Linwood leads rugby league premiership

Press, 17 April 1980, Page 6

Linwood leads rugby league premiership

By

JOHN COFFEY

Linwood assured itself of at least a share of the lead in the Canterbury rugby league N.Z.I.G. premiership when it beat Papanui, 26-17, in a rousing match at the Show Grounds last evening. Only Sydenham—if it beats Marist-Western Suburbs when the second round is completed on Sunday—can now draw level with Linwood at this early stage of the competition. Already there is the promise of a closely-contested premiership. Linwood and Papanui proved last evening that they had wasted no time in getting into their stride and. in the curtain-raiser, there was a highly entertaining 19-13 win for Hornby at the expense of a spirited Kaiapoi XIII.

The Linwood pack was mainly responsible for Papanui’s demise, although Lewis Hudson’s goalkicking—seven successes from eight attempts—was of equal worth in keeping Linwood out of range for most of. the second half.

Only John Coale’s second try, a spectacular effort when his wing, Russell Seaward, swooped on a kick-off which had been muffed by a Linwood player, gave Papa.nui’s supporters cause to anticipate victory. That brought Papanui back to 12-14 but Linwood regained its composure, and confidence and replied with two quick tries.

Linwood’S' forward pattern and the manner in which it carried out its . various tasks could hardly be faulted. Rex Dalzell has seldom moved with more pace and penetration, Mike Smith made a quite outstanding contribution at loose forward, and Paul Truscott, Dougal Adams, Eric Hakopa, and Gary Briden were inevitably shoulder-to-shoulder in the many forays which pierced Papanui’s defence, i Their backs, if filling a complementary role on the night, were an integral part of the Lin[wood tackling line which kept [Papanui restrained. Cole and [the full-back, Michael Williams,

managed a few breaks, usually without enough support' to evade the Linwood cover.

When Linwood did' choose to move the ball along its back-line it times its assaults particularly well, and the left wing, Paul McCone, capitalised on two overlaps that were the product of swift and sure deliveries.

Just a little better finishing of promising manoeuvres would have made Kaiapoi even more of a threat to Hornby. Kaiapoi did move ahead briefly in the second spell, before suffering a period of defensive lapses that allowed Hornby three tries within seven minutes. To its credit, Kaiapoi surged back and still had the prospect of emerging with a draw until the Hornbv "scrdm-half, Merv Manson, kicked a field goal in the last minute. Kaiapoi has performed most creditably so far this season, and cannot be under-rated by any of its rivals. The return of Mark Fuller and Danny Millward has given a more solid appearance to the Kaiapoi pack, and the young fullback, Steve Dickson, had an especially fine game In his defensive duties and when setting Dennis Neylon up for the second of his two tries.

Bruce Cooper, a very lively stand-off, and the versatile Mel Tihore impressed in the Hornby backs, Wayne Wallace continued his. purple patch of form at loose forward, and Alan Rushton and Steve Bazley had robust matches from their second-row positions. Results:—

■ Linwood 26 (P. M. McCone two, M. J. Smith, D. Adams tries: L. E. Hudson seven goals) beat Papanui 17 (J. P. Cole two. M. J. Williams tries; B. Nicholson four goals). Half-time: Linwood, 11-7. Scrums: Linwood, 17-14. Penalties: Papanui, 12-7. Referee: Mr W. J. Menzies. Hornbv 19 (S. P. Bazley, W. J. Wallace, M. Tihore, P. Ashton tries; Ashton three goals; M. A. Manson field goal) beat Kaiapoi 13 ID. R. Neylon two, T. Stanley tries; S. Dickson two goals). Half-time: Hornby, 5-0. Scrums: Kaiapoi, 15-13, Penalties: Hornby. 9-7. Referee, Mr C. J. Dhyrberg.