Resolute Britain too strong for Kiwis in series clincher

Press, 17 November 1980, Page 40

Resolute Britain too strong for Kiwis in series clincher

NZPA Leeds New Zealand’s hopes of winning the rugby league test series foundered in the rain at Leeds early yesterday morning (New Zealand time) when it lost, 2-10, to Great Britain.

The tourists had to be satisfied with a share of the spoils after drawing the opening test at Wigan and winning the second at Bradford a fortnight ago. A win would have left them unbeaten in the series — an achievement no previous Kiwi team has managed in Great Britain. But the reshaped British side proved too strong, especially in finishing, and won on merit to square the series after it had displayed a resolute defence against the Kiwis and hit back in the final quarter for the two decisive tries. Des Drummond, the Jamaican-born British wing, | and product of Lancashire ; junior football, caught the New Zealand defence off ’ guard with his quickness off 1 the mark and speed in finishing to ruin the Kiwis’ 1 hopes with two tries in the 1 space of eight minutes. Several Kiwis were caught flat-footed when Drummond 1 changed the point of attack and dived in at the comer after 62 minutes. Before they could recover, his blis- ; tering finishing speed had breached their rear guard ’ again to dash all ideas of an unbeaten record. In some respects though, 1 the Kiwis had only themselves to blame, for their failure to produce an even i moderate kicking marksman proved vital. They missed a total of i five shots at goal when the ' issue was in the balance, i with the half-back, Gordon i Smith, missing two attempts and Barry Edkins also out of luck with three other goal i kicks.

But there could be little blame attached to the New Zealand forwards who tackled with grim determination when Britain tried to use pace and then power to take the initiative. Kevin Tamati and Mark Broadhurst proved strong prop forwards and the loose forward, Mark Graham, was an inspiring captain in all phases. Behind the scrum though they could make little effective play with the stand-off Fred Ah Kuoi, nominated the tour man-of-the-series, well held by a keen cover The centre, Bruce Dickison, went closest to a try wher he just failed to collect a pin-pointed cross-kick when the British defence was ir trouble late in the match. ■ It was raining at the star! when the tourists were under pressure from the British forwards, Steve Norton, Mick Adams and Paul Gorley, but Tamati, Graeme West and Graham answerer the challenge with equally determined tackling. And when Arnie Walker hoisted

a kick to their line, the Kiwi full-back, Mike O’Donnell, was dependable in defence to gather the ball in the face of forward pressure. The Kiwis fought their way clear through Ah Kuoi and Tamati and when the half-back, Walker, was penalised at a scrum for illegal feeding, Smith missed a giltedged chance to put his side in front. From only 20 metres in from the home posts he pullea his shot wide of the mark. Immediately on the restart Tamati and Len Casey, the British captain, were involved in a mid-field set-to and teammates were needed to part the pair before the referee Mr Billy Thompson, arrived to hand out a cooldown warning. At the next scrum there was a further exchange of punches among the forwards 'and the result was another shot at goal for the Kiwis. Edkins was off target this time and as there continued to be a fair amount of needle in the tackle Mr Thompson showed all his patience with the ultra-keen contestants. When Auckland’s Gary Prohm dropped the greasy ball under pressure from the British wing, John Atkinson, the tourists slipped in front of their own posts. ’ Smith was penalised for not retiring at the scrum and with 19 minutes gone, Burke landed a penalty from close in, to' open the scoring. Graham and West spearheaded the Kiwi response in determined manner and after 27 minutes they forced equality on the scoreboard.

Smith put over a penalty from close in to make it 2-2. The rain seemed to be easing but there was no let-up by the forwards as they fought a fierce and determined battle for the upper hand. Burke produced a try-sav-ing tackle after 33 minutes when Dane O’Hara got away on the left and threatened to collect the first try before the British full-back came to the rescue. The Kiwis found John Woods and Steve Evans a big threat when Britain raided again just before the break, but as always in this defence-dominated half, the tackling was safe and sound. The teams went to the dressing rooms at the interval at 2-2 and everything to play for in the second period. Four minutes into the second half the British captain, Casey, was penalised for a late and high tackle on the attacking star, Ah Kuoi, but Edkins fired wide when there should have been no

mistake with the simple goal kick. A third goal miss by Edkins was the nearest the Kiwis came to taking the lead during a speall of sustained pressure then Prohm was tackled from behind by Evans as the New Zealand utility chased a kick towards the British line, but Smith was narrowly astray with yet another goal attempt. A forward flurry from Broadhurst, Tamati and Graham looked menacing but when Britain changed the point of attack Tamati obstructed Drummond and the way was paved for the first try after 62 minutes. The Kiwis were caught off guard when Drummond went in at the comer diving triumphantly to beat the cover. Burke goaled from touch after the ball had struck the crossbar and bounced over. And at 2-7 down the Kiwis were in trouble. Dickison almost scored a try in their immediate response but instead Britain tightened its hold when with ten minutes remaining Drummond’s speed caught the defence out again after John Joyner and Norton had set up the scoring chance. Howard Tamati took over up front from Rushton in the closing minutes but the tourists had missed their way and could have few complaints in defeat in front of a crowd of 8000. Scorers: New Zealand: Gordon Smith a penalty.

Britain: Des Drummond 2 tries. Mick Burke penalty and conversion.