Central throws away chances against S.I.

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 18

Central throws away chances against S.I.

Special correspondent First-half defensive blunders should have cost the South Island its 18-10 rugby league victory over Central Districts on Saturday in Wellington in the final round of the inter-districts championship. At least five times Central had marvellous chances of scoring tries after long breaks but on four of them shoddy handling

and passing or over-anxious-ness brought faulty finishing.. The fifth opportunity might be blamed on the referee. Sir Bob Cooper, af Waikato, who was a long way from the play when Central’s centre, John Whittaker, appeared to dive on the loose ball over the South try-line well clear of a defender. Instead, Mr Cooper, .at least 30 metres from the action, ruled a five-metre scrum. Central’s stand-off, Nolan Tupaea, missed a handy penalty attempt after seven minutes, and by half-time the South enjoyed a flattering 5-0 lead.

Apart from isolated individual brilliance from Tupaea, Whittaker,’the captain. Graeme West, and a loose forward. Mike Butler, the South still looked better co-ordinated. This was the most telling factor in the third quarter when South was able to gain a match-winning 13-3 lead. South’s props. Mark Broadhurst and Alan Rushton, set up opportunities for the like of the second-rower, Ray Baxendale, and the scrum-half. Gordon Smith, who was named player of the match.

Further out. South’s backs were not so convincing in a game that never lived tin to pre-match expectations. Little Smith shone with his tackling and burrowing runs blit sometimes he was guilty of dying with the ball. -The centre, Peter Klink, had

his moments on attack, and his corner try in the fifty-ninth minute made the' game safe for South. The full-back. Michael O’Donnell, was sometimes unconvincing on defence but made useful bursts on attack.

The biggest disappointment was probably South s captain, Tony Coll, who was little more than a solid defender. Too often his play was sluggish. Central’s scrum-half. Jack Knuckey. was tireless but he could not match the attacking skill of Tupaea. whose acceleration made him the most dangerous player on the field. In the forty-fourth minute Tupaea made an incredible circular run near the South line, which brought him a try with hardly a hand laid on im. The late replacement, Ware Henry, was one of the better Central forwards. West was handicapped after a first-half leg injury, and the prop. Paul Te Arlki. worked diligently. The hooking duel was highly interesting. South’s Paul Truscott shading the Kiwi rake. Howie Tamati, 13-12. Central, though, was a clearcut winner of the penalty count, 14-4. For the South Island: Peter Klink, Bernie Green. Paul Truscott, Kevin Franklin tries; Mike O’Donnell two conversions, penalty. For Central Districts: Nolan, Tupaea, Graeme West, tries; Tunaea penalty, conversion. Half-time, South 5-0. ■”