Wharenui fights for water-polo victory

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34047, 10 January 1976, Page 3

Wharenui fights for water-polo victory

CAIRNS)

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The clinical effitienc.v of Beckenliam-Sockburn and the great fighting spirit of Wharenui have left the two Christchurch clubs together in the lead, and unbeaten in the Trans Tour national club water polo championship. At Queen Elizabeth II Park yesterday, BeckenhamSockburn took firm steps towards retaining the Ryan Cup for the third successive year with three straight wins, including a one-goal victory against Hutt, expected to be one of the strongest challengers. But the successes of Wharenui. without most of its' experienced players since I last season, provided by far the greatest highlights. First. Wharenui came from a 3-4 half-time deficit i against Avondale to win 8-6. Its finest hour came in the afternoon, however, when Wharenui beat Maranui, the first winner of the tournament in its present format and twice since then runnerup. Wharenui trailed 1-4 during the third quarter and victory to Maranui seemed a formality and. really, no surprise It would not have, been a surprise if such a young team as Wharenui — two 15-year olds, three 16,, and an JB-year-old — had wilted, but instead it fought back splendidly. A penalty to Richard : Clark was probably the turning point, and though he was fouled out late in the final quarter. Wharenui was then on the boil and Gary i Campbell gave it victory i with only 6sec remaining i when the ball skipped and splashed just across the line. Maranui badly missed Ashley Fogel, fouled out before half-time, and also lost the international, Doug Spoor, late in the game. Maranui’s loss makes t Beckenham-Sockburn’s task much easier. Rene 80l played a major part in Hutt's fine performance against Beckenhami Sockburn, but although the margin was only a single goal, the champions never really looked likely to be j beaten. ' However, they were also ; given a severe tussle by the ' young Kaikorai team, for which Russell McConnochie land Martin Craig did fine I work. Results and scorers:-Beckenham-Sockburn 9 -D. J. ‘W. Reid. 5, M. A. Harding 3. .). A. Svmun). Hutt 8 jit. P. 80l 4. W. E. Martlew. K. G. McLaugh- > lin, G. Duffy. P. O’Reilly).

Kaikorai 11 i.L Conroy 3> M. •).( Craig 2, It. E. MeConnochie 2,1 T S Loutit. B. Lichler, .1- Lon-| tit, own goal', Victoria Univer-; sit'y 5 (B. J. Britten 4. R.i Walken. j Maranui 9 -A .1. Fogel 4. K. A. Mark 2. D. li. Spoor 2. P. W , Dyson.*, North Shore S (B. lien-, nan, I. Harding, p. Mulligan. IX.; R Pollock. W Lunn). Wharenui 8 IP K. Tweedie 3,; R X. Clark 2, T. M. McGirr. c. 1. Lewis. M. .1. Lewis). Avondale,6 <P. S. Tuoro 2. R. Bremnei 2.; G. A. Knights, D. Hopkins). Beckenham-Sockburn 12 <M. Harding 6, B. M. Mustchin 3.i Reid 2. Symom. Kaikorai 10 'Me-> . Gonnochie 6. Craig 4). Hutt n iDufly 4, R 80l 3,; Mart lew 2, G. L. Schuster.; * O'Reilly i, Victoria University 4 ; ;*G. B. Stephens 2. W. Dewe. K.' Moriarty) Avondale 16 IP. Tuoro 5. c. F. ■ Banner- Martin 4. X. McLeod 3.; 'Bretnner 2. c. IL Tuoro 2*. North Shore 9 'Henman 4, Harding 2.: Pollock 2. Mulligan) ! Wharenui 5 'Clark 2, M. Lewis 12, G. W. Campbell). Maranui 4 Mark 2 R. M. Paters-on. Spoor)., Beckenham-Sockburn 15 'Must-i chin 5, Reid 4. Symon 3, .1. RJ ’Davie 2. K. .1. Baker), Victoria' University 3 'Stephens .3). Hutt 11 (80l 3. Schuster 3. O’Reilly Duffy. R. M. S. John-; Lston*. North Shore 9 'Henman 3 Mulligan 3. 011 2 Linn,.