more in the second half. Millar found the youthful Strahan too good in the line-outs, but secured more possession when he went to number three. Hopkinson

■worked like a tiger in the tight and made two or three good bursting runs. Creighton secured two tight heads throughout the match.and was a constant menace off the ■front of the line-outs. Line-out Faults Perhaps a score of 12-8 in Canterbury’s favour would have been a truer indication of the run of play. With D. A. Arnold and A. G. Steel back in the team, Canterbury could be a different proposition but its line-out work will have to improve, i Manawatu forwards kept | Canterbury in check for most of the game, with the youthful New Zealand junior nominee, Strahan getting a feast of the ball in the line-outs. McCaskie served the side well at halfback and Taitoko often had the Canterbury defence scrambling with well-judged kicks. Manawatu Attack Manawatu attacked from the (opening whistle. After six | minutes Taitoko had a penalty (attempt which missed. Manawatu continued the pressure and after eight minutes McCaskie ran from a scrum in the Canterbury 25. He fed it (back into Cornelius and a ruck (formed. A quick heel saw him ! send Flynn on the short side and then Taitoko handled and, with Hay out to get him, Robinson raced across in the comer for Manawatu’s first try. Taitoko’s conversion attempt missed. After 11 minutes McCormick had a chance to equal with a penalty from the 10yard mark but the ball went to the left of the posts. Manawatu was now getting a lot of possession from the lineouts and Taitoko took another (penalty attempt after 28 minjutes, but this also missed. I The Manawatu full-back. (Wright, was penalised for (holding on and McCormick (took the penalty kick from the easiest of positions but missed. Second Try After 35 minutes McCaskie worked the short side to Taitoko who put a high kick in (front of the Canterbury posts. Two defenders were caught in possession and from the maul that followed de Cleene threw himself over for the try. McCaskie converted to give Manawatu an eight-point lead. Canterbury came back on to the attack and Wright was forced to call for a mark in front of his posts. His attempted clearing kick failed to

find touch and the ball was fed into McCormick who put over a fine 45 yards dropped ( goal to make the score 8-3. ( Minutes later Temperton i attempted to pick the ball up( in an off-side position and ( McCormick again raised the flags with his penalty attempt. After two quick rucks Davis sent his backs away for Phelan to score in the corner. McCormick’s conversion missed. Canterbury now led, 9-8. Taking Control Canterbury now began to take control and its backs were dangerous, but good tackling stopped many moves. Canterbury took a tight head after 38 minutes and Wainohu came off the serum to send Davis away on a jinky run which was stopped in front of the posts. From the quick ruck. Canterbury went away again and Cotterell dived across to score. Wyllie converted to make it 14-8. With time showing on the clock Taitoko dropped a had pass and Hatchwell picked up to run 40 yards and score unopposed under the posts.. Wyllie again converted and( full-time sounded with Can-( terbury 19, Manawatu 8. 1