Clear lead to Chch in senior rugby

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 15

Clear lead to Chch in senior rugby

After an afternoon spent in achieving an unconvincing victory against University B. the bottom team in the senior rugby competition. Christchurch, on Saturday found itself the clear leader in the race for the C.S.B. Cup.

It gained this distinction through the defeat of Linwood. a side which has now lost twice in a row after starting the round-robin competition with seven straight wins.

Linwood's conqueror on Saturday was Shirley, one of four teams now 'level in second place behind Christchurch. New Brighton, the first team to lower Linwood's colours. Linwood itself. and Marist are the other sides with seven wins from nine games.

Christchurch's only loss was to University A. and this talented team is now hitting its hopples after an indifferent start. It is only one point behind the joint holders of second place. For a leading team in a 16-strong competition. Christchurch was anything but convincing in notching its eighth win of the season. It trailed

at half-time and finished with onlv two tries to show against University B's three. This was a serious indictment of Christchurch's attacking strength, even allowing for its rival's shallow defensive pattern in midfield. Coming to the aid of the red and blacks was Canterbury's new "Mr Boot." Robbie Deans. who kicked goals worth 14 points to put his side in front and bring up his personal century of points for the season. His tally now stands at 106 - his total for all of last season was 102. his first senior century — and Christchurch will feel his loss in the next two weeks when he tours with the New Zealand Juniors.

Although all Shirley's points came from goals kicked by Colin Williamson - who won the Cellar Ghost "Player of the Day" award — the blues deserved to beat Linwood at Lancaster Park. Linwood scored the tries but made too many mistakes against a competent side which previously accounted for University A and Marist. However, the game was a personal triumph for the Linwood and Canterbury hooker.

John Mills. He took six tightheads and lost one to the experienced Robert Yates. New Brighton had only two points to spare in beating Lincoln College, but the seasiders should have won by more because of the groundwork they put in. One of the forgotten men of Canterbury rugby, the former South Island wing. Ross Gibson, scored twice for Brighton. Marist scored six tries against Hornby on a day when all three of its wings took the field. Ironically, while Bill Anderson and Garry Hooper scored a try each from their customary positions. Mike O'Donovan, placed at second five-eighths for the day, gained three. Old Boys regained a place in the top eight by beating Albion, but made hard work of it against a side which just couldn’t finish off its movements. But the conqueror of Old Boys in the previous round. Burnside, maintained seventh place by beating Suburbs with an entertaining display of attacking rugby in the second half. “That effort took the chill from a cold winter's afternoon." said one

knowledgeable spectator. Burnside scored 41 points, to bring its aggregrate in the last three matches to 116. 68 of which came from tries. These are riches indeed for the former Cinderella side. Last season it scored 177 points in .18 matches; this year it has passed that tally in half the number of games. Belfast shut out Sydenham, with Wayne Smith and his partner. Mark Haase, holding the whip hand, and University A whitewashed Meri-vale-Papanui. Andrew McMaster. University's and Town’s full-back, advanced his tally to 79 points, but his best kick, a penalty attempt from 55m. struck the righthand upright. Points are:

W D L F A Pts Chch 8 0 1 169 60 16 New Bn. / 0 2 2(10 55 14 Marist 7 0 9 164 73 14 Linw. 0 9 139 58 14 Shir. 0 2 128 101 14 Univ. A 6 1 9 207 88 13 Burn. 5 1 3 181 108 11 H.SO.B. 5 0 4 132 143 10 Belf. 4 1 4 106 125 9 Albion 4 1 4 105 126 9 Syd. 3 0 6 87 172 6 Mer.-Pap. 2 1 6 82 107 5 Line. Coll. 9 0 7 81 129 4 Subs. 1 1 98 181 3 Horn. 1 0 8 50 223 2 Univ. B 0 0 9 58 238 0