Seven tries to Lincoln side

Press, 4 May 1981, Page 21

Seven tries to Lincoln side

Two tries early in the match put Lincoln College firmly in front against Shirley and there it stayed, adding five further tries in the second half to complete a rout of the hapless Shirley. Most of Lincoln's tries were grand efforts but, on the score of individual brilliance., the best one was produced by the second fiveeighths, Craig Green, in onlv the fourth minute. Green broke in midfield after a line-out 30m out and in a swerving, side-stepping run he evaded half a dozen groping defenders to dive over by the posts. He was relatively quiet for the rest of the match, but he continued to demonstrate his class with his covering work, in which he filled the role of a fourth loose forward, and his judicious kicking. It was a cruel twist for the Shirley players to reflect that Green developed his rugby in his younger years with the Shirley club and with the Shirley Boys’ High School first fifteen. Shirley took a drubbing in the line-outs at the hands of Dave White and Albert Anderson, but it was without its two key men, Stuart and Kerry Mitchell. The goal-kicker, Robert Lodge, ws also absent and Shirley’s situation worsened when Steve Scott left the field after only 15 mih. His replacement, Phil Kidd, however, was more than capable and after Alan Lindsay’s fine display last week, the Slurley club can rejoice in the fact that it has great depth in its half-back reserves.

Shirley hardly looked like scoring a try and with Lincoln away to a flying start it was perhaps inevitable that it cracked in the final quarter when Lincoln crossed the line four times.

Mark Mclntosh was a long-strid-ing, dangerous wing for Lincoln and, on the other flank, Geoff McPhail won the player of the day award with a pacy display which netted him two tries.

Don Gillanders had a fine loose forward's game, keeping close to the ball and trapping it for his side. He was rewarded with a try after he charged down a Shirley clearing kick. Until the final quarter. Shirley outrucked Lincoln, its forwards making good use of the fiveeighths’ ploy of keeping the ball close to the pack. The flanker, Steve Tamahera, linked very well with the barrelling first five, Frank Jack but, apart from having a 15-6 penalty advantage, this was the only joy that Shirley had from the match. Leader toppled A dramatic final lOmin packed with sparkling attacks and heroic saves capped a tight, absorbing struggle between Christchurch and University A. Although it applied pressure through the No. 8, Dale Atkins, bursting on the short side or the first five-eighths, Mark Liddicoat, kicking or breaking on the open, University was unable to shake off a persistent Christchurch. After having its nose in front for more than an hour, University succumbed to a remarkable Christchurch revival, which produced two tries and three goals in the final 15min.

Ray Waghorn scored a try after a scything run by Robbie Deans, who kicked the conversion and then knocked over two 40m penalty goals in the space of 4min to give Christchurch a 15-9 lead. University replied with a classic two-pronged attack which yielded a try on the left wing, but Christchurch regained its authority in the final seconds when John Mika peeled off a maul and charged for the unguarded goal-line, and a try. The Christchurch effort was capably directed by Jock Hobbs, whose speed to the loose ball and on cover defence denied University many chances. Mike Cron and Mika were willing workhorses in the tight, and the others yielded little in the rucks and mauls.

A confident Deans supplemented the forward effort by running strongly from full-back, and his kicking was a constant threat to University’s well-being. One ambitious effort from a penalty 60m out just fell under the bar.

.Murray McEwan exercised a fatherly hand on proceedings from his midfield perch, and inside him Graeme Kench displayed considerable promise. He kicked an excellent left-footed dropped goal. Despite earnest contributions by John Edmondson and Tim Lambert, in particular, University was unable to obtain the supremacy it desired up front. Consequently, the back-line did not cut its usual capers, and Hobbs’ determined tackling struck many University moves at their source. Liddicoat handled splendidly and showed keen judgment in the face of this challenge, and Andrew McMaster was reliable under the high ball and counter-attacked with imagination. But for once the University backs were not permitted to dictate the tactics. Lacklustre Apart from a bright flurry midway through the second half, when the only try was scored, Marist’s game against Merivale-Papanui proved to be a scrambling, inconsequential affair. It certainly did not deserve to be the main attraction at rugby headquarters. Both teams were successful at marauding round the fringes, upsetting each other’s chances, ana the game stuttered and stammered from breakdown to breakdown.

Marist was but a shadow of the side which opened its 1981 campaign with strong, cohesive forward play and well orchestrated back attacks, and the absence of Bernie Stewart was felt particularly when kicks at goal were taken. Grant McWhirter missed six and Steve Hansen two.

Merivale-Papanui was no great shakes, either, and the only redeeming feature of its display was the splendidly balanced running on the break by Paul Karena. Unfortunately, there was no-one with the speed or sense of direction to go with him when he bisected the Marist defence.

Vance Stewart was a solid figure in the rucks and line-outs, but was not particularly successful for Marist in his role of caretaker captain. Pat O’Byrne was a strong mauler and Kerry Flood was a flanker with a high tackle rate. The Marist backs were often off balance, although Steve Crotty stood up well to the harrassment

he received at half-back. Garry Hooper showed his ability to seize a fleeting chance when he turned a full-blown Merivale attack into a Marist counter-burst, which finished with a try by Bill Anderson on the opposite wing. That was about the only bright spot of the match, apart from an extraordinary break by Merivale's half-back, Les Roberts, in the final minute. He ran past most of the Marist players, but his little kick at the end was saved. f-

Not all good Both Linwood and Burnside will have to improve vastly if they are to come into contention for the championship. Linwood won quite comfortably on figures, but it was not the sort of game which leaves the spectator with imperishable memories. There was a very earnest and vigorous forward struggle, but there was little flair or finesse among the backs and the main interest came from Burnside’s two revivals. Down 9-3, Burnside was on terms at 9-all at the interval. Late in the game it trailed, 22-9. but a spirited comeback brought nine points before Linwood clinched the game in the last seconds with another converted try. Linwood looked sluggish in midfield, although Rod Latham was a very astute kicker. Burnside also looked slow, and ruined some of its occasional chances with very wild passing. Not all the backs in the match looked like extras suddenly asked to play major roles at the Old Vic. The Bumside full-back, David Farrant, handled and kicked well, and capped a very good performance by scoring his side’s try, through a startling burst of speed and swift change of direction. Scoring all 18 points was a remarkable performance.

Linwood’s left wing, Ned Tamatea, was strong and resourceful, and the full-back, Alec Stewart, was a strong tackler and handled well.

Linwood has some strong and fiery forwards, and there were a few tight-heads to Lester Ronald. Burnside's winning scrums were often upset by Linwood’s strength and ability to turn the scrum. The captain, Ru Koha r set a splendid example with his grafting play, but he was largely responsible for Linwood conceding 24 penalties to Burnside's nine.

“They just would not listen” said a rueful referee, Mike Fitzgibbon, after the game. Mark Bruce at No. 8 had a good game, and Mike Fransen was of great value in the line-out and on the burst. Graham Church played a typically honest game for Burnside, and there was some useful line-out taking by Brent Brown and Phil Fraser. Great escape New Brighton would have been very grateful to have left Ham with the maximum two points against University B. As one ardent New Brighton supporter remarked: "It was a great escape.” Ten minutes from the finish, University B was ahead 6-3 and deservedly so. New Brighton equalised two minutes later and scored the only try of the match to clinch the game in the dying minutes.

The try was a solo effort by its half-back, Graeme Ellis. New Brighton, in one of its few moments on attack, forced a 5m scrum and Wayne Burleigh looked set for a dropped.goal attempt. However, the bail bounced back on the blind-side and Ellis had enough space and pace to dart across in the corner. University B, after its mauling by Lincoln College in a midweek night game, showed no visible scars and came back with a tigerish display. The students did not try any fancy ploys, nor did they run the ball as often as usual. The University B pack found it was at least equal if not superior to the Brighton forwards and it gave the seasiders a torrid time.

The New Brighton loose forward trio, normally so efficient, had more on its plate that it could digest, but one saving grace in the Brighton pack was the hooker, John Froggatt, who captured four tightheads, two of them from scrums) almost on the Brighton goal-line. /

Fletcher Teesdale and Kevin j Truman helped give University B 1 the advantage from line-outs and, Phil Robson was a vigorous prop.. Russell Wilkie was competent at first five-eighths and Peter Burley was strong on attack and in defence. New Brighton seemed disorientated, even disinterested at times, but came back purposefully in the final quarter. The players were relieved to hear the final whistle. No tries That all points came from kicks in the game between High School Old Boys and Suburbs at Lancaster Park South was a fair reflection of the attacking skills of both teams. Most of the back play came from Suburbs and in the first spell the ball was run with enthusiasm, complemented with some good support play from the forwards. Although none of the attacks came to fruition, Suburbs were unlucky to finish the spell on even terms. Old Boys came back into the game in the second spell when the heavier forwards kept their side in the opposing half, but there was little purpose in the side's play. Both sets of backs were prone to cut back, and attacks foundered a conseuuence.

The Did Boys’ forwards best work was done in the tight, with Rob Mclntosh looking the best, while the Suburbs loose trio of George Humm, Barry White and Ray Lawson was quick to the ball and sound on cover defence. Phil Thomas played abb’ behind the scrum fqr Old Boys and Mark Wheeler, running from full-back, gave the back-line some penetration. The Suburbs full-back, Neil McKay, played competently while

Robert Risdon gave his eager backs a good service. Belfast extended From the time when John Rawson loped in near the corner in onlv the second minute of play, it appeared that Belfast would have no trouble in disposing of Albion. But the green-and-golds had to wait until well into the second half before establishing their commanding lead. Albion contributed much to a highly entertaining match and its forwards emerged with great credit. They matched Belfast in the line-outs and won the rucks at a ratio of two to one. often snaffling the ball in the mauls after Belfast players had taken it in. Murray Davie thrilled the crowd with a couple of defence-splitting runs which even Bill Bush could not quite match, and Albion was very close to scoring on three occasions, lacking only the final touches. The difference between the two sides lay in the quality of the back play. Nicky Dierck and Dannv Romani played well for Albion, but the Albion unit could not match Belfast's.

Belfast had Wayne Smith and Kieran Keane in the five-eighths. Smith moving the ball on swiftly

and Keane distributing it to a three-quarter line which often had the full-back, Brian Hunter, coming in at pace. Smith scored a try 7 of his own. angling away on the blindside and completely eluding a defence which was hanging off to cover the pacy, right wing. Mardy Vincent.

Bruce Mayall showed penetration at centre, although Romani had his own back on occasions, and Hunter and Rawson were willing attackers. Jack Oldridge had a good loose forward's game for Belfast and Murray Straight was highly use!" in the losing side's line-out. Trophy shared Sydenham and Hornby will each hold the Carl Fern Memorial Trophy for six months as the result of their drawn match in the inaugural match for the award at Denton Oval. Although there were some notable moments in the game, - both sides were guilty of basic mistakes, especially of handling and tackling. Hornby started off well, gaining an early territorial advantage and playing with more purpose and vigour. Sydenham's tackling was occasionally non-existent and Hornby's No. 8. Ralph Dickson, brushed aside several tackles to

score in the comer, building on tw| John Catchpole goals in the first quarter. But as many senior sides havj discovered. Svdenham does nol want for spirit or determination. I| took the game straight back t 4 Hornby and was two points clear aj half-time, largely through the goo« deeds of Brent Nicoll. who scorH 15 points. In the second half the tempo d the match picked up for r period bolh sides opted for i more opei approach. But as Hornby re-estabt lished the lead through mor# Catchpole goals it adopted a tightei approach. Hornby was given a hugd penalty advantage as Sydenhari appeared over-eager and too oftei got off-side or obstructed. Gavin Fuller scored a late tri for Sydenham to Le the score.

The Sydenham Iwoker, Berni! Ryan, played hard in the tight ant seemed never to stop runnina while the wings, Brett Oetgen ant Grant Brancroft, were elusive. Fol Hornby, the hooker. Gary Cookq and Dickson were the pick of th< pack. Catchpole was sound at first five-eighths but it was the full back. Alan Choat, who stood out giving a faultless cisplay on da fence and making many metre} when on attack.