Eastern seeks to retain title

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 7

Eastern seeks to retain title

Although the revised format of the Canterbury Rugby League’s Grand Final Day on Sunday places all Of the top 10 Clubs on show, centre stage must inevitably be taken by Eastern Suburbs and Sydenham when they dispute the N.Z.I.G. club championship. In recent seasons EaStern (formerly Christchurch, and the winner Of the 1948 title under that name) has enjoyed its most prosperous period. It interrupted Papanui’s domination of the 197015 with a most spectacular victory in 1975, was the ruhner-up in each of the next two years and beat Maris t-Western Suburbs convincingly last September. Sonny Rolleston, in his first term as Eastern’s coach, was understandably anxious as to how hte team would fare, especially because Of the transfers of his predecessor, Grant Findlay, and most experienced front-row forward, Alan Rushton.

Eastern began its campaign in disappointing fashion by losing to Sydenham in its first appearance in the QantasRadio Avon knock-out tournament, but hinted of better things to come when it drew with Marist in its premiership debut. In tne next 10 rounds it dropped only three competition pointe, from a defeat by Papanui and another draw with Marist. One-point reverses against Papanui and Sydenham then cost it the chance of an outright victory in the premiership and it had to be content to share the Massetti Cup with Marist. Prospects were a little gloomy for Eastern on the eve of its major semi-final against Marist. Its Welsh professional utility back, Gordon Pritchard, had returned to Huddersfield, and injuries cost it the services of Jim Churcher, Barry Edkins and John McGuiness. But their replacements were more than adequate and Eastern

advanced to the grand final with an 11-5 win. Edkins faces a difficult decision whether to make himself available. To play would risk aggravating the broken thumb which has kept liim on the sidelines for a month; not to play would leave Eastern without its forward leader and Edkins short of match practice before the New Zealand trial in Auckland next week.

The Eastern pack functioned particularly well in very wet conditions in the major semi-final, with the long-striding prop, Gerard Stokes, particularly outstanding against his old club. Stokes seems to have benefited from a temporary retirement, to the extent that lie earned Canterbury honours this winter and made a marked impression on Pritchard. His fellow front-rowers.

John McCue and Dick Ngataki, are active toilers around the play-the-balls. McCue is seldom bested in hooking duels, arid Ngataki is an eager runner of

the ball from tight situations.

The formation of the back three will depend On whether Edkins is included. Derek McLaugh-

lan, remarkably similar to Edkins- in appearance and work-rate on the field, is another who has been troubled by injury. He has few peers au a cover-de-fender and has developed his attacking skills to a high level. Kevin Placid, who has shared the goal-kicking duties with Edkins and Kevin Steel, the very promising Danny Carson and the seasoned Bruce Turner all shared in Eastern’s semi-final defeat of Marist.

The back-line has been a more established unit, with Trevor Philpott having . assumed Pritchard’s role at full-back. Eastern was not only the most prolific-scoring side throughout the premiership, out it also had the most impressive defensive record. Kevin Steel, also very

capable at full-back and centre, and Ben Huriwai are both strong-running wings, while the Murphy brothers, Bruce and Kevin, bring an excellent understanding to their centre S partnership .Bruce hy*s try against t was only his* second of the club season, but he has often been a commanding figure in midfield. Inside them are the contrasting figures of Peter Klink and the captain, Murray French. Klink, from.. Papua-New Guinea and only 19 years of age, has adjusted so well to New Zealand conditions that he represented South Island earlier this month.. The consistent French has been instrumental in coordinating all of Eastern’s various talents into a formidable combination.