Hurunui loses to Ellesmere

Press, 25 August 1980, Page 20

Hurunui loses to Ellesmere

j-'S : ' Hurunui can be thankful i that the Southbridge Shield was not- at . stake when it was beaten by Ellesmere, 324, in their annual rugby clash at Culverden on Saturday. Ellesmere had already had its shield challenge earl- 1 ier against North Canterbury' before - Hurunui lifted the shield;- . , In Saturday’s game the Ellesmere coach, Ray Fowler, took a rewarding gamble of playing a centre, Don Stewart, as a flanker. Stewart stood out from many of the line-outs, rucks, and mauls, playing as an extra centre with such success, that he had a hand in three of the six tries scored by his side. Hurunui had its problems for this match, with players in the Canterbury side and otherwise not available. Ellesmere dominated the line-outs, with Bruce Farmer showing good form to take good clean ball for his backs. Huruni failed in its tackling, which allowed Ellesmere some easy tries especially when the full back Daryl Campbell cut in to the back line. But Hurunui made some good moves although the Ellesmere defence held. Hurunui worked hard in the scrums to try to match Ellesmere, which took a tighthead or two. The Hurunui cover play lacked fire and purpose in the second spell to let in some easy Ellesmere tries. Hurunui mis-: takes in mauls gave away: penalties too. 1

[, A desperate, concerted ef. [■fort'.by Hurunui in the final ; few minutes forced Elies- ■ mere back and from a series ■ of mauls and rucks Hurunui scored its only points near ' the corner. I Outstanding forwards fo r ■ Ellesmere were Farmer; the i lock, Don Cameron, the prop and captain, and Gavin Henderson, the hooker. Bruce , Dunbar was effective at ’ centre and Keith Jenkins, ■ the first five-eighth, cut wholes in the Hurunui : defence. In the Hurunui forwards, ' Joe Quigley, the prop, did : much hard work. David Hol- > land showed speed off the flank, filling gaps and set- : ting up play. The diligence , of the other flanker, Andy ; Black, resulted in his scoring Hurunui’s only points. . The second five-eighth, ■ Grant Ellis, was ope of the i few Hurunui backs to tackle : hard and well. Brian TwoSe , had another good game at centre, while lan Wilkinson made some penetrating runs : on the right wing and dei served more success. : Ellesmere’s points were . scored by Brian Marby, Bruce Dunbar, Tim Fowler, . Wayne Hegarty, Darvl . Campbell, Ross Saunders (all tries), and Neville Carter ■ (four conversions). Lower-grade matches Colts; 6-alI. Under 18; Ellesmere 16, Hurunui 15, Under 16; Hurunui 34, Ellesimere 0. Under 14; Ellesmere 162, Hurunui 0. , ’