D.C.L. Shield at stake tonight

Press, 22 August 1979, Page 36

D.C.L. Shield at stake tonight

Both the New Brighton and Shirley senior rugby teams have cast envious eyes on the D.C.L. Shield, which will be at stake this evening when the two sides contest the final under floodlights at Denton Oval. New Brighton, the C.S.B. Trophy winner last year, failed to reach the top four this season. That was a disappointment, but the D.C.L. Shield would give the side an impressive trophy for the cabinet, and for that reason “the team has kept going keenly,” its coach (Ceddie Smith) said yesterday, Shirley has never won a significant senior trophy, and the team is determined to rectify that in its first D.C.L. Shield final.

In their C.S.B. Cup match earlier in the season, Shirley won a tough forward encounter; 11-9. New Brighton has not beaten Shirley for two years, and Mr Smith has healthy respect for the opposition.

He said that Shirley was in the hardest section and was impressed it was able to go through unbeaten. New Brighton was also unbeaten in the second section. Both teams scored more than 80 points in five matches, but New Brighton conceded only eight to Shirley’s 39. However, Mr Smith does not read too much from his team’s excellent defensive record. He felt some apposing teams failed to create scoring opportunities. Mr Smith’s biggest worry is the lack of possession being won by the forwards. “We are winning about 35 to 40 per cent. 1 feel sorry for the backs at times, there is nothing worse for them to see the ball continually taken off the forwards.” Brian Richards, who has coached Shirley for the last three years, is pleased with the way the team has progressed. “It has taken three years, but the players are starting to do things as planned. Our aim is to win the battle up front first; forwards win games even if backs score the points.” Mr Richards said that he had respect for ,the New i Brighton loose forwards and the half-back, Graeme Ellis. Both sides will be at full strength and one interesting duel will be between the two representative half-backs, Ellis and Steve Scott.

The Shirley pack has developed into an effective ball-winning unit, which New Brighton will be hardpressed to subdue. Neither side has particularly incisive backs, but both have players quick to capitalise on breakdowns. Shirley will also respect the accuracy of Dave Bowick’s boot. The New Brighton fullback has proved a matchwinner several times for his team.