Steve Scott shines

Press, 7 September 1981, Page 34

Steve Scott shines

The choice of half-back for the Canterbury rugby team on Saturday was the hardest task for the selectors. Messrs Gerald Wilson and Neil Cornelius. but Steve Scott fulfilled their highest expectations. In the course of a wonderfully competitive display, the blond Shirley player scored Canterbury's try from a charge-down by his captain. Don Haves, saved a certain Waikato’ try with a severe tackle on the galloping Geoff Hines, and attacked judiciously through snappy retrieving and running. He cleared the ball well despite harassment from the troublesome Miah Melsom, and put bis experienced rival, Doug Phillips, off balance wih some subtle skirmishing. Collectively, Canterbury's forward play was its chief strength, with Hayes and Jock Hobbs being alert in the loose and John Ashworth and Bill Bush forming the cornerstones of a sterling tight effort. Although Canterbury’s scrummaging was not alway convincing, Gwynne Williams secured the game’s only tight head. The young first five-

eighths. Rod Latham, showed coolness and poise in dodging Joe Boe to drop-kick his goal, and his kicking for the line was reliable. But there) was a lack of panache in the Canterbury attacking movements. and Victor Simpson, whose weaving, bobbing runs threatened Waikato's security, was often a forlorn figure on the right wing. Robbie Deans hit the ball well in his narrowly missed goal attempts, and his composure was excellent, considering the din which Waikato supporters made with their cowbells whenever he ran in for his kick. That is the sort of added pressure which every challenger must learn to expect.