Win For Canterbury B

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32395, 7 September 1970, Page 16

Win For Canterbury B

In a match which rarely gave spectators reason to forget their pro-shield anxieties. Canterbury B beat North Otago 14-8 in the curtain-raiser at Lancaster Park on Saturday. The only Rugby of any notable quality came in the final quarter when both sides accelerated their earlier pedestrian pace and moved the ball with greater purpose and certainty. Canterbury, for the most part, pluyed as well as might have been expected of a side mhich had only been drawn together a few days earlier and which included a number of players who have had very little Rugby over the last month. Mistakes at vital times allowed a number of good scoring chances to be lost and a lack of co-ordination among the forwards often let the North Otago defence off the hook. For Canterbury F. Fowler scored two tries and M. Brown and K. Cowan got one each. R Griffiths managed one conversion from about 10 attempts at goal. P Forward, with a try, a conversion and a penalty goal, scored all North Otago's points.

With D. Wynne in fine form and valuable assistance coming from M. Perkins, Canterbury dominated the line-outs, but with S. Bowater having one of

his less memorable games ati second five-eighths a large amount of this ball was indis criminately kicked away. The North Otago forwards were quicker to the loose ball and although their rucking was not always spirited enough they were able to keep their backs well serviced. Canterbury led 5-0 at halftime and, with the backline functioning more smoothly after the change, looked likely to build substantially on this score. A winning break was achieved.

I but North Otago fought back strongly in the final 20 minutes and with a little luck would have brought the scores closer. Apart from Wynne, the best of the Canterbury forwards was J. Ryan He covered his backs diligently and showed wonderful judgment in being at the right spot to halt many of North Otago’s attacking probes, specially the short kick through. N. Cornelius was an able leader and was at the head of many Canterbury drives, while M Tavlor was seldom far from the ball and showed much vigour when in possession. The player of the game was without doubt the Canterbury half-back. Brown. His passes were long and accurate, but it was his running from the scrunh which lifted nis performance above the ordinary. It was unfortunate that he did not always have the desired support after he had made the initial break

P. Peacocke, at first five-eighths also had a good game with his positive approach in getting the backline moving being a constant source of pleasure. For North Otago, Forward was a tireless worker and B. Pringle tried hard to keep Brown in check. D. Findlay and J. Maze were of good value in the tight. P. Gard, playing at first fiveeighths, was a little indifferent ear’y. but he later showed his class with some elusive running The most consistent of the backs was the centre, I. Hurst. He ran straight and hard and twice broke into the clear by this method. At full-back, N. McKenzie was extremely able and his kicking won his side large alices of ground The referee was Mr H. Gray.