Coast wins Seddon Shield

Press, 14 August 1978, Page 3

Coast wins Seddon Shield

Westport reporter Buller’s possession of the Seddon Shield was shortlived when it went down to West Coast, 15-7, at Westport on Saturday — they had won the trophy from {Nelson-Bays just a week before. The home team’s performance was laden with errors. Several shots at goal were missed, and many attacking chances were steered to the sideline. West Coast had an ace in kicker Tony Kissick, who thumped Buller with raking touchfinders, and kicked three penalty goals and a conversion. Errors, penalties and line-

outs featured prominently, and Buller paid dearly for its share of mistakes. The Buller forwards, with Neville Gear prominent, gained enough ball for the talented backs to show their 1 ability, but only once was the Coast’s goal-line crossed. . — best line-out j ball came from the lock, John Fitzgerald, although the captain, Ross Dixon, and Russell Johns gained a good share of possession. Kissick scored first for West Coast when he landed a penalty after 12 minutes. Shortly after, Buller crossed Coast’s line when the halfback Peter Dooley, and the first five-eighths, Alan Ireland, took play down the

short side. Ireland slipped jthe ball back inside to the I speeding Charlie Neighbours,' i who was up-ended on the line but managed to score. Just before half-time Kis■isick kicked a simple penalty i ;| from out in front when Bui-; ler erred yet again, to put' iWest Coast in front 6-4. Early in the second half 1 Rex Mumm landed his onh \ penalty goal to put Buller • 1 ahead. But Buller then opted to J play it safe down the sidelines, and Coast, with the ■ Seddon Shield to gain, launched a big offensive. j Buller were again penalised. and Kissick obliged ■ ; with another penalty goal.'

Kelly Ogilvie, the i half-back, was next to scon ‘Kissick added the conversion and the Seddon Shield was ■on its way to Greymouth. All the Coast backs had moments of glory, and in jthe forwards the number eight, Doug Henham. and 'prop, Jim Steffens, periformed their duties well, j The Buller pack kept its (drive going throughout, but itoo often valuable ball had to be won two or three I times before something constructive eventuated from the backs. Buller's errors and Kis- > sick’s kicking successes (were the key factors that 'led to West Coast’s victory