Enthusiastic response

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 28

Enthusiastic response

By

JOHN COFFEY

Canterbury’s quest to open negotiations for regular matches with the powerful Sydney rugby league clubs has unearthed more riches than expected. Two Sydney clubs. Western Suburbs and Newtown, have enthusiastically responded to suggestions of a game against .Canterbury in Christchurch early next season.

The glad tidings were brought to last evening’s Canterbury board of control meeting by Mr Ron Clarke, who, with his brother and provincial coach, Gary

Clarke, bad discussions with Western Suburbs and Newtown officials in Sydney last week.

Mr Clarke said that both clubs were equally keen, but would be available only during the same week — that between the end of their pre-season competition and the start of their premiership.

“Sydney clubs are not interested in end-of-season; games,” Mr Clarke said. i “They all go to places like Hawaii or Bangkok for holidays and to forget football. Both clubs would use the game as a last trial for their top side.”

The board has several weeks to decide which club to invite. Western Suburbs is leading the Sydney competition, but for very good, and also sentimental, reasons Newtown would be a great attraction. Bill Noonan, the former Canterbury and New Zealand forward, is playing the last of his 11 seasons in Sydney and would almost i certainly be prepared to make his final appearance at his old home ground. Newtown also has the seasoned Australian scrum-half, Tom Raudonikis.