SYDENHAM HAS HAD A LONG WAIT

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 7

SYDENHAM HAS HAD A LONG WAIT

Sydenham has not always been in the rugby league-’ limelight in recent years, but the club has a proud history. It won the first six Canterbury championships (still, a record) and its total of 16 titles (and another when combined wito Rakaia in 1943) is unmatched by any of its rivals. But Svdenham’s last nurple patch was in the mid-19505, and its supporters have waited ?A years for another victory. The closest ’ has con'.., in that time was an 8-5 loss to Papanui in 1978, the only grand final in w ich Sy-

denham has participated since the present championship system was introduced 13 years ago. Such were the contrasting performances by Sydenham for much of the premiership, it seemed that the wait would continue. At one stage it won seven consecutive games, before losing its last three, and it was not until Marist beat Addington in the final round that Sydenham was assured of being in the play-offs. Once given its chance, Sydenham was not prepared to fritter it away. It stuck to its task magnificently to beat Papanui in extra time in the minor semi-final, and displayed even more authority when accounting for Marist in the preliminary final. Sydenham’s style of football is seldom less than attractive, mirroring the positive outlook of. its captain-coach, Bruce Dickison. Tai Mene and Dickison were the leading tryscorers in the premiership and Blair Corkran and Karl Siave have been among the most effective goal-kickers in the grade. The rise of Sydenham has been something of a family affair. Included in its squad are the three Corkran brothers, Blair (aged 21), Kerry (26), and Phil (27), and the Vincents, David (24) and Mark (23). Undoubtedly one of Sydenham’s most potent strengths is the scrumbase combination of Dickisori (loose forward), Karessa Liaina and David Field (in the halves).

Dickison most deservedly earned national recognition ’again this year and Field was quite outstanding in South Island’s victory over Australia. The sturdy. Liaina is an ideal foil between them.

The penetrative running of the forwards, Mene, Paul Vili, Wayne Jeffs and Bob Grant, has frequently proved too much for opposing defences. Alan Campbell, made a successful return to premier football when Kerry Corkran was injured, and Bryan Mustchin worked industriously in the wins over Papanui and Marist.

Addington and Linwood will contest the final of the Gore Cup (bottom four) competition in the curtain-raiser to the grand final. Addington failed very narrowly to qualify for the championship semi-finals,, but was upset by Linwood in the first of. the cup play-offs. Third and fourth positions will be at stake in the game between Marist and Papanui, which have had one win each in their previous meetings this year. Hornby and Kaiapoi are to dispute seventh and eighth, and Halswell is to play the top premier B club, Riccarton, in a pro-motion-relegation evaluation game.

With $2OOO in prize money over the five fixtures, plus a display by the national champion Acme Pioneers marching team, Grand Final Day should indeed be a memorable, climax to the rugby league club programme.