Papanui earns league lead in close game

Press, 21 April 1977, Page 30

Papanui earns league lead in close game

By

JOHN COFFEY

Papanui beat the weather and a bustling Hornby team to emerge as the leader in the Canterbury rugby league premiership when the third round began at the Show Grounds last evening.

However, Papanui's twenty-third consecutive victory was achieved by only 8-7. The tussle in the heavy rain and greasy conditions was so even that Hornby must still be regarded as a formidable contender for the major honours later in the season. . ,

Two tries, scored in similar circumstances, carried Papanui to a useful 8-5 advantage by half-time and eventuallv provided enough points to keep Hornby out. On each occasion attacks were mounted towards the right flank, with Mark Broadhurst and then Russell Seaward stepping back infield to wrong-foot the defence as it raced across the slippery surface. There were other opportunities, particularly in the opening spell, for Papanui to increase its total, but the determination of the Hornby tackling and the tribulations involved in passing and catching with confidence combined to snuff out promising movements. It was not a night for ball distribution of fee quality usually expected from the

opposing captain-coaches, Rod Walker (Papanui) and Wayne Robertson, although Robertson found enough leeway to send his full-back, Robin Alfeld, across for his side’s only try after 20 minutes.

Rather, the tactics were, of necessity, reduced to the basics of straight, solo running, and long kicks. Walker punted effectively, especially when Hornby drew up to within one point with a quarter of the match still remaining, and he was also one of the most forceful movers when seeking to make ground. Kevin Williams, playing like a forward rather than a full-back, and the tiny scrum-half Ken Tait, also needed close attention from the Hornby defenders, and Seaward used chances on the wing to win the McWilliam’s Wines "player of the night” award. The hip injury which has bothered Robertson forced his departure after 69 minutes, but he had had an eventful time. He was sent to the “chilly bin” — aptly named in such conditions —

by the referee (Mr T. Drake) fo- disputing a decision, though there must surely have been more serious offences leading to the other 32 penalties which disrupted the game. The youthful loose forward, Wayne Wallace, Murray Wright (who won the scrums, 21-17 over Mike Godinet), Steve Brester and Merv Manson all served Hornby with distinction, without being able to sway the balance of power from Papanui.

Marist-Westem Suburbs learned that a domination of possession does not necessarily lead to victory when it was beaten, 16-8, by Addington in the curtain-raiser. Addington was given 13 noints by weak Marist tackling in the first quarter, and held on in spite of a 26-12 scrummaging deficiency and the concession of 13 of the 18 penalties. Wayne Clemence, the winner of the “Jim Beam award,” Rod Kirk and Mutu Stone established Addington’s solidarity in the - forward exchanges, ably helped

by Ray Canavan until he retired injured. Grant Stocker could be well satisfied with his all-round effort even if he unwillingly joined the queue of full-backs yet to find a counter for Mocky Brereton’s powerful running style.

"indeed, Marist could have done with more individual bids by Brereton. Its best players were John McCue, whose swift hooking and other contributions earned him the “Mennen special award,” and the rampaging prop, Kip Winika, while John Vaughan again topped the tackle count. Scorers

PAPANUI 8: (M. E. Broadhurst, R. A. Seaward tries; K. P. J. Williams goal) beat HORNBY 7 (R. Alfeld try; B. W. Langton two goals). Half-time: 8-5. Referee: Mr T. Drake. ADDINGTON 16 (P. Lagrosse two, W. Clemence, M. D. Stone tries: G. H. Stocker two goals) beat MARISTWESTERN SUBURBS 8 (K. K. Winika, M. P. Brereton tries; C. E. W. Charlton goal). Half-time: 13-5. Referee: Mr D. Smith.