Marlborough holds shield

Press, 21 July 1980, Page 30

Marlborough holds shield

Marlborough retained the Seddon Shield by beating Buller, 16-12, at Blenheim on Saturday. Marlborough was fortunate to withstand a spirited challenge as a series of basic errors and dismal handling by the home team gave little satisfaction to its supporters. The former All Black, Brian Ford, was in cracking form. He looked for work throughout and his pace and penetration brought a first-class sec-ond-half try. Buller’s man of the match was the fullback, Paul Bonisch. He kicked four penalty goals

and gave a faultless display of positional play and handling. Marlborough’s other points came from a-try by Steve Marfell and a penalty and a conversion by Peter Hilliard. Buller players to impress were the No. 8, Piet Groot, and the half-back, John Gilbert Alan Ireland played a useful game at first fiveeighths. For Marlborough, the Maori All Black, Jim Love, had a fine game, and Dave Neal and Dave Hammond were both in top form.