Eastern wins easily

Press, 30 April 1981, Page 6

Eastern wins easily

That Eastern Suburbs will again be a formidable contender for Canterbury rugby league premiership honours was abundantly clear when it easily beat Papanui, 30-11, at the Show Grounds last evening. Both teams had a decidedly youthful appearance — four players from each side were members of Canterbury’s national champion schoolboy side just five years ago — but the Eastern newcomers adjusted much more readily to the top grade. Greg Hamburger fitted so easily into the otherwise seasoned Eastern pack that he claimed the first two tries, while John Stanbury proved a most effective attacker from full-back. Tries in quick succession by this pair enabled Eastern to come from behind and skip to a. 15-6 half-time lead.

Sadly, Papanui’s only positive asset was the goalkicking of its captain-coach, Eddie Kerrigan, who was accurate with all four attempts.

In the curtain-raiser Sydenham became the first club to have a second victory in ' the premiership, but it was not until the final minute that it was safely out of

range of Halswell. Sydenham had goal-kicking problems and, in spite of scoring six tries to two, won by only 2418.

A penalty try when a Sydenham defender obstructed the Halswell wing, Jeff Atkinson, placed Halswell ahead, 9-8, at the interval, and it was again in front, 18-16, with 10 minutes ieft Sydenham, ’ however, struck back with two tries in the closing 'stages. The “man of the match’* awards were won by Mike Smith (Sydenham) and Stanbury. Details:—

Eastern 30 (G. Hamburger two, J. Stanbury two, B. R. Edkins, G. J. Stokes tries; Edkins six goals) beat Papaaui 11 (A. Stanley try; E. S. ’Kerrigan four goals). Halftime, 15-6. Scrums, Eastern, 21-10. Penalties, Papanui, >l2- (>. Referee, Mr K. R. BlacIder.

Sydenham 24 (M. J. Smith t wo, A. Bergman, B. Williams, L. Hale, P. Vili tries; <l. R. Tapiata three goals) Iteat Halswell 18 (J. Atkinson try, penalty try; M. Yule six goals). Half-time, Halswell, 9-8. Scrums, 8-8. Penalties, Sydenham, 14-11. Referee, Mr W. J. Menzies.