Hornby coup in league

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 21

Hornby coup in league

Hornby took a significant step towards reaching the Canterbury rugby leauge championship semifinals when it came from behind three times to beat Eastern Suburbs. 16-14. at the ShowGrounds on Saturday.

Tlie win enabled Hornby to move aiicad of Eastern into a clear fourth position in the NZIG. premiership. Perhaps more important. Hornby proved that it is capable of producing a high standard of football even when deprived of the services of its captain. Alan Hushton. because of international duties.

But if Hornby prospered. Eastern's chances of being able to challenge for a third consecutive championship title suffered a severe setback. It was not able to retain control on anv of the occasions that it led ’ and it eventually suffered its first loss to Hornby since 1978. The outcome of the other matches were predictable. However, any Sydenham supporters who arrived late for their, match would have been astounded to find the competition leader trailing Marist-Western Suburbs by 10 points. Marist's challenge was shortlived. though, and Sydenham eventually enjoyed a ' winning margin of 20 points. Its captaincoach. David Field, contributed three tries.

Lewis Hudson also scored three tries, for Linwood against Kaiapoi. in a one-sided game. Hudson made a notable return from injury in a Linwood backline that was too fast and skilled for its opponent. The Williams brothers. Kevin and Michael, were the first scorers for their respective sides. Halswell and Papanui. in the curtain-raiser on the oval. Michael Williams was to have fonder memories of the match as Papanui drew away to win comfortably in the.closing stages. Forwards shared the “man of the match" awards. Two props. Hex Dalzell (Linwood) and John De Goldi (Papanui). were the. recipients in the early fixtures, and the loose forwards. Mike Smith (Sydenham) and Wayne Wallace (Hornby), were the choices in the later matches. Sydenham now needs only a draw from its encounter with Addington next Saturday to gain possession of the Tavcndale Cup and to lead the premiership at the completion of the first full round. Results: Hornby 16. Eastern Suburbs 14. Sydenham 36. Marist-Western 16. Papanui 24. Halswell 12. Linwood 51. Kaiapoi 2. Addington a bye.

. TEST OF CHARACTER Hornby emerged from its match with Eastern Suburbs with credit. Not only did it upset a generally more, favoured opponent but it did so in a manner which suggested that it is quickly becoming a force in premier football. There was a distinct possibility that Hornby would fade as Eastern three times nudged its

way into a narrow lead But Hornby's resolve did not diminish and the players showed maturity and talent in keeping the score at 16-14 for the last 26 minutes.

The Hornby challenge was spearheaded by its ioose forward. Wayne Wallace, who was mainly responsible for Hornby's first two tries. ■ The slightly built Hornby fullback Wilkie, also had an outstanding game. His second try was spectacular, the product of initiative and nimble foot-work. TEMPORARY GLORY Marist-Western Suburbs occupies a modest position on the premiership table and its chances of beating Sydenham were minimal in the absence of its Kiwis. Michael O'Donnell and Ray Baxendale. Yet Marist began with such purpose that it led by 10 points early in the game. Peter Baughan. who was injured soon afterwards, displayed unexpected pace and deception for a hooker in running 50 metres for the first try. and John MacGougan broke clear, chipped a short kick ahead, and regathered to touch down. Those reverses shook Sydenham's confidence for a while but its captain-coach. David Field, soon had his players moving upfield with ever increasing force. Marist's defence was battered and finally broken. Once Sydenham wrested the ascendancy it never relaxed its hold. There was a brief revival from Marist which was then down by three points, after the resumption before Field put Sydenham back on its winning course with the first of his three tries. PAPANUI PROSPERS Papanui was seldom at risk of losing the curtain-raiser against Halswell on the oval. However, it was not until Bryce Nicholson scored two tries in the last seven minutes that the premiership points were in safe keeping. Not long before Nicholson's valuable contributions, Halswell had drawn up to 12-18 when David Baxter crossed for the try which reaped a positive reward for a long and sustained period of attack. The forceful running of the Papanui second-row forwards. John Cole and Colin Archer, had given their team the initiative, both forwards benefiting from the strong lead-up work of the prop. John De Goldi. who drew defenders to him and still gave possession to his supporters. ONE-SIDED ENCOUNTER From the first time that Steve Wcrnham touched down for Linwood’s first try, his team was always on target to reach a halfcentury against a hapless Kaiapoi combination. The margin would have been even greater had David Perkins managed to convert more than five of the 13 tries and had a fourth try by Lewis Hudson not been ruled out by the referee, Mr Tonv Drake.

The mobile Linwood prop. Rex Dalzell, and Paul Truscott created many opportunites for their loose forwards and backs. With Lewis Hudson making a memorable come-back and Paul McCone running freely and with effect from stand-off half. Kaiapoi was soon left well behind.

PREMIERSHIP POINTS Pt 14 I. P W 7 7 L) II I. F A 0167101 Lin. 7 6 1) 1 184 77 12 Add I) 2150 83 10 Hum. 7 4 (1 3102131 8 East 7 3 <1 4 126 91 6 Pap 8 2 1 5139150 5 Hals' 7 2 1 4W99146 □ M W.S. 7 1 1 5 98152Kai. 7 (1 1 6 50193 1