Rugby League Another lop-sided win to Eastern

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 15

Rugby League Another lop-sided win to Eastern

The accomplished Hertz-East-ern combination continues to make lop-sided contests of the main rugby league matches at the Show Grounds. Its victim on Saturday was Hornby, and the 25-4 scoreline testified to Eastern's dominance.

Although Kaiapoi still shares co-leadership of the N.Z.I.G. Canterbury premiership. Eastern now needs only a draw against Sydenham next week-end — when Kaiapoi has the bye - to gain possession of the Tavendale Cup as the top team in the first full round.

For the uncommitted spectator there was again more excitement in the curtain-raiser. Sydenham has staged some remarkable mid-match revivals this season, but on Saturday it showed that it is also capable of collapsing just as dramatically. Sydenham, within the opening 30 minutes, accumulated 12 points against Kaiapoi. That was to be its lot. and Kaiapoi drew level within a short time of the resumption before racing away to win. 25-12.

The other premier fixtures were played at suburban venues, with the home clubs experiencing contrasting results. Addington joined Hornby in equal third place by beating’ Halsweil, 31-2, at Addington Park, and Linwood ended its losing sequence at Papanui Domain with a 9-3 vic-

tory against Papanui. Conditions were perfect for attractive football, yet forwards claimed most of the limelight. Wayne Jeffs scored three tries for Eastern and his team-mate. Dick Ngataki. was chosen as

"man of the match." while the Kaiapoi loose forward. Tony Stanley, was the recipient of the award in the early match. Results.— Eastern 25, Hornby’ 4. Kaiapoi 25, Sydenham 12. Addington 31, Halsweil 2. Linwood 9, Papanui 3. Marist-Western bye. PREMIERSHIP POINTS

NGATAKI LEADS THE WAY There were ominous signs for Hornby when the big, mobile Eastern prop. Dick Ngataki. surged on to a pass and over the try-line in just the fourth minute of the main game. Ngataki was to keep up his pace, frequently forcing gaps in Hornby's defensive screen and releasing possession to his eager supports.

That Hornby stayed in contention during the opening quarter was largely Eastern's own fault. There was a strange lack of discipline in some of Eastern's tackling tactics, and John.McCue was fortunate that he did not share a period in the sin-bin with Wavne Jeffs.

Hornby received nine consecutive nenalties. and Bruce Cooper kicked two of his three opportunities in this periods.

However, once Eastern settled to its task it proved Hornbv’s defensive formation to be suspect close to its line. The Hornbv players failed to impede the progress of the ball, and all five of Eastern's tries were the product of forwards drawing their opponents and releasing possession to loosely marked team-mates who were backing up at pace. Jeffs was especially effective in such plovs. and was rewarded with three tries. KAIAPOI RECOVERS Kaiapoi’s cause was bleak indeed wben Sydenham accumulated the first two tries and three goals of the curtain-raiser. But a fine try by the Kaiapoi full-back, Steve Dickson, signalled a transition that was to remain until Paul Whakatihi claimed Kaiapoi’s fifth, and most spectacular, try in the final minute.

The manner in which Sydenham built its apparently winning lead was quite impressive. Gary Burns was striking swiftly in the scrums, David Field was masterminding the attacks with astute distribution, sharp running or accurate tactical kicking, and Kaiapoi was forced very much on to the back foot.

Paul Vili’s two tries for Sydenham were a contrast. The’ first was the product of strength from the dummy-half position. He then showed that he has speed, too, in finishing off a break by Field’ with a sprint of about 40 metres. But Kaiapoi’s comeback, started by Dickson (from a sweetly timed pass by Charlie Smith) was interrupted only by the interval. Richard Hampton was across soon afterwards, the totals were tied by Dickson’s

goal kicking, and then an injuryimpeded Glen Turton accepted an inside pass to put Kaiapoi ahead. At 12-15 Sydenham briefly swept back. 'Dickson courageously tackled a rampaging Vili, and Field all but escaped the cover on two occasions. Those threats repulsed, it was Kaiapoi’s turn to stream back upfield: Tonv Stanley left his rivals behind in scoring from a kick-and-chase manoeuvre, and Whakatihi raced 60 metres to touch down after Wavne Stanley had pounced on a loose ball. During the last hour the Kaiapoi forwards were at their most effective. Danny Millward and Gary Kitson provided the power up front, and Russell Tuuta and Tony Stanley ranged up alongside of them to keep the momentum going. The over-all superiority was reflected by Dwayne Little winning 10 of the 15 scrums in the second half. ADDINGTON’S ADVANCE Addington kept well in contention for a championship top-four position wben it had much the better of its game against Halswell at Addington Park. Halsweil benefited from an early penalty to Phil Prescott, only to concede seven tries as Addington assumed command. The Addington forward, John Tapiata. had a match to re--1 member. He finished with a try and five goals, was largely responsible for the first of Rick Oderings two tries, and was chosen as “player of the day." He had enthusiastic assistance from Laurence Hale and Kevin Williams in the forwards, while Billy Parker had another busy and successful game at scrumhalf. and Odering provided plenty of evidence of his attacking skills. Halsweil defended stoutly for the opening quarter, but could do little to counter Addington from that point. It was 16 points behind at the break, in spite of diligent work, by Prescott. Ron Williamson, and Darryl Hawker. LINWOOD'S "AWAY" WIN Not too long ago it would have been surprising for Linwood and Papanui not to have been granted “main game" stems, let alone suffer the indignation of being banished to the suburbs. But those clubs have not enjoyed much success this season, and Papanui Domain was their Siberia on a cold afternoon on Saturday.

At least the Linwood coningent was warmed by a winting result. Papanui could not capitalise on its home ground idvantage, even though it made he first mark on the game after 19 minutes when Bryce Nicholson touched down after Jeff Smith’s timely entrance into the back-line.

The remainder of the scoring was in Linwood's favour. It drew level quite quickly, thanks to its inside back, Martin Belcher. Linwood should have been ahead at the interval, but for David Perkins attempting to reach the try-line — he was penalised for a double movement — instead of linking with his supports.

P W L F A Pt Eastern 6 1 155 64 12 Kaiapoi 8 6 2 128 95 12 Hornby 7 5 2 142 94 10 Addington 7 5 2 113 79 10 Papanui Sydenham 7 7 3 3 4 4 114 107 126 149 6 6 Linwood 7 2 5 90 108 4 Marist 2 5 67 112 4 Haiswell 7 0 7 52 151 0