D.C.L. Shield to Shirley

Press, 10 August 1981, Page 30

D.C.L. Shield to Shirley

Shirley, which shared the D.C.L. Shield with New Brighton two years ago, won it outright when it scored all its 18 points in the second half to beat last season’s champion, Merivale-Papanui, 18-13. in the final at Rugby Park.

Against the wind in the first half, Shirley was a little disorganised against a team which used the wind intelligently and which- successfully employed a policy of harassment.

But although Shirley was losing the line-out battle, it was on top in scrums and in rucks to an extent which hinted at a second half revival with the breeze at its back.

Indeed it was the superior scrummaging of Shirley which turned a seven-point deficit at the interval into a five-point victory at the finish.

The power of the Shirley scrum enabled it to push Merivale-Papanui back over its line in the second minute of the second spell and Shirley was awarded a penalty try as Merivale apparently collapsed the scrum in a bid to stop the shove. With five minutes remaining, Shirley scored its second try and the winning points when the pack again backpedalled Merivale-Papanui and Stewart Mitchell, the No.

8, planted his lofty frame over the ball.

Although none of the attempts were too difficult, Robert Lodge helped Shirley’s cause, succeeding with his four kicks at goal with the heavy ball. Merivale-Papanui’s two tries both came from Shirley’s defensive mistakes and Shirley was fortunate not to concede more in, that manner. However, its defence rallied nobly in the last five minutes when Merivale launched a series of attacks. All were thwarted by desperate defence.

Roger Powley and John Harwood were dominant in the line-outs for Merivale, and Paul Karena, outstanding on attack and defence, did his utmost to swing the match in his team's favour. However, the all-round strength of the Shirley forwards, with Stewart Mitchell (the "player of the match”), Roger Smith and Rob Yates in the van, had the final say. Frank Jack and Bradley Stringer kept the Shirley backs going forward with their determined running when in possession. For Shirley: Stewart Mitchell a try; penalty try; Lodge two conversions' and two penalty goals. For Merivale-Papanui: tries by George Poutu and Karena; dropped goal by Don Southey; conversion by Richard Wilson. Referee: Mr M. L. Fitzgibbon.