New Brighton wins rugby title

Press, 28 August 1978, Page 3

New Brighton wins rugby title

By

JOHN BROOKS

Not even the daunting! presence of Fergie McCormick in the Linwood ranks’ could stop New Brighton, from winning the CSB Trophy in the grand final of the senior rugby championship. at Lancaster Park oval! yesterday. Against a background of!

vociferous but well organised barracking from its many supporters, New Brighton twice came from 1 trailing positions to beat Linwood, 14-12. It was only the third occasion in the club’s history that Ngw Brighton has won the Sehior championship, and the victory was all the more remarkable for the fact that not one of the yellowjerseyed heroes commands a ’place in the Canterbury A squad. But superb team spirit, aggressive leadership by John Te Amo, and the closeknit combination which has been the seasiders’ hallmark all season, carried the team through to a well deserved win in a rousing game of rugby.

Linwood contested the match with stern intent, but on a muddy, slippery pitch, it committed several costly errors which cost the side j valuable chances to utilise I the attacking skills of the brilliant three-quarters, Terry Mitchell and Shane Gibbons.

It was undeniable, however, that New Brighton had improved markedly up front in the two weeks since its previous game against Linwood, which it lost. On that occasion the New Brighton pack won only 30 per cent of possession; yesterday its share was 50 per cent, and this was what Graeme Ellis and Wayne Burleigh needed

;lto keep Brighton to the forefront. 11 These two lively backs i clinched the game for their (side in the final quarter : after Linwood had regained .the lead. First Ellis scored II with a snapped drop-kick from the base of a ruck, and then Burleigh, after slipping

oyer in taking a pass, used the consequent element of surprise to make a sharp break, which Ross Gibson crowned with a try. The Linwood selectors surprised spectators by choosing Wayne Louden at t i g h t-head prop and McCormick as a reserve — both men retired at the end of last season. In spite of having only

two lower grade games this season, Louden lasted well. And the 39-year-old McCormick was as competitive as ever in his 40min on the field. He replaced an injured Murray Le Compte at half-time.

Murray McCoubrey was responsible for a great!' improved New Brighto erformance in the li ts, and Devon Power, ry Tanner and Paul B‘. soldiered away stoically the tight. Around the fringe Te Amo and Bob Davison were seldom found wanting. Ellis read the game well, and his raking kicks relieved strong Linwood pressure mounted by lan Mallard and John Phillips. Dave Rowe was all diligence for Linwood in the tight and after Mallard had retired with a recurrence of his groin in-

jury, Mike Randall proved lively in the loose. Phillips and the half-back, Gary Overend, tried many moves behind the Linwood scrum, but Te Amo and his flankers were able to thwart most of them.

Consequently, the Linwood back-line was hardly ever in full flight, although a perky Mitchell made the most of his chances, and scored his side’s only try with deceptive ease. Robert Johns kicked three goals, the first giving him his century for the season.

Gibson looked the best of the New Brighton backs on attack, but, in common with his marker, Gibbons, he had very few chances. After the match, the crowd of about 1500 watched Te Amo jubilantly hold aloft the C.S.B. Trophy

for the first time. New Brighton’s other championship wins, in 196> and 1971, were in the days of the Harewood Trophy. For Tane Norton, Linwood’s veteran hooker who was probably playing his last senior match, it was a moment for sombre reflection. It was Linwood’s third appearance, and third loss, in a championship grand final in the last five years. For New Brighton: Gibson and Simon Bell-Booth tries; Bowick a penalty goal; Ellis a dropped goal.

For Linwood: Mitchell a try; Johns a conversion and two penalty goals.

Mr G. G. Don was entrusted with the task of choosing the “Man of the Match,” and his selection was Mr Alan Bateman, the referee.