WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP Unbeaten Chch clubs strongly favoured

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33739, 11 January 1975, Page 14

WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP Unbeaten Chch clubs strongly favoured

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RAY CAIRNS)

The winner of this evening’s clash between BcckcnhaniSockburn and Wharenui will likely become the holdei ol l a. Ryan Cup for the next year.

Both were unbeaten after the first day’s play in the Trans Tours national club water polo championship yesterday.

And both have played the redoubtable Hutt side, Beckenham-Sockburn scoring a shaky win and Wharenui sharing an exciting draw. Maranui, the other major contender, is also unbeaten and has still to play both Christchurch clubs, and this will make for a difficult task today for Wharenui. This morning, at Queen Elizabeth II Park, it plays Maranui, and the local “derby” against BeckenhamSockburn is at 7.45 p.m. HIGH STANDARD

Yesterday’s play was of an unusually high standard and there has probably not been a tournament before in Christchurch with the same high level of skills and exciting water polo. Beckenham - Sockburn, seeking to retain the Ryan Cup, was not quite at its best yesterday, but duly accomplished two wins.

It was given a stern battle by Hutt, however, and that team, which shared second place last year, could only blame itself for losing. Rene 801, normally so proficient, missed a penalty and a 5-all draw would probably have been a fair result. Instead, it was 6-4, Dennis Reid scoring for Beckenham-Sockburn in the final second. CLOSELY CONTESTED But the match of the day was that between Wharenui and Hutt. Wharenui had a 2-1 lead at the end of the first goal; Bol’s power had put Hutt into a 5-4 advantage at half-time; but Wharenui drew back to 7-all with a quarter to play. And when Wharenui went further ahead at 9-7, it seemed the match fas safe. But not only did Hutt draw level, but 80l had a goal disallowed with a half-minute to play. As if that was not enough, Wharenui—in the person of Richard Clark—suffered the same fate 3sec from the end. Wharenui had its problems in the final quarter, too, with both lan Gunthorp, who had a commanding game, and Murray McGirr fouled out of the game. But in the final quarter too. it was boosted by a great goal from the excellent Peter McClure, a delicious lob from 12 metres which left the goalie bewildered and bemused. BREAKAWAY GOAL The other very close game was that between Maranui and Avondale, the Auckland club surprising with two stout-hearted performances. It played a largely defensive game on both occasions, but had the best of the game against Maranui. The Wellington club was a

Iman short and Avondale was attacking. A pass went loose. Ross 'Paterson seized on it avidly, and scored the winning goal. In the 'game against Beckenham-: ISoekburn, however. Avondale; bowed to steady and skilled pres J sure. Victoria University had the , hardest battle. It was trailing. 2-8. at half-time to Wharenui be fore the home team relaxed the pressure. Clark was quite devastating in this game, and Me- > Clure was again very good It {similarly had little answer to Maranui, although Mike McKin ley did some excellent work in goal. Outside tile New Zealand Games squad, the Avondale Games squad members. Clarke was the most prominent; his omission from that squad still puzzles. And of those in the squad, the Avondale goalie, Kevin Bruce.i must have advanced his claims{ most spectacularly. He had two outstanding games and he and | Michael Godinet (Wharenui) are; making sure that the two incumbents Murray Davie and Robert Borgers. can not rest easily. The day’s results were:— Beckenham-Sockburn 6 (M. A. I Harding 3, C. D. Robinson 2, D. J. W. Read) beat Hutt 4 (R. P { 80l 2 G. L. Schuster, W. E. j Martlew). I Maranui 5 (R. M. Paterson 2.! D. H. Spoor. M. J. Craig. P. W. Dyson) beat Avondale 4 (R. Harding. P. S. Tuoro, J. M Banner-Martin, B. McLeod), I Wharenui 11 (R. A. Clark 6, P. G. McClure 2. I. L. Gunthrop 12, T. M. McGirr) beat Victoria | University 7 (B. J. Britten 4,

G. Stephens, K 1) Stoneman, one goal). Beckenham-Sockburn 10 B M. tMustchin 3 Reul 2. Robinson 2. iR E. McConnochie. S. 1 Don. ne\. M. Harding* beat Avondale 5 (G. A. Knights, R. Hardinu. !’. land C. H. Tuoro. Banner-Maitm Wharenui <9 (Gunthorp 4. Me idure 2, dark 2. M. H Timmy .drew with Hutt 9 <Bol <■ (». Duftv 2, G McDonald' Maranui 9 (Spoor 3. d.uu K. W. Brodie. Dvson. Paterson P Jamieson> beat Victoria I Diversity 4 (Britten 3. Stoneman