Zingari improves

Press, 26 June 1978, Page 20

Zingari improves

An upset win by Zingari and a free-running display by Temuka were features of opening matches in the Harris Cup rugby competition at Timaru on Saturday. Zingari had not campaigned with the best of luck in Skinner Cup matches but showed they are a rapidlyimproving combination by beating Old Boys, 12-6, at Morrison Park. The senior games set down for Fraser Park were switched to Morrison Park after heavy rain on Friday. Morrison Park had dried out quickly although it was a little slippery on top. It was the Old Boys forwards who mounted pressure for most of the 40 minutes and they deserved the 6-0 lead — two penalties by Colin Clemens — they held at half-time. However, the pattern changed in the second half, when the excellent combined work of the Zingari forwards, backed up by the skills of the five-eighths, Tony Goddard and Geoff Hannan, saw Zingari grab the initiative. Noel Veitch kicked a penalty and Goddard coolly put ; over a 24m dropped goal, and Zingari were level. The nippy Maori half-back, Peter Taiaroa, beat the defence with a sharp dab from a set scrum to score and when Veitch converted Zingari led, 12-6, and they never looked ilikely to be pegged back. ’ The Maori winger, Frank • Brooking, was the star as Temuka stormed to a 30-4 I win over Waitpate. Temuka’s i backs ran the ball at every opportunity and Brooking added the finishing touches by forcing down for four tries. The Temuka pack was far too strong, with the flanker, Bruce Thompson, in especially good form. Temuka’s 'other tries were scored by Thompson. Nigel Comer and Wayne Hobbs. Warwick Norton kicked a conversion while the half-back, Paul Johnson, scored for Waimate. Other results: Geraldine 17 (Michael Nolan, Robin Heron, Stephen McAtamney , tries, Tony Kelly penalty and a conversion). Pleasant Point 9 (Mark Ryan try, , Mark Jackson penalty and a 1 conversion); Twizel 10 (Alan McLaren try, Tony Wakefield two penalties), , Mackenzie 7 (lan Palmer jtry, Peter Anderson penalty).