Mark Liddicoat transfers

Press, 2 December 1981, Page 48

Mark Liddicoat transfers

The difficulties school teachers face in finding positions next year has already cost Canterbury one of its most. promising rugby players. . Mark Liddicoat, who although he did not rise above Canterbury B last winter is widely regarded as one of the country’s best young fiveeighths, has accepted a teaching position at Palmerston North Boys’ High School. He should pose a strong

challenge to Doug Rollerson as the Manawatu first fiveeighths. Canterbury also faces another big loss. Gary Barkle, from the same University club as Liddicoat, is giving serious thought to transferring to Hamilton and with the Waikato half-back, Doug Phillips, well into the veteran class Barkle would, no doubt, be a major acquisition. Barkle, who this year has

added a commerce degree to the law degree he gained last year, is undecided about his working future, although if he pursues his present line of short-term thinking he could become one of New Zealand’s best educated truck drivers. If Barkle does move north it will end a tight four-year contest he has had with Steve Scott for a lasting place behind the'Canterbury scrum.