Magnificent win to Country restores faith in rural rugby

Press, 2 June 1981, Page 34

Magnificent win to Country restores faith in rural rugby

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Faith in rural rugby was restored at Lancaster Park yesteruay when Country regained the Craw Shield from its Town cousin in their annual match and gave a quite magnificent performance in winning, 27-19.

The Country team was completely transformed from that which lost its last two matches. The composition of the team had few changes, but the players were in a different state of mind. Country attacked from the outset, its forwards doing a supreme job, and the backs, uncertain in recent matches, attacking with great determination and showing they had the defensive skills to match. Town, with a virtual Canterbury back-line, was expected to call the tune, but the Country forwards put paid to those expectations with a remarkably sustained effort in the first half. Country did not totally command possession of the ball but it came so close that Town was left with meagre pickings and it was unable to do much with those scraps against a team that was geared to fully meet the support it received from a chanting chorus on the embankment. The Country pack performed so nobly in the first spell that it denied Town even a reasonable percentage of possession. In rucking skills, the Country forwards were masterly and their ear-

nest efforts in the line-outs were sufficient to give them an advantage in that phase. As well, they monopolised scrum ball. Country also produced a trump card in its young fullback, Stewart Boon. Boon had a traumatic start to the match, missing a penalty goal from in front after 15 minutes. He had six more chances after that lapse and never missed. Three of his kicks were from the sideline, another two from 40m out. Ahead 21-3 at half-time, Country seemed in such rampaging mood that a record winning margin appeared likely. But Town did not bow the knee in the second half; its forwards produced a much stronger effort and the backs, given ball to use, displayed enterprise and inventiveness. With four minutes remaining, Randal Scott, a potent force on attack, scored an excellent try for Town and Robbie Deane’s conversion from the side-line closed the gap to 24-19. Two minutes later Boon kicked his third penalty goal to bring his personal tally to 15 and cement Country’s victory. The introduction of Albert Anderson in the second half

gave Town an over-all advantage of 15-14 from lineouts, but Country could afford that concession because it dominated the rucks to the tune of 15-4. John Ashworth was back to his very best for Country and Graeme Higginson shrugged off a bruised thigh to play another outstanding match for his team. But Higginson had an equal in his locking partner, Anthony Dalzell. Dalzell, only 19, was one of several

young players to make great advances on Canterbury Country’s tour to Australia earlier this year. The Kirwee youngster was of considerable benefit to Country at the front of the line-outs and he shirked nothing in the tight. Country also provided the Cellar Ghost “player of the match.” That award went to the experienced John Munro, who had one of his best matches as Country’s halfback. Given splendid protection by his forwards, Munro engineered the play by his backline and twice he darted across for tries from scrums close to the Town line. His second try exposed woeful deficiencies in the Town rearguard defence.

Although beaten by the pace of Randal Scott on one occasion, Boon was a most confident custodian for Country and Ross Saunders covered diligently, saving one try by coming across from the opposite wing to bundle Scott in to touch near the corner flag. Alan Devlin kicked impeccably at first five-eighths and Bruce Dunbar’s spirited bids from second five-eighths had Town’s defence stretched to the limits.

Country was in charge among the forwards and the untiring efforts of its front five was matched by the loose trio of Don Hayes, Ross Loffhagen and John Masefield. The Town inside backs did not have a memorable day, but Vic Simpson, at centre, was incisive, and Scott and Bret Oetgen, on the wings, did their utmost from limited chances. The referee (Mr A. Boag) awarded Town 11 of the 20 penalties. For Country, Munro (2) and Masefield scored tries; Boon converting all three and kicking three penalty goals. . Town’s points came from tries by Meates, Davie and Randal Scott with Deans adding two conversions and a penalty goal.