Lincoln H.S. has good first XV

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 25

Lincoln H.S. has good first XV

The Lincoln High School first XV is hardly well-known in Canterbury rugby circles, but some experienced observers rate it a skilful, highly promising combination.

Earlier in the season. Lincoln High played in a secondary schools tournament in Dunedin and performed creditably, with a good win over Bayfield High School and a draw with Hie strong Otago Boys’ High School second XV. Then, mote recently. Lincoln featured strongly in a quadrangular tournament with Hillmorton High. Hornhy High and Cashmere High at floodlit Denton Oval. Lincoln /von the tournament easily by beating Cashmere. 30-6. in the final. The-side has a very fit. mobile pack but it is relatively small and Lincoln is unsure how it might fare against some of the bigger guns m secondary schools rugbv. such as the tirsi XVs of Christchurch Hoys’ High. Christ s College and St Redes College There is a feeling, however, that the side would he by no means disgraced. Lincoln will have a true test of its ability at the top secondary schools level when it meets Taieri High School (Dunedin) on August 13. Lincoln plays a fluid, attractive style of rugby, with its sharp set oi backs complemented by mobile iorwards.

Stephen Eaton is a talented full-back, of imposing build, and a fine goal-kicker. Todd Metcalfe is a fast, powerfully-built centre, who serves his wings well: the speedy Mark Happen has scored 11 tries this season.

The three-quarters are well served inside by the half-back. Stephen Moore, and the first five-eighths. Tim Butt, who plays with a coolness 'and maturity that belies his lender years. He is only a fourth-former. The forwards are led by Martin Weaver, a small but dynamic flanker. David Wells is another smallish forward, but he makes a tigerish prop, and Andrew Dundas is hooking well. David Hoskins, the-only forward back from

last year, finds himself the senior man in the pack. Meanwhile, junior rugby continues on Saturday mornings. In an 18th grade match played last Saturday. Sydenham met Burnside Scott Crawford, a new player, has made a big difference to the Sydenham side, along with Miles Wilkinson and Robbie Flynn. Justin Hickey and Aaron Condon arc always heartily involved. The Sydenham coach said his players were "just babies three or lour weeks ago. but now they have come of age." In the Burnside team. Richard Genge, Justin Brown, for his tackling. Gary Richards and Mark Allison are all showing promise. In another 18th grade match. Albion B met Linwood. For Albion. Chris Cole has been scoring a 10l of points while Ljndon Myles has "improved out of sight" and has become one of the team's best tacklers. Jason King is leading the side ably. In the Linwood team. Warren Peters is showing speed and tenacity and the captain. Philip Nimnto. has been playing well Aaron Simpson has shown great improvement while Nathan McStay. Paul Roberts and Jamie Scott never give in. Christchurch in section HI of the 18th grade features Scott Sheridan. James Taylor and Pascal Berrill. who have all come along well. Matthew Johnstone is a ’natural ” at first five-eighths. In the 15th grade. Albion has had some problems with injuries. Justin Dunn is just back after breaking six toes and Mepi Fanagali. a highly promising player, broke a shin bone in the second match of the season. He has just had his plaster cast removed and may be fully fit just as the season ends. The inside back pairing of Michael Olds and Paul Vernal is showing good form for Albion. Simon McGuire and Peter Jennings are also playing well, while Richard Aitken and Duane Major, a newcomer to the side, are making their presences felt. New Brighton in the 16lh grade has Corey Duncan, Chris

Anios. Craig Rose, and Scott Randall in fine form. Randall is very small for the grade, but he applies himself verv energeficallv

In a 14th grade B match. New Brighton clashed with Hornhy Cullen Petersen. New Brighton’s usual full-back, stands out for his tackling and Martin Andrews and Christopher Northcole are playing well in the forwards. Peter \ eight and Clinton Chinnery are developing steadily.

Hornby’s front-row of John McKenzie. Michael van Heyningen and Jason Smith is performing usefully. Grant Dawson and Calvin Forbes stand out in the backs, while Michael Boyd and Eddie Heagney have shown steady improvement. In Section HI of the 14th grade. Suburbs and New Brighton clashed. For Suburbs Andrew Cox is a real toiler and Stephen Wallace is generally sound at fullback. Glen Davis and Jason Barrell make a good inside-back combination. while Shaun Reiha has heen a consistently strong player in the forwards.

In the New Brighton side. Trevor Bradley, a tall luck, has heen jumping well in the lineouts and Darryl Fox. Faaiinga Faatili. Jody King and Aaron Wright are all well-performed players, along with Mark Bout and Stephen Carey. Linwood in section I of the 18th grade has lost only two. games this season. The first five-eighths. Greg Robinson, brought up his century of points last Saturday. Peter Curry is a very fast winger, sound tactically and on defence. Jason Hamilton, a good driving player, leads the forwards well and lan Warburton is a strong tackler at second five-eighths.

The forwards are all hard grafters and the front-rowers. Craig Hider, Jeremy Tinker and Jared Murtha stick'to their guns and never complain about the hard work they have to do to serve the ball up to their lively half-back. Matthew Cameron.