Marist slips from rugby top four

Press, 13 June 1977, Page 17

Marist slips from rugby top four

Marist stopped its losing streak in the C.S.B. senior rugby competition on Saturday but failed to check its slide from the select company of the top four. In a rousing match at Rugby Park, Marist drew, 12-all, with Belfast, but the point it gained from its vigorous endeavours was insufficient to keep it in the leading group. It had lost its previous three games. Christchurch and University A, both below normal strength because of injuries in the first case and N.Z.U. commitments in second, rallied in the second half of their games to maintain second and third positions. University’s win was the most remarkable as it trailed, 4-12, at half-time. New Brighton held its championship lead with a comfortable win against University B and Old Boys emerged as a clear fourth by scoring eight tries in beating Hornby, 49-7. Further down the ladder, Linwood struggled to beat Burnside and Sydenham made a second-half comeback to lose narrowly to Albion. Results:— New Brighton 11, University B 0. University A 21, Shirley 16. Christchurch 13, Lincoln College 6. Linwood 15, Burnside 10. Suburbs 18, Merivale-Pspanui 0. Belfast 12, Marist 12. Albion 19, Svdenham 16. Old Boys 49, Hornby 7.

The Belfast tight-head prop, Billy Bush, was all power and determination and played as if to show the national selectors that he should have been in the j All Black test team. He won the Fletcher Humphreys “player of the day” award. In the Old Boys scoring spree,' Gary Cookson scored 21 points and Stuart Purdon gained three tries. Christchurch players paid an appropriate tribute to their livewire flanker John Mill, by carrying him from the field at the end of the match against Lincoln College. Mill leaves this week for Britain. FINE DISPLAY Belfast scored three tries to Marist's two in one of the most stirring senior games of the season but the 12-all draw in this main match at Rugby Park was a fair result. It was a magnificent match mainly for the quality of the forward play, although tne backs of both sides ran the ball willingly and welL It was remarkable for the reversal of form shown by Marist which had a desperate struggle before ending its losing sequence. At half time, Belfast, although only two points ahead, had looked verv much better than Marist. With its pack at its peak, it seemed certain to go further ahead in its down-wind spell. Belfastt scored again after three minutes but then Marist. which had lost possession in rucks and mauls 19 to three in the first half, came back bravely. The side played Inspired foot-

balL After the scores had been levelled, Marist retained the initiative, but, in the final five minutes, it was all Belfast again and only desperate defence held the match to a draw. The pace and purpose of nearly all the players was admirable. It was a pity that some untoward incidents occurred but they were infrequent and were quickly halted by the referee, Mr M. L. Fitzgibbon. Belfast was at its best with surging forward short-passing rushes. Marist excelled in the line-outs from which it won nearly 70 per cent of possession. There were many fine individual displays in tills exciting encounter. For the first hour, Bill Bush was exceptionally good. His bullocking runs helped Belfast to its domination of the rucks and mauls. He was a tower of strength on defence, too. Dave Thompson also had an outstanding game and John Freeman, on the wing, was all dash and determination. Larry Brown, the Belfast first five-eighths, had a depressing day, being able to do little right. Although Peter Sheehan, at full-back, was dependable and a strong runner, he had a woeful time with his goal-kicking, missing all eight attempts. Although Gary Collins suffered the rare embarrassment of conceding two tight heads, a measure of Belfast’s powerful sc -ummaglng he was again in splendid form. Vance Stewart was as able as ever. The second five-eighths, Bob Beckett, distinguished himself with good tackling and covering and the full-back. Brian McLean, had one of his best games. FITS AND STARTS In a patehy game at Rawhlfl domain. New Brighton overwhelmed a spirited University B side. But from start to finish, there was an abundance of silly errors by both teams. After a few minutes, Brighton took command up front and held that advantage until the final whistle. The University backs, however, showed far more zest and flair than their opponents. Craig Shearer was the most impressive of the University backs. He tackled hard and low and looked dangerous on attack. A large part of the match was a see-saw affair, with play moving from one touch-line to another. On the rare occasions that the ball reached the New Brighton wings, there was some sparkle. Unfortunately for Brighton and, for that matter, the spectators, there was far too much mishandling. Toward the end of the first half, the attacking cogs of the Brighton machinery seemed to run more j smoothly and with more effici- , ency. _ , , ! The most notable of the Brigh- ’ ■ ton players were the hooker, - Bob Davison, and half-back : Graeme Ellis. Davison worked ‘ hard in the tight and made some I fine breaks from the front of lithe line-out. Ellis caused head- ’ aches in the University camp " with his accurate kick ahead and also made some fine breaks from _ scrums and rucks. BIG REVIVAL 6 A spirited second spell rei- surgence by University A overs came an eager Shirley side In a rugged, bruising encounter In the mud of Lancaster Park South.

Two converted tries by Shirley gave the side an early lead. For most of the first half. University was under pressure. The Shirley forwards controlled the line-outs, had the opposition backpedalling in scrums, and were quick to the loose ball. The backs also played well with adroit kicking and strong running. However, the position was reversed after the change-over. University, which had looked lethargic, found renewed vigour and. with both forwards and backs placing with confidence, crumpled its opponent. The forward play in this period was hard and uncompromising and the bottom of a ruck was not a nice place to be. It was a good performance by University, which had seven players Involved with New Zealand Universities. The replacements acquitted themselves well. None played better than the di-

mlnuttve half, Gary Barkle, whoi was stoic on defence and cleared tile ball well. Another who played well was the wing, Brian Nabbs, and Kevin Jennings showed that he had lost little of his old ability. Ray Scott led the University forwards by example and made some telling runs with the ball. Others who had sound games were John Matenga and Graham Lomas. The Shirley forwards played a robust game throughout, with Graeme Pulley and Roger Smith always in the thick of things. At half-back, Robert Kilworth had a good game, as did the first five-eighths, Steve Scott. But Scott spoilt an otherwise good impression by deliberately striking and felling the University centre, Neil Mackie. FORTUNATE WIN If was a lucky Linwood side that beat Burnside at Burnside Park. With plenty of courage in the forwards, Burnside outplayed Linwood in the first spell and led, 7-6, at half-time. Strong, purposeful scrummaging and rucking were features of a rather scrappy game, which kept a large crowd on its toes. Linwood’s senior partners, Fergie McCormick, the All Black captain (two tight heads to one) 1 Tane Norton, and the kicking king, Peter Jellyman, all left ' their mark on the game. But all the plaudits must go , to the Burnside team for another I brave effort, which faltered only : at the last hurdle. When trying : a 22m blind-side drop-out to a wing, Burnside allowed Murray Le Compte to score unopposed after a good piece of handling, which did not characterise the game. Burnside forwards to impress were Ron Grossi, Paul McKay, and Paul Smart, and, with Graham Church, they varied the • line-out possession well. Phil Wal--1 ters, at half-back, outplayed Gary s Overend, his opposite, and used ’ himself well in the tight-loose, : of which there was plenty. ' The Burnside backs had their t moments, tackled well, kicked ' a little too often, particularly ' on the blind, and just failed to • handle the pass to the greatest ’ advantage. Linwood had few stars, but - lots of bruises. McCormick again s played with great vigour and

purpose, but lacked support, Bruce Hanhatn. at first fiveeighths, did not set his line alight and, with Shane Gibbons having an off day. there was little to admire in the Linwood attack. However. Jellyman came right with his kicking, after missing three within his range, to seal the game for Linwood. In the forwards, only Rob Johns and lan Mallard played with any zeal and this left the way open for Burnside to show its teamwork and dedication to the task in hand. It was not a great game, but one full of hope for an emerging club. UNTIDY Apart from a runaway try by Scott Cartwright and a stylish dropped goal by Bruce Cochrane, there was little to enthuse over in the Christ-church-Lincoln College match at the Christ's College field. Forward involvement was intense but many of the exchanges were very- untidy. The rucks were particularly tatty, with bodies piled high in disorder, half-backs scraping desperately for the ball, and raucous cries echoing round the field. The back play was ordinary and most of the really promising moves were thwarted by the ball carrier retaining possession too long. Lincoln College backed up well but its moves were predictable. Murray- McEwan. without having to call too much on his powers of anticipation. was able to foil the attempted breaks. Lincoln packed a good scrum and its cohesive shove had the vastly changed Christchurch combination struggling to hold its ground. Greg Mackenzie was a vigorous tight forward and Rob Crawford tackled well. As usual, Phil Hart directed operations coolly and well at halfback.

in spite of the earnest efforts of both sides, the first half was scoreless. Two errors by Lincoln in the second half cost it the game. A clearing kick which failed to reach the side-line gave Cochrane the chance for a dropkick and. 18 min. later. Cartwright snared a lobbed Lincoln pass and ran 60m to score. Cochrane played with authority in the Christchurch backs, and the “Vikings”—Mike Pawley, John Mill, and Tony Porter—-

were the most Industrious of the forwards. 0.8. RUN RIOT Supremacy In every department ensured a handsotne and easy victory for High School Old Boys over Hornby. The game followed a familiar pattern throughout. The Old Boys forwards continually moved forward, the ball was ted through the backs, a gap was invariably found, and often a try resulted. The only bright spot, as far as Hornby was concerned, came at the end when a fine attacking movement resulted in the team’s only try. The Old Boys forwards were continually on the rampage. In the rucks, scrums and mauls thev formed an efficient and ruthless machine, while in the loose Stuart Purdon was superb. In the backs, Terry Mehrtens excelled. His handling and judgment were impeccable, while his solo dabs and ability to run through tackles made him a constant menace, Phil Thomas, at half-back, was sometimes a little slow away with his pass, bringing difficulties lor the outside backs. Generally, however, the Old Boys backs were very much a well-oiled machine in full production. COME-BACK A Spirited and often competent second-half performance was not sufficient to compensate Sydenham for i»« gross errors In i*ae first spell But, after trailing Albion by 13 points at the interval, Sydenham lost by only three. Tills early match at Rugby Park was not one of the game’s great occasions for It was a rather ragged affair. One felt sympathy for Sydenham the previous week when it might w ell have salvaged a draw from Hornby. But against Albion it had 40 minutes of pathetically weak defence during which a ' willingness to succumb to i dummy passes cost it two tries—the only ones Albion scored. Sydenham had a fair share of possession but, unless the halfback, Wayne Tinker, ran with the ball, there was little penetration. linker made two or three very sharp breaks His passing posed problems for Ivan Williamson, his first five-eighths, but when the ball was cleared

safely, there were often pasalni errors further out. Albion looked a confident tean for much of the match, witi Ainsley guested, playing at fira-five-eight ns, directing piay ver* ably. John Truman ran strong ij and Joe Gee gave good servui , behind the scrum. .Murray Davie a prop, played a good, robus game ana Stuart Anderson woi good line-out ball and rovec effectively. Colin King played a sterling game for Sydenham but had retire, unwillingly, with an in ’ jury just before half-time. All ar 1 Duffin plaved another gooc ■ game and Tinker covered veij tellingly. ‘ Although Sydenham did mud 1 better when playing with th« ’ wind, it was still 13 points be J hind with 10 minutes remaining ! But it scored two good and de » served tries in the closing minutes to shorten the gap » Sounder tackling early, ant 1 fewer errors—the penalty coun j against Sydenham was 21 to It > —would probably have brough i the cardinals much-needed suo 1 cess. SUBURBS ON TOP 1 Suburbs played sound, conr fident rugby against Me rlvale Papanui and the result was an 5 attractive, free-flowing game The basis of Suburbs’ super! ority lay in the forwards, whose work over all was superior and in the rucks, excellent. Manj times they were perfectly pos» tinned and, as a result, the naif back, Lyn Davis, was able t< give his outsides fine service. The backs relished this goot possession and their running passing was swift and sure. Jobr Nielsen showed a sound pair oj / hands at first five-eighths and s also ran with nice balance tc a score his try. Graham Sims wai t intelligent on attack and tacklec i , surely. 1 Both wings, Peter Molloy ant ) | Geoff Brain, were fast and con t tinuallv tested the defence witt spirited running The brothei'. i! Stewart and Mike Cron, were >i capable forwards whose all • round work wa.s impressive Eddy Cutts lost little by com r parison. Merivale-Papanui was nevei i really in the game. The forward! • were outplayed and the back* • had little opportunity to motint j cohesive attacks. Nick Tich ■ bourne played his usual sounc t game at fullback and lan Culpar I was the best of the forward*.

Points:— W L D F A Pts N. Bright. 10 1 — 175 56 20 Chch 9 2 — 217 89 18 Univ. A 8 2 1 244 89 17 Old Boys 8 3 — 208 117 16 Marist 7 3 1 242 106 15 Belfast 6 3 2 135 84 14 Linwood 7 4 — 175 131 14 Albion 7 4 — 138 162 14 Line. ColL 5 4 2 149 98 12 Bumside 5 6 — 123 150 10 Suburbs 4 6 1 127 124 9 Shirley 3 7 1 104 191 7 Univ. B 2 9 86 211 4 Hornby 2 9 — 83 232 4 Mer.-Pap. 1 10 — 62 228 2 Sydenham — 11 — 60 260 0