Kiwi skipper floored, penalised

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 36

Kiwi skipper floored, penalised

I NZPA special correspondent Dubbo | The New Zealand rugby i league team was back in ’winning form yesterday, scoring a 16-12 victory over an aggressive Western Districts team at Dubbo. While fighting never dominated the match, it was a hard and at times spiteful encounter. The worst mo[ment came 5 minutes before half-time when Western’s centre, Mark ' Smith, floored the Kiwi captain, Ken Stirling, with a right cross. The referee, Mr Tom Spain, penalised Stirling. The New Zealand halfIback played out the half, and was then replaced by Shane Varley. I Smith was on the receiving end in the second half from Stirling’s deputy, Dennis Williams. [ After a brief scrap Smith I suggested to Williams that they call it quits but the Kiwi vice-captain said he iwas “available." The Western players were [also adept at throwing jabs lin the tackles and only once were they penalised for it. For the first time on tour, the Kiwis ran into some questionable refereeing. 1 In the first half penalties

I favoured Western 8-1 In the isecond half 6-4. , It was encouraging that the New Zealand forwards, Murray Eade, Ray Baxendale and Mark Graham were tighter than the back three had been against lllawarra on Sunday. Still the local prop, Bob Blackbum, managed three long breaks through the middle of the ;Kiwi defence. The Kiwi prop. Whetu Henry, is improving with 'every game, although he needs to put more vigour into his play. Henry set up the try j which took the Kiwis clear lof defeat, cleverly slipping the pass to Taylor, who then I moved the ball on to Varley. | The Kiwi half-back beat the first defender and dived [through the arms of a second tackler to score. At time the Kiwis moved the ball impressively and efficiently, with the best example coming when Gary Prohm scored a try. For New Zealand tries were scored by Prohm, Eade, Varley and Graham while Jordan and Williams each kicked a conversion. For Western Districts David Michael, Phil Phillips each scored a try and David Tonhey kicked two conversions and a penalty.