Clean sweep for Comb. Services

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 18

Clean sweep for Comb. Services

PA Blenheim The Combined Services rugby team completed a 4-0 clean sweep of the Seddon Shield unions when it beat Marlborough, 29-19, at Blendheim on Saturday. Ahead only 13-7 at half time after playing with a strong nor’ wester, Services seemed to have a major battle ahead to force a win. But the Marlborough forwards lost their control of the first half when they turned to play with the wind in the second. After both sides had added only six points in 35 minutes of fairly scrappy play, Services scored two tries from half-way in the space of a minute to put the result beyond doubt. A final try to Marlborough came only as a consolation. The Services back-line looked a first-class combination, with half-back,

Jamie Hohapata, and the first five-eighths, Len Snee. and the full-back, Richard Wixon, particularly good. The second five-eighths, Simon Brown, • made some brilliant breaks and the Marlborough airman, John Woodhouse, had a fine game on the wing against his own union.

The flanker, Reynold Slade, was a quick marauder for Services, while the lock, Les Pearce, and the prop, Rua Koha, played well in the tight. The lock, Dave Hammond, was Marlborough’s best player, and Kevin Price did well under pressure at fullback.

Services 29 (J. Woodhouse 2, S. Brown, D. Shelford, L. Pearce, tries; R. Wixon a penalty and three conversions) beat Marlborough 19 (D. Neal 2 tries, S. Marfell 3 penalties and a conversion).