Perkins stars in Sorth’s victory

Press, 27 July 1981, Page 30

Perkins stars in Sorth’s victory

From

OHN COFFEY,

Greymouth The young Linwood centre, David Perkins, enjoyed his second remarkable rugby league debut of the season when he scored all of South Island’s points in its 18-11 defeat of Central Districts at Wingham Park, Greymouth, yesterday. Perkins, who had accumulated 22 points in his first game for Canterbury early last month, almost repeated that extraordinary feat with two tries and six goals to severely dent Central's hopes of retaining its Tooth Cup status. Although Central was ahead twice and gained three of the five tries in the match, it seldom appeared a winning prospect in the second

spell. Perkins ignored the muddy playing field and heavy ball to fail only with the longest of his seven goalkicking opportunities. Both of Perkins's tries were the product of quick and confident passing by his forwards and inside backs, but the second was also notable for the strength that he displayed in shrugging off the attentions of Central's cover-defence. Two of Perkins’s goals were conversions from near the side-lines, and another was from 35 metres. It was logical that Perkins should be chosen as South’s “Man of the Match.” Considerable credit for the victory, though, must be shared by his team-mates, who not only adapted particularly well to the difficult conditions but

also kept their confidence and composure in the face of adversity. The injuries which forced Wayne Dwyer and Chris Menzies from the field in the first 25 minutes might have severely disrupted South’s combination had their replacements, John Griffin and Martin Bennett, not performed so effectively. Positional changes forced a rearrangement to the South pack. Griffin, a specialist hooker, moulded in with ease as the blind-side prop and Ray Baxendale reverted smoothly to the second-row. Baxendale still managed to carry out the front-rower’s duties of assisting Terry Gillman in surging up-field from the plav-the-

balls, neither of them being deterred by facial injuries. Michael O’Donnell slipped easily back into the stand-off half role that he so often filled as a youngster. His running and distribution were positive, allowing Perkins and Bernard Green frequent chances to make valuable territorial gains, while Bennett was firm at the tackle and eager to join any promising attacks. The liveliness of Wally Wilson in supporting his forwards, Paul Truscott’s 13-8 hooking superiority in the scrums, and the quickness of Barry Edkins and Wayne Wallace in covering and swooping on loose possession were other assets vital to South's win. Central was very much in

contention when it led, 8-7, at the interval. Dick Uluave, whose flair was hardly reduced by the mud, and Graeme West had eluded the generally firm South defence, while the prop, Peter Mellars, earned his side’s “Man of the Match” prize with a whole-hearted effort. John Whittaker, still one of the slickest passers of the ball in rugby league, was always a threat to South and it is pertinent that he was biding his time in the sin-bin when Perkins claimed his second try to open South’s margin to 14-8. The South forwards had to maintain a high work-rate to contain the activities of Kevin Tamati, who was responsible for several impres- • 4

sive Central forward rushes. In spite of the rain and mud Tamati was very happy to be in Greymouth — he had been one of the last persons to leave the Christchurch airport toilet before the bomb explosion on Saturday afternoon. South’s success keeps it in contention to participate in the 1982 Tooth Cup tournament. If Central can upset Auckland, at New Plymouth next Saturday, South would require a victory by about 10 points over Northern Districts at Christchurch on August 8 to finish ahead on a count-back Scorers.— South: D. A. Perkins two tries and six goals. Central: G. L. West, D. Uluave. S. Stewart, tries; K. R. Tamati a goal.