Christchurch Has Comfortable Win

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32305, 25 May 1970, Page 8

Christchurch Has Comfortable Win

CHRISTCHURCH 30: P. Coles (two), D. Pyatt. R. Knight, J. Gordon and D. Arnold tries; J. Stenhouse three conversions and a penalty goal; Arnold a penalty goaf. MERIVALE-PAPANUI 9: D Warren a try; R. Pirie and M. Mene penalty goals.

Christchurch had far too much pace in its back-line for Merivale to counter, but not for the first time this season Christchurch failed to score the points it should have. At least three tries were lost through a silly mistake in the final stages of a movement.

Although there was no doubting the better-equipped side, Merivale did reasonably well in the first half to contain its rivals. However, in the second spell there was only one side in it and Christchurch added 19 points to Merivale's three. With Pyatt, and to a lesser extent D. McLellan, securing much good ball from the line-outs, the talented Christchurch line was given every opportunity to show, its paces. More often than not it was a faulty or forward pass which prevented this incisive running reaping rewards. After the resistance of the first half had been overcome, the Christchurch forwards drove through and R. Mahon again showed he has few equals in the senior competition.

P. Dalzell was another Christchurch forward to regularly stand out in loose play, while in the tight none worked harder than F. Townsend.

The Merivale pack, with little of the purpose of the Christchurch eight, was hard-pressed to maintain any sort of unity, either on attack or defence. D. Wynne occasionally made his presence felt in the lineouts and he was the best of the Merivale forwards in attempting to repel the Christchurch forward drives. J. Fitzgerald tried hard to disorganise the Christchurch backs, a pursuit in which he had some measure of success. A. Penny served his backs well from the base of the Christchurch scrum and in mid-field. Knight and B. Cochrane were always a threat. Coles scored two good tries, but threw away a third when surprisingly he decided against going for the corner. The Merivale backs were too occupied with defence to show any flair on attack, but when the chance arose to chase the ball through they burst out of their own half with enthusiasm. At full-back R. Pirie was constantly under pressure and generally fared well. His long, raking kicks were often instrumental in getting his .side out of trouble. Referee: Mr S. Miller. I