O'Donnell in star role for club side

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 24

O'Donnell in star role for club side

IB:;

JOHN COFFEY)

Graeme Cookskv. the former international inside hack, has belatedly won inclusion in Ihe Canterbury Rugby league squad but it was another slight stand-off hull. Wayne O'Donnell, who was the outstanding player in the club competition matches al the Show Grounds last evening.

The smallest man in the premier grade at only about 11M. O'Donnell proved that he is also one of the pluckiest. He inspired Manst-Western Suburbs to a 23-11 victory [over Addington to give the [Saints a clear lead in section r Stuek to task O'Donnell had already proivided a try for his centre. Kevin Carey, and scored one i himself before he was I severely dazed in one of the 'many hard physical clashes [that were liberally sprinkled throughout the match.

1 As the game went on! ■ O'Donnell staggered around., stumbling several times as he sought to get back into posi-j tion, and it seemed certain* that he would have tn be replaced. Bui O'Donnell had other thoughts. He emptied most of the contents of a water bucket over his head and con-i tinned to carry out a splen-i did work-rate, tackling even the biggest of the opposing! forwards without flinching and continuing to probe the! Addington defence close to! the scrum-base. Third success Only three minutes after: the resumption, O’Donnell—; ever backing up his teammates—was on hand to capitalise on a break made by his brother, Michael O'Donnell. Marist faltered for a time and Addington crept up to 11-15 before Wayne O’Donnell weaved his way from a scrum in a zig-zagging; run of 30 metres that carried; him across for third touch-;

I down. With the Canterbury selectors having to add another back to Ihe squad for the fixture against Wellington in just nine, days time, there was speculation that O’Donnell had delivered so perfect a case that he would have to get the verdict in his favour.

The panel, aware that ex-! perience would be needed to! guide an already youthful : back-line contingent, was; probably wise in plumping for Cooksley. O’Donnell, how-[ ever, could be proud of his! contribution to a most excit-j ir.g evening of football—he; earned both his bruises and! bouquets magnificently. I

Largely because of O'Dor, nell's deeds and the fine dis plays in the loose by the back three Marist forwards Grant Findlay. John Vaughan and Stefan Hatipov, Adding ton was not able to capitalise on a 22-11 scrum supremacy and a 15-7 advantage in penalties. There was even more action in the second match. • when Linwood held off a nto-t I determined Christchurch ! Eastern Suburbs challenge to win by 18-11 — the last the of its points coming in the shadow of full-time — and ■become the only unbeaten [team in section A of the preliminary round-robin After a hectic start. I.m- , wood appeared to be gaining ; control when crisp passing • created tries for both of its i wings. Lewis Hudson and Guy Roberts, and another for the full-back, Doug Wells, to open a margin of 9-3 by half-time Eastern yvas not content to play second fiddle, and actu ally began conducting proiceedmgs in the third quarter Ito drayv even at 11-11. The [game had simmered from the [stan. and almost inevitably boiled over, with the result (that Rex Dalzell and Roberts I (Linwood) and John Magui ness (Eastern) all departed to I the “chilly-bin” after punchling broke out.

Mr T. C. Houston has now [taken his “chiljy-bin” tally to eight in just four days — no other premier referee has opened his account. If Linwood had lessened its momentum, it was not finished. A goal by Hudson nudged it two points ahead, and then a return to the ; quick, clean and long passing that had marked its earlier efforts gave Hudson the chance to dive across near the corner flag. Scorers Section A.— Linwood 13 1.. Hudson two, G. Roberts. D (, Wells tries; Hudson three goals beat Christchurch Eastern Suburbs II (\. Turner two, I Maguiness tries; B I Dickison goal). Half-time. Linwood 9-3

Section B — Marist-Western Suburbs 23 -P. W O’Donnell three. K. J Carey tries; M. U •I O'Donnell five goals; W D Beri field goal) beat Addington 11 (G. Te Aho try; Te Aho four goals). Half-time. Marist 10-2

Golf. —Johnny Miller has beer voted the outstanding athlete oi i the year in balloting by sport? I fans in the United States. The voting was conducted by the Gillette company for a 90-minutr [television special on the National I Broadcasting Company.