Southern team romps home

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 32

Southern team romps home

PA Blenheim Southern Maori achieved its biggest winning margin in the annual Prince of Wales Cup rugby match yesterday when it beat Northern Maori, 32-12, at Blenheim. Playing with a. strong nor’wester in the first spell, Southern produced copybook rugby to lead, 22-0, at half-time. The expected Northern revival with the wind in the second half did not happen until the last five minutes, when two converted tries salvaged some respectability.

Southern’s star was the first five-eights, Tu Wyllie, who initiated five of his team’s tries with sharp runs through gaps, and perfectly timed passes. His covering and kicking also pulled his team out of some tight defensive positions. Inside him, the halfback, Paul Blake, was difficult to contain, while

the outside backs, particularly an 18-year-old wing, Mike Clamp, had too much pace for the opposition.

A surging Southern forward pack enjoyed similar dominance, with the prop, Kevin Boroevich, the flanker, Paul Quinn, and the No. 8, Dale Atkins,’outstanding.

Northern failed to muster the same purpose in the forwards and organisation in the backs. The tall second five-eighths, Lehi Hohaia, was the most impressive back, while the prop, Paul Koteka, and the captain, Mac McCallion, at No. 8, were the pick of the pack. The match was played in sunny weather on a hard ground. Scorers: Southern: Mike Clamp (3), Shane Gibbons : (2), Vic. Simpson tries; i Rob McCarthy four con- ; versions. Northern: Lehi Hohaia, Paul Koteka tries; ' Richard Dunn, two conversions.