Sydenham shares lead in rugby

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 15

Sydenham shares lead in rugby

Sydenham’s days as the butt of many jokes in Christchurch club rugby appear to be over. The side which sustained 37 consecutive defeats in 1974-76 is now level-pegging with the glamour teams at the top of the Canterbury Savings Bank Cup competition. On Saturday Sydenham celebrated the elevation to the national presidency of one of its favourite sons, Mr Charlie Rhodes, by pipping University B through a last minute penalty goal. Coupled with its against Lincoln College in the first round, this gave Sydenham its first back-to-back wins in five years and place it equal first in the comnetition with University A. Old Boys. Christchurch, Linwood and Shirley.

University A displayed the form which won it the title last season when it gained a five-try win against a solid Albion combination. But its principal rivals, Christchurch and Old Boys, did not excite much admiration and, indeed, Christchurch was a little fortunate to overcome the determined and mobile Lincoln College team.

University’s prop turned No 8, John Edmondson, won the Fletcher Humphreys “Player of the Day” award and his colleague, Doug Heffernan, kicked 13 points and was strong on attack. His great rival, Richard Wilson, also distinguished himself on all fronts and saved Christchurch from defeat with three well-struck penalty goals. But the outstanding kicker of the day was Bernie Stewart, who kicked seven conversions and a penalty goal in Marist’s 53-0 drubbing of Hornby. Most of Stewart’s goals ■were from wide angles, and he now has a one-point lead over Gary Cookson (Old Boys) among individual scorers.

The Suburbs first fiveeighths, John Neilson, equalled a competition record when he drbp-kicked three goals in his team’s match against Belfast. He also scored a try, but Belfast won, with the new half-back, Teddy Davis, scoring twice. In the first round one sen-

ior player was ordered off; on Saturday two more suffered similar fates, and in the same match. Mr P. J. Brandon dismissed John Te Amo, the New Brighton captain, and David Vincent (Shirley) in the second half of the game at Rawhiti Domain; Vincent for indiscriminate use of his boots and Te Amo for a dangerous charge The incidents were unrelated and isolated. The rest of the match, in common with the other games, was played in good spirit. Results were:Universlty A 33, Albion 3 Christchurch », Lincoln Co’'eg» Old Boys 13, Morivale-Paponui Sydenham 13, University B 10 Marist 33, Hornby 0 Belfast 22, Suburbs It Shirley 12, New Brighton * FIVE TRIES After a slow start University A played with skill and spirit to record a handsome 33-3 victory over Albion in the main match at Rugby Park, scoring five fine tries. Only in the first lamin was there any suggestion that the champion team would again bear the anxieties of the opening round. After that it settled down to plav constructive, entertaining tugby. But the final scare was a mild (Under o.i Albion, which lacked

nothing in courage and determination. Albion had 45 per cent of possession from all phases of play, it shared the lineouts evenly, and Paul Tew had the satisfaction of taking three tights from John Black and conceding only two.

But much of the possession Albion won came to it on defence. until half-way through the second spell when it came back strongly. When the ball was won in attacking positions, Albion did not have the pace or elusiveness to defeat swift flankers and hard-tackling University backs. Some of University’s tries were most spectacular. One was started by Doug Heffernan, going down mid-field like a battleship through breakers and then sending the ball on for Randall Scott to score his second try. Kieran Keane’s twinkling feet brought him two also and the fifth went to Ray Scott, whose rib-muscle injuries, suffered in the second spell, may keep him out of the game for a while.

University impressed with its ability to maintain the momentum of an attack through swift backing up from backs and forwards, and for the thoughtful distribution of the ball. Heffernan made a fine start to his season, with strong defence and some startingly productive runs on attack. All the others in a talented backline had their moments. John Edmondson made a very good job of his No. 8 role and with Gary Brown he overcame an early Albion lineout ascendancy.

Joe Gee w r as the most dangerous of the Albion backs, but there were some sad' lapses in defence from the backs generally Richard Hawkes. lan Kennedy and Murray Gee led a pack which never allowed the scoreboard to influence its performance. REVIVAL Memories of the shock defeat at Sydenham's hands the previous week spurred Lincoln College to greater heights of endeavour, and the lively side was unlucky not to beat Christchurch.

Although a very young team with little experience of senior football, Lincoln College carried the attack to Christchurch with power and purpose. The forwards were a particularly energetic lot, and even after the most prominent of them. John Patterson and Dave White, had retired injured in the middle stages of the game, the pack still pursued the ball with great resolve.

Unfortunately for the side, Brett Codlin, normally a reliable kicker, missed five penalty attempts; he had the opportunity to place Lincoln out of harm’s reach before half-time.

Christchurch exhibited greater resolve in the second half, but diligent Lincoln defence snuffed out the many thrusts. However, Richard Wilson, who had a fine all-round game, kicked three goals from as many attempts, and the second of these a good blow from 48m in the sixtv-third minute, gave his earn a lead it did not relinquish. The diminutive Christchurch loose forwards bustled after the ball with considerable devotion and tackled well. Mick Powley hooked well and the pack shoved College back smartly on occasions in spite of the absence of Peter Coleman and the retirement through injury of Mark Treweek.

But while Tony Penny’s commands were as authoritative as ever, his general play was not as sharp. Apart from two good runs by Jim Collinson, the backline failed to fire and it was left to Wilson to extract the side from trouble. His line kicking, tackling and running were ail of a high order. Rob Crawford did not want for support when he led the College forwards or their bursts, and Evan Lane and Phil Fraser showed the way in contesting the rucks and mauls. A penalty goal on the tick of time gave Sydenhj.m its second win of the season, but University B probably deserved to draw a vastly entertaining and satisfying game. Both sides ran the ball willingly, usually well, and it was non-stop attack by both teams. It was good to see such enterprise and movement; there was no time to waste on rough play. Again Sydenham’s fitness was impressive, and it certainly needed endurance, for University B applied much pressure in the last quarter, only to concede a penalty in the final seconds Sydenham’s full-back, Ken Taylor, made a good impression on attack and defence, the wing, Dennis Fay, had pace and both Gary Kirk and Brent Oetgen were most resolute on defence. Alan Dunlop was shrewd and

skilful, but the star of the side, and of the game, was the halfback, Wayne Tinker. He seemed to be everywhere, sparking off attacks, making heavy tackles, sending out extraordinarily long passes. A very high percentage of them were very accurate, and it was a pity that his first fiveeighths, Ivan Williamson, seemed unable to take them on the run. In a lively and enthusiastic pack Richard Higgs and Colin King led the way, but the others were with them.

University B had a good lineout forward in Hugh Barnes, a strong flanker, John Hipkin, and a clever number eight, John Matanga, whose second-half performance was first-class.

Gary Barkle almost matched Tinker in half-back skills and liveliness. Alan Tremberth at centre made some strong thrusts. But one of them had a comic note. He took the ball from a free kick on the Sydenham 22, in front of the posts, tapped, then ran strongly for the line. It looked impressive-, but he had failed to communicate his ideas to any of his colleagues. When he was halted and made a oneman ruck for University, the other 14 were admiring him from a considerable distance. MARIST RAMPANT Pat O'Byrne, a burly prop, scored three tries and Bernie Stewart kicked 17 points, ineluding seven conversions, when Marist ran up a halfcentury against luckless Hornby at Lancaster Park south. Marist scored nine tries in all, six of them in the second half after obtaining a half-time lead of 16-0. It was a convincing performance by an increasingly confident team.

Hornby played soundly in the first half and adequately dealt with orthodox attacks by its rival. After 20min, however, Marist seized on a successful formula by moving the ball wide through the backs and then feeding it inside for supporting forwards, with Hornby’s defence in disarray. The first three tries were all scored in this fashion. In the second half Marist enjoyed a surfeit of possession, and the three-quarters were given their heads; the three of them scored four tries in 15min. Near the end the lively Mike O’Donovan seemed certain to score his third try after a clever run, but he was dropped in a hard tackle—and there to take the inside pass and score was the bearded O’Byrne. The coach, Jake Burns, might have some difficulty persuading him to remain toiling in the tight after his three-try effort. Adrian Young cleared the ball sharply and cleanly for Marist and Bernie Stewart skilfully set up his supporting backs with splendidly timed passes. Young Steve Hansen showed promise but was a little hesitant, and Robbie Beckett w’as a strong, straight runner. Hornby tried some hopeful kicks, but Peter Gaul consistently ran Marist out of danger by starting swift counter-attacks. Up front Kevin O’Gortnan and Vance Stewart had their moments of supremacy and Kerry Flood, injured after 38min, was prominent in the loose.

Beaten for the ball and Increasingly despondent on defence, Hornby was not able to contribute much of value. Marist saw to that. MARCHING ORDERS

All that was memorable in the Shirley and New Brighton match at Rawhiti Domain were the orderings off of a player from each team In unrelated Incidents in the second half. The rugby Itself was unattractive, rugged and uneventful, with Shirley deserving its win for making better use of the strong wind in the second half. New Brighton, although having a distinct territorial advantage, was ahead by only 6-3 at halftime. The match was completely transformed in the second spell. Shirley did al! the attacking and set camp inside New Brighton’s half for all but the ast fewminutes.

A strong, spirited run by the left wing. Ross Gibson, in the dying moments almost, gave New Brighton an opportunity to snatcli a draw. He kicked over the full-back’s head and was winning the race, but the ball dribbled across the side-line. Most teams cry out for possession, but. for the most part, it was an embarrassment to the side with the ball. There were many moments of confusion and indecision from players in both teams. Graeme Ellis and Gibson were the best of the New Brighton backs, and Derek Davidson did some things ably at full-back. But like most of his team, he committed errors under pres-

sure. Paul Goosey, Jim Findlater, and Paul Bell had useful performances in the forwards. Roger Smith was an efficemt. leader of the Shirley side and Kerry Mitchell was the main bail winner from line-outs. Solid backing came from Graham Pulley and Lyall Hood, who proved equally competent when transferred to the backs. After an uncertain start. Steve Scott found form and played astutely behind the Shirley pack.

SWIFT DECLINE Spirited play in the first lOmin by High School Old Boys produced a try and the promise of an entertaining match, but the game from then on lost its sparkle and little constructive play was seen. Old Boys dominated the lineouts and rucks in the first spell, but handling errors stopped pro mising moves. In the second half the forwards did not enjoy the same control and the backs were unable to apply continual pressure.

Merlvale-Papanui had first use of the wind, but lack of possession stopped the side from making full use of the advantage. When play was confined to the forwards. Merivale came more into the game and for lOmin at the start of the second spell had Old Boys defending haid. Although the forw’ard Play was generally even, with Old Boys having an edge in the loose, the Old Boys’ backs were clearly superior. They had greater speed and ran with more purpose, but the line as a whole lacked cohesion.

For Old Boys. Darryl Park was an enterprising and fast wing and Richard Wixon a solid fiveeighths. The forwards were well led by Alwyn Harvey and he received solid support in the tight from Mark Harding and Mike Toner. lan Culpan and John Harwood were the best of the hardworking Merivale pack, while Alan De Joux came through a difficult day at half-back with credit. Paul Hammant looked the best of the rather lethargic back-line. FORWARD POWER

A stronger and more disciplined forward attack ensured Belfast of a fairly comfortable victory over a spirited Suburbs. The Belfast tight men were supreme throughout the first half, controlling the scrums and mauls with an authority that made the 10-all score at halftime seem a little unfair. Bill Bush was always prominent, while Tim Ashworth and Dave Thompson wrung a great deal of ball from their opponents in the mauls. In the backs, Belfast was also of higher quality, although much of the credit for this must go to their forwards. The Suburbs half-back, Mike Le Lievre, had a difficult time with his forwards getting bent and buckled, and his opposite, Teddy Davis, conducted a successful operation of harassment. As a result, the Suburbs backs had difficulty getting into gear. Suburbs’ sole source of reasonably frequent possession was the line-out where Stuart Munro and Craig Whale outjumped their opponents. At first fiveeighths, John Neilson had a fine game; not only did he score 13 points, but his attacking abilities often put Belfast under pressure. Suburbs made a gallant late rally, and although they won some good ball and their backs worked w r ell. the Belfast defence was too strong for Suburbs to break through.