Canty B beats Red Devils decisively

Press, 25 September 1978, Page 17

Canty B beats Red Devils decisively

Canterbury B furthered its claims for inclusion in the South Island second division rugby championship next season with a decisive, 27-16, win over Marlborough at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon.

Marlborough, with at least nine first choice players unavailable for the game, was never allowed to get into the match, and conceded five tries to a far more polished and controlled Canterbury side that has shown remarkable improvement during the season. Marlborough might have learnt a lesson from the game. After waltzing undefeated through the South Island second division, with five wins from as many games, it had already earned the right to challenge South Canterbury for a place in the first division next year. Saturday’s loss to Canterbury B must have shaken the Red Devils out of any complacency they may have had, and will have stiffened their resolve for the South Canterbury game later in the year. In any event, Canterbury B was simply too strong for the weakened Marlborough team. The forwards, ably led by John Harwood, dominated the lineouts and scrums at least two to one, and the manner in which they powered low and hard into the rucks denied Marlborough ball from this department. The backs, too, ran rings around their opponents. From the half back, Graeme Ellis, out, the Canterbury backs were far superior, running through weak tackles with ease. Marlborough’s first points

t came 26 minutes into ther - first half when the talented] s centre, Steve Marfell, goaleri i s the first of his four penalties] ; from 40 metres. But by then,; i Canterbury B had already • i scored two tries — one to ; - Ellis, and the other to the > volatile wing, Gary Hooper —and Doug Ilefferman, who * had a good game, had kicked I > a penalty and converted - Ellis’ try. < i At half time, Canterbury i led 19-6. Marfell had added another penalty for Marli borough, but Steve Hansen, i the speedy centre, touched > down for a lovely try, converted by Heffeqnan, to ] - stretch Canterbury’s lead. » Marlborough staged a re- . vival of sorts in the second , spell, but enthusiasm and vi- ; r gour could not match the. - disciplined approach of the . > Canterbury team, which was ; content to ease cjff and coast : r for the last 40 minutes. i - Marfell notched two more ■ 1 penalties for Marlborough in ■ the second half, and Mark z McKee, the busy second five : i eighth, scored his side’s only j t try late in the game. But| s Canterbury added two tries, h j to Hooper and the rangy < > flanker, Alan Croad, and i eventually won 27-16. j Harwood led the Canter-; s bury team with a firm hand, , i and he was well supported , by an efficient loose forward s trio of Croad, Murray i ; Straight and Don Hayes, j i who was awarded the Fletcher Humphries player-of- : s the-day award. Alan Martin ]

i won a feast of good ball in ] the lineouts, while Croad did twell at the back. ’ Ellis was particularly good, even though his task was eased considerably by playing behind a forwardtrundling pack. Whether kicking over his forwards, or sparking the talented backs with a long and flowing pass, Ellis was confident in all he did. Further out, Chris Rhodes, the Darfield first five-eights, showed poise and the ability to beat his man, although the Marlborough tackling was pathetic. Hansen, too, had a good game. Marlborough's pack will have to show a rapid improvement if it is seriously to challenge South Canterbury. Although the No. 8, Tangi MacDonald, Luckie MacDonald and Mark Best toiled throughout, the pack was shunted about the paddock in the scrums, showed an indifference when contesting rucks, and lacked height in the lineout. | It was the same story in the backs, most of whom I demonstrated a remarkable ability to miss tackles. Only Marfell looked at all dangerous, and his chances were pitifully few. Results. — Canterbury 27: tries, Hooper (2), Ellis, Hansen and Croad; Heffernan a penalty and two conversions. For Marlborough 16: McKee a try; Marfell four penalties.