Upset league victory to West Coast

Press, 16 July 1979, Page 28

Upset league victory to West Coast

By

JOHN COFFEY

Three splendid and spectacular tries in the final quarter carried West Coast to a thoroughly deserved, 20-15, victory over Canterbury in the Rothmans rugby league tournament zone fixture at Wingham Park, Creymouth, yesterday. Canterbury, confident of ; ining its unbea'. :n record against other provincial sides this season, thus became the latest in a long f j of teams to discover that West Coast, no matter how modes-ly rated even by its own supporters, remains a very formidable opponent c its home ground. ’hen Canterbury moved way to a 15-7 advantage 11 minutes after half-time it seemed sure of taking a successful first step towards Rothmans Cup honours. But it was the West C asters, steadfast to a man

in their furthering of attacks deep into Canterbury's territory, who finished by far the stronger combination.

Even when West Coast had been in front by five points early in the match there did not appear to be too much cause for concern in the Canterbury camp. Canterbury’s . forwards were keeping movements alive with their passes when partially held in tackles and there was every likelihood that West Coast’s resistence would subside under the barrage.

The wet condition of the playing field contrasted with the summery weather, but the Canterbury three-quar-ters had not been overly hampered. Lewis Hudson (twice) and Mocky Brereton had positioned themselves \.eil to complete try-scoring movements that were initiated by their forwards.

If there was any anxiety for Canterbury, it was from t! : gaps that were occasionally left round the play-the-balls. They, to that stage, had not been too costly because the inroads made by

the West Coast captain, < Tony Coll, were wasted from 1 a lack of support. But eventually it was a s series of such defensive mis- I demeanours which enabled i West Coast to wrench the i

game away from Canterbury. Michael Whitehead, the West Coast loose forward who was a deserved recipient of the “man of the match” award, started West Coast’s resurgence, linking with Bernie Green to split the cover, and Wayne Dwyer was on hand to touch down. At 15-12, West Coast had the scent of victory. Just three minutes later Chris Menzies — who had earlier claimed a try for himself by darting across from the dummy-half position — broke away, found Coll and Gordon Smith in support.

and Stephen Low was left in the clear on the wing. Canterbury could, and should, have restored the balance. The referee (Mr R. Anderson, of Wellington) ruled a delivery from Barry

Edkins to Brereton as offside and then marched Canterbury 20 metres upfield for disputing his decision.

Back came Canterbury and West Coast’s defence was in tatters when Mark Vincent, in the shade of the goalposts at the Runanga end, dropped what would have been a winning pass from Terry Giilman. That was to be the last shattering blow to Canterbury.

Reprieved and again relaxed in its work, West Coast suddenly surged out of its own 22-metres area and only a desperate tackle

by Hudson prevented Green from scoring. The cover could not reform in time, though, to prevent Low playing the ball forward and gaining his second try in the final act of the game. The Canterbury coach (Tevor Bisman), somewhat stunned by the happenings of the previous 20 minutes, could only bemoan the scoring chances that went begging. He was warm in his congratulations and admiration of West Coast’s performance.

West Coast’s forward and inside-back forays dominated the majority of the second half. Col! was an inspriation as leader, line-kicker and ball distributor, if overshadowed by’ the exceptional display of the aptly-named Whitehead. Dwyer was another to make his mark with his astute running and solid defence. Green was a constant worry to Canterbury in midfield,’Low’s pace on the left

flank had his opponents scrambling, and the probing expeditions of Smith and Menzies were also of exceptional value to the home side.

Only Hudson and Michael O’Donnell, of the Canterbury backs, were able to consistently make ground when with the ball. The towards were more effective in that facet of the match, but the defensive work-rate dwindled as the game advanced.

The Canterbury hooker, Alan Rushton, had a 13-9 advantage over John Griffin in set play, but that was more than cancelled out by Mr Anderson’s awarding of 17 of the 24 penalties to West Coast. Low (two), Menzies and Dwyer scored tries for West Coast and Peter O’Neill kicked four goals. For Canterbury Hudson (two) and Brereton scored tries and Hudson added three goals.