Water polo retained

Press, 30 December 1976, Page 20

Water polo retained

From RAY CAIRNS Wellington

The strength of resolve and character borne from four times withstanding the pressure of winning the national club water polo title stood Beckenhani-Sockburn in great stead at Naenae yesterday.

In winning the Trans Tours tournament, and thus defending its club title for the third

'successive year, BeckenhamSockbum withstood a concentrated fourth-quarter attack from Maranui, and more specifically, its goalie, Murray Davie, rose to tremendous heights. This may sound a play on words, but rarely can Davie have risen to such a high level of individual performance.

Twice in the final 3| minutes, Maranui was awarded penalty shots. The (first from the” redoubtable Doug Spoor — the “player of (the tournament” — was (saved by Davie. Within a minute, there was another, and this time Davie saved from Ken Mark. From the rebound, there was another bullet-like shot: again Davie saved. Small wonder, he was named “player of the match.”

Beckenham - Sockbum’s ability to withstand the pressures associated with this particular tournament was placed under a heavy .strain, as it trailed Avondale all the way in the morning game, and only battled into a 5-4 lead in the final minute. But that match heralded the start of the resurgance of Mark Harding, such a disappointing figure for the tournament. And in the final match, there were signs of the old Harding, with great support from Dennis Reid, his captain, and Bryan Mustchin.

It was an excellent final day for the Canterbury teams as Wharenui shrugged" off the disappointment of narrow second day losses to the eventual finalists. Firstly, it systematically disposed of Hutt, then romped away from a demoralised Kaikorai combination — which lost its captain, Martin Craig, for the final quarter, for disrespect to the referee — to win 10-5. The final points table indicated that BeckenhamSockburn, Maranui and Wharenui were a cut above the other teams. But a closer analysis reveals that they merely had a greater consistency.

Kaikorai ran BeckenhamSockbum to two goals in its best performance — then only drew with the bottom side, Wanganui East. But the club championship remains the preserve of Beckenham-Sockbum and Maranui. The former has won the title all four years it has contested it, Maranui was the previous and only other winner. And Maranui has won, or

shared second place each year Beckenham-Sockbum has been victorious. The time is surely nigh for a change, and Wharenui — especially —- Kaikorai and Avondale are waiting to pounce. Results.—

Maranui 10 (R. Paterson 4, P. Dyson 3, A. Fogel, G. MeCardle, A. Hesketh). Wanganui East 2 (R. McKinnon, J, Duggan). Beckenham 5 (D. Heid 2, J. Davie, J. Symon, M. Harding), Avondale 4 (J. Banner-Martin. N. Wigg, C. Touro. N. McLeod). Wharenui 9 (R. Clark 3, G. Campbell 3, M. Lewis 2, 11. Tweedie), Hutt 3 (G. Duffy 2, L. Bergman 1) Kaikorai 6 iR. McConnochie 3,i B. Lichter. .1. Conroy, M. Craig),; Wanganui East 6 (P, Adner 2,; R. McKinnon 2, A. Just. N.I Hope). | Avondale 3 (J. Banner-Martin, I N, Wigg, Touro), Hutt 2 (Duffy,. K. Garratt).

Wharenui 10 (R. Clark 3, R. Campbell 3, R. ’Tweedie 2, C. Lewis, C. Wakefield), Kaikorai 5 (R. McConnochie 2, Craig 2, B. Lichter). Beckenham 6 (M. Harding 4. D. Reid, J Syman), Maranui 5 (D. Spoor 3, A. Fogel, Paterson). In the annual inter-island fixture, South beat North, 7-5. Scorers:—

South Island: M. Trembath 3. J. Symon 2, R. McConnochie, M. Harding), North Island, (P. Dyson 3, A. Fogel 2).