HORNBY UPSETS IN LEAGUE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 17

HORNBY UPSETS IN LEAGUE

A magnificent defence enabled the Hornby Rugby league team to overcome a 23-9 scrum deficit and beat Papanui, 15-10, in the lan Barr Memorial Cup final at Hornby Domain on Saturday.

Hornby was forced to gain its possession from loose play as K. R. Blackler dominated the scrums. He won the first seven and led 10-5 when K. M. Neiman was forced to leave the field with a hand injury. When J. K. Keremeta moved to hooker, Blackler won the first eight scrums and had a final advantage of 134 over Keremata.

Hornby used its scant possession to better advantage. When Neiman won his first scrum, the eighth of the match, B. Houston beat the defence and ran 20 yards to score.

At half-time Hornby led 12-5, after T. Jones had run 40 yards to score after taking an apparently forward pass. Papanui attacked for much of the second half and J. M. Toki burst his way past T. Williams to score.

However, Hornby kept its more favoured opponent away from the try-line and retained the trophy for the ninth successive year when Jones picked up a dropped pass and scampered 30 yards to score just before full-time. Jones, R. F. Neiman, and Houston were the most impressive Hornby backs. Williams had difficulty handling Papanui’s kicks, and his goal-

kicking was affected by the breezy conditions and a lack of inflation in the match baits

D. W. Moore ran strongly in the Hornby pack and Neiman, until he was injured, and G. Woodgate were most consistent.

Although he had limited opportunities on the wing, Toki was the most effective Papanui player on attack. B. Allen and S. Dunn made several initial breaks but were not able to evade the determined Hornby cover defence.

The outstanding player on the field was Blackler. In addition to his fine hooking he covered diligently and backed up his fellow forwards when in possession. N. Geddes scored a fine try after a deceptive 40-yard run, and D. J. Alsop and M. Chapman matched their opponents. Jones (two) and Houston scored tries for Hornby, and Williams kicked three goals from eight attempts. For Papanui Geddes and Toki scored tries and C. R. Schwass kicked two goals from four attempts. The referee (Mr T. C. Houston) awarded Hornby nine of the 16 penalties.