Huriwai gets four tries to shatter Sydenham

Press, 1 September 1980, Page 38

Huriwai gets four tries to shatter Sydenham

By

JOHN COFFEY

Ben Huriwai displayed all the finishing qualities expected of a skilled wing when scoring a record four tries as Eastern Suburbs routed Sydenham, 25-3, in the Canterbury N.Z.I.G. rugby league championship grand final yesterday.

Only Leo Brown (Papanui), in 1971, had previously scored as many as three tries in a grand final, but Huriwai used his sustained pace and power to leave that mark, and the Sydenham cover, in his wake. His first try was thoroughly orthodox, Murray French and Barry Edkins conspiring to create an overlap on the left flank. Later, John McCue and Peter Klink put Huriwai into the clear in an 80m movement which gave Eastern- a 14-0 lead at the interval.

In the final lOmin, Hu? rlwai ensured Eastern of a big winning margin by breaking, through some tentative tackles to gain his third try. He then skirted round the remnants of the

Sydenham defence and sprinted 70m to establish his record.

However, apart from Huriwai’s individual feat and Eastern’s fine team effort, this was the most- disappointing of all 14 grand finals that have been played. It was not the most decisive margin — Eastern humbled Papanui, 27-2, in 1975 — but the outcome was only too evident in the opening quarter.

Eastern was 11 points in front within 20min of the start, and . all atmosphere had been drained. Even Eastern’s supporters among the 4000 spectators (the gate receipts would have created another record) probably found it hard to raise a cheer once the inevitable re-

suit had been established, . The -jaothering nature of Eastern’s tackling cancelled out Sydenham’s early scrummaging domination, and Sydenham suffered a severe blow when its thrustful sec-ond-rower, Tai Mene, was forced to retire because of injury. Bruce Dickison, the Sydenham captain-coach, sought to liven up his side’s manoeuvres by moving to the pack, ’ but, as well as Dickison performed personally, there was little he could do once the balance had swung so much towards Eastern. True, Sydenham showed renewed spirit immediately after the resumption, though, sadly, it was too little and much too late.

At no stage did the Sydenham forwards function as. well as . their Eastern counterparts.. The powerful Eastern props, Dick Ngataki and Gerard Stokes, and the hooker, McCue, were allowed to run many metres from the play-the-balls before being confronted by opponents, giving them the leeway to bring the faster men, Kevin Placid, Derek McLaughlan, and Edkins into the action.

With Eastern enjoying such freedom — at times it appeared as if Dickison was waging a lone battle trying to stop movements developing — it was a simple matter for the backs to capitalise on their advantages. Huriwai, in particular, prospered. So, too, did the Murphy brothers, Bruce arid Kevin, in the centres, and both handled the ball twice in the lead-up work to Kevin Murphy’s try. There

was to be no respite for Sydenham after Bruce Murphy had been hurt, as Edkins shifted to stand-off and Klink cut all sorts of PapuaNew Guinean capers in midfield.

Less . spectacular efforts were seen’ from Murray French, Kevin Steel, and Trevor Philpott, although none of them -were ever anything but efficient in their duties.

Sydenham’s memorable moments' were well spaced. Dickison was again in a class of his own, and the others to catch the eye were the full-back, Blair Gorkran; a most aggressive type, and the long-striding centre, David Vincent.

However, Sydenham invariably spoiled its better opportunities by frittering away possession when deep inside Eastern’s territory. Its error rate was that of a team that had been given just one mountain too many to climb.

More disappointing than the lack of competitiveriss in the game was the under* current of ill-feeling between some of the participants. One or two scuffles comparatively early were compounded later when McCue was sent to the sin-bin and the rival scrum-halves, French and Karesga Liaina, were cautioned for fighting. Details.—

Eastern 25 (Huriwai four, Placid, Kevin Murphy, Klink tries; Edkins two goals) beat Sydenham 3 (Blair Corkran try). Half-time, 14-0. Scrums, Sydenham, 18-16. Penalties, Sydenham, 10-4. Kicking, Edkins two from seven; Corkran none from one. Refer-? ee, Mr Don Wilson.