Linwood qualifies for semi-finals

Press, 29 August 1977, Page 20

Linwood qualifies for semi-finals

Linwood, which appeared destined for the Gore Cup competition only a few weeks ago. qualified for the Canterbury Rugby League's championship pla'-offs as the result of two upsets during the last premiership round at the Addington Show Grounds on Saturday. To reach the semi-finals, Linwood had to beat Eastern Sub urbs or relv on Kaiapoi heading off Sydenham. Both of these unlikely events occurred, and Linwood "ill again meet Eastern; in tile minor semi-final under: floodlights on Wednesday evening.

However, it is probable that Linwood will face far sterner opposition than it did on Saturday. Eastern took the chance to rest several of its most proficient players and is expected to be back at full strength for the sudden-death semi-final. A try by the Kaiapoi secondrow forward. Jack Clarke, in the final minute of the late match on the No. 2 field finally put paid to Sydenham’s title hopes The lead changed hands five times before it became certain that Sydenham would have to be content to finish the season In the bottom section. The participants in Wednesday evening’s major semi-final, Pananui and Hornby, were not extended. Papanui had a big w in at the expense of Marist-Western Suburbs, and Hornby was almost as decisive in its win over Addington. Lewis Hudson, of Linwood, scored a try just before full time to advance his premiership total to 202 points. However, he was a minor place-getter in both the try-scoring and goal-kicking trophy competitions—Steve Holden (Sydenham) was the leading kicker ahead of Brian Laneton (Horobyl and Hudson, while Hudson trailed Warren Wright (Hornby) and Terry Giliman (Eastern) among the try-scorers. Wright and Rod Walker iPapanui) scored four tries each on Saturday, and Holden, T.angton and Major Timms iKaiapoit kicked five goals. Kevin Williams (Papanui) reached an aggregate of 100 points with his eight goals. The individual award winners warn Walker (Jim Beam). Hudson i McWilliams’s Wines). Wayne Wallace (Hornby. Man Tuami and Mark Vincent (Sydenham. Mennen). Results: Linwood 22, Eastern Suburbs 8. Kaiapoi 25, Sydenham 22. Papanui 58, Marist-Western Suburbs 6.

CONTRASTING ATTITUDES There was clear evidence that Linwood approached its match with Eastern Suburbs determined that It would not be through any fault of its own that It could have missed the championship semi-finals; Eastern, on the other hand, had a far less enthusiastic attitude. Eastern went into the match without Barry Edklns, Terrv Gillman, Bruce Murphy. Trevor Philpott, Tony Rushton and Paul Radonovlch, and it was not until Gillman appeared as a secondhalf replacement that it made much progress on attack. Giliman twice hurled himself over the Linwood try-line, but Linwood already had the outcome in safe keeping by then. It had used its greater share of scrum possession more effective!'’. with Paul McCone shaking off the effects of a head injury to score the second of his tries.

i The young Linwood back-line 1 responded well to the leadership of the full-back, Gary Morell, the scrum-half. Wally Wilson, and Lewis Hudson, in the centres. Morell was responsible for the most spectacular of his side's six tries when he joined the back-line at speed and raced through a shattered cover defence. Linwood’s forward play was never less than proficient, with Rex Dalzell, Alan McNaughto; and Paul Truscott invariably (taking the initiative to Eastern. They were also prominent in I the defence which kept the re-

arranged Eastern pack quiet Dean Harris and Murray French managed to find some respite from their Linwood rivals, but on no occasion did they completely escape the attentions of their markers. The Linwood challenge for the top four was pressed home most capably tn the aecond quarter, when three tries were scored. The It-0 margin at the interval would have been considerably more had Hudson not been astray with his goalkicking. Only Gillman gave Eastern’s supporters much joy In the second half. LAST-MINUTE TRY

Kaiapoi arms were thrust aloft, and understandably so, as Jack Clarke ran 1# metres in the last minute to score under the posts and give the country team a surprise win against Sydenham on Show Grounds No. 2. It was an even encounter, each team having its period of supremacy, but neither managing to sustain its superiority for anv length of time. Sydenham, ahead 15-12 at halftime, increased its advantage to 20-12 soon after the interval, but Kaiapoi showed more determination and lasted the match better over the final 20 minutes to gain a deserved win.

e, Both teams threw the ball | around as much as possible — y I although not always wisely — viand the defence* of both sides n were kept under constant sipressure. ■-I Sydenham had the better backs I line and its backs scored all t four tries, but the Kaiapoi fora wards did their job well and Sydenham was denied possession s towards the end when It needed hlit most. , 1 .Although appearing to pace j .mmself at times, John Greengrass accomplished valuable ti| defensive work for Kaiapoi and phe was given full support bv Dale Brown and Danny Millward. B Charlie Paki was the outstand-

ing Kaiapoi back and the eiusiv e scrum-half. Ray Howard, stretched the defence. Kevin Steel was a reliable lull back Mark Vincent, who invariably gained vital yardage w hen he got the ball, was the pick of the isydenham backs, although Rex lUistrick and Barry Bigwood both scored determined solo tries. However, the Sydenham backs played too much as individuals on occasions. The Sydenham pack was well contained, with Charlie Smith making a favourable impression and Dave Schultz showing up at times. PAPANUI ALL THE WAY Any thought that MaristWestern Suburbs would show marked improvement In IH first afternoon fixture on the Show Grounds oval were quickly snuffed by Papanul’s purpassful first half display. Papanui concentrated on keeping possession on the move against a suspect Mansi defence, and it was 33 points clear by the interval. Rod Walker set the pattern by sending Eddie Kerr; San across for an early try and e gained the first of his four tries soon afterwards. -Vs the half advanced. Marists tackling—-with the exception of the O’Donnell brothers—deteriorated. Papanui was allowed the freedom to pass at will and a much Improved Kerrigan restored life to ita outside back manoeuvres.

There was a brief revival by Marist In the third quarter. Stefan Hatipov featunng prom inently in both of its try scoring movements. Kerrigan restor ed order with ills second and third tries, and Papanui was again completely in control in tlie later stages. Walker. Grant Findlay , and Mark Broadhurst were the best of the Papanui forwards, while Kerrigan. Kevin W’illlama. and Gary Tale made many breaks in the backs. DECISIVE HOME WIN

Hornby made all the running on its homo ground, mors than doubling the 22 point margin that It held over Addington at half-time. Warren Wright, in the eentre for Hornby, kept up his prolific try scoring record, and the youthful Wayne Wallace was outstanding in the forwards With the eaptaln-coach. Wayne Robertson, restricting himaelf to the reserves in the opening hour. Steve Brewster took over the role of pack leader and distributed the ball particularly efficiently. When Robertson introduced himself into the match, he was quickly acron for two trio* in typically strong fashion. Tlie Addington defence failed to restrain the free-flowing style adopted by Hornby, although the scrum-half. David Wilks, had an impressive tackling rate Tony Ratu was the most formidable Addington forward, but even when Addington began to share scrum possession more evenly after George Berry came on. there was never a doubt that the score would continue to mount

Hornby 47, Addington 5. FINAL PREMIERSHIP POINTS w D L F A Pts Papanui 18 1 2 407 227 37 Hornby 15 2 ■I 484 248 32 Eastern 14 0 7 460 230 28 Linwood 12 2 7 450 .348 26 Sydenham 11 1 9 393 386 23 Kaiapoi 6 0 15 317 433 12 Addington 3 0 18 248 503 6 Marist 2 0 19 258 647 4