Merivale, Albion in D.C.L. final

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 13

Merivale, Albion in D.C.L. final

Merivale-Papanui thoroughly deserves its place in the D.C.L. Shield final. Its 27-16 win over High School Old Boys on the south ground at Lancaster Park was not in the slightest flattering. Every time Merivale ran the ball at its opponents, grave deficiencies in the Old Boys’ defence were exposed. The tackling was often feeble, there was a lot of dithering when the ball was loose. Merivale should Have scored more than one try, but many vital passes went astray. It was an eager, committed team, however, and it was for ever looking for chances to run its backs.

The key to the Merivale victory was its first five-eighths, Deane McKinnel. He is a very proficient young player, and in the second spell, when playing with the wind at. his back, he kept Old Boys under persistent pressure with beautifully-placed kicks. Old Boys were awarded 11 penalties in the second spell to Merivale’s four — but they brought in 12 points from McKinnel’s accurate kicking. In all, he scored 19 points. Ces Patrick, the Merivale hooker, had the satisfaction of winning three tight heads and

losing two. In general, Merivale’s forwards gave a lively display, and won their share of line-out ball from taller opponents. Denis Skipper made a mockery of his vears with a robust display. Alan Lindsay at half-back was quick to set up movements from broken play, and Paul Karena embarrassed Old Boys’ would-be tacklers with his evasive action. Mark Rhodes stood out in the Old Boys forwards, Simon Brown (first five-eighths) was very capable and Geoff Brain, on the right wing, was always looking for work, always hard to stop. But the experiment of playing lan Mather at' centre was not a success.

In the second half there were some moments of brawling, ,rom which Old Boys were penlised, and Merivale also had the luxury of a penalty try a little later. Marched backwards Albion’s superior forward control told on Lincoln College in the second spell and Albion emerged a decisive winner. College lacked nothing in enterprise, but did not have enough possession to put it to good effect. The strong driving 'Albion forwards marched College backwards in mauls and the powerful Albion scrum also added more

worries for the lighter College pack. Although College led 6-3 at balf-tiipe, it was under early pressure to hold its advantage in the second spell and once Albion’s accomplished full-back, Bryce Woodward, fooled the defence to score in the tenth minute, it became obvious that Albion was in command. Apart from . some isolated counter-attacks, Albion called the tune for the last 40 minutes. Ralph Robertson and Nicky Dierck formed a sound combination and all the backs bad some strong runs as they were given plenty of ball. The untiring lan Kennedy and his fellow flanker, Peter Dixon, had fine games for Albion, their pace to the breakdowns being a key factor to much of Albion’s second phase ball. The hard-running Dennis Woods and Peter Ryan tried to set College alight, but the backs found themselves mainly occupied on defence. Enterprising Spirited play from both sides made the last 20 minutes at Denton Park Oval most exciting, but Hornby was unable to score the vital points, to overhaul Sydenham's two-point lead.

It was a hectic finish to an interesting game. Although both teams lacked basic skills their willingness to pass and chase led to an absorbing struggle. It was only the trusy .boot of. Brent Nicoll that gave his side the match.

Hornby had a good first half, with the forwards having the edge for long periods, but Sydenham came back against the wind in the second spell to last better. Simon Bloomberg played well at half-back for Sydenham and. Paul O’Hailoran was an en-. terprising wing, while Trevor Luke and Tom Chandler were the best of a forward pack which finished well. - The best of the Hornby backs was Ross Patterson, and Steven

Bloomfield was a most competent five-eighths. Gavin McEwan was a tower bf strength in the forwards, all of whom played well. Suburbs succeeds Better control in the forwards eventually enabled Suburbs to wipe out a half-time deficit and beat University B at the Ram grounds. Suburbs kicked off and their forwards started well,.but it was the University, backs' support play, and the use of forwards

standing off from the tighter exchanges that enabled them to lead. 10-7, at the turn. The Suburbs line-out torced University to employ two-man line-outs with the prop acting as half-back in the second half.

Tempers flared among the forwards in the second half, and this resulted in the University No. 8. Richard Brookie, receiving a spell in the sin-bin:

University B scored the best try of the match in the dying minutes after a 50m rush with most players handling. For Suburbs the props. Mike Taylor and Tony "Snout" Chester, had good games, especially in line-out play and resulting mauls. In the backs Gary Roberts and Neil- McKay were prominent. . .

John Buchan had a fine game in the loose for University as well as kicking an excellent sideline conversion.

Derek Lardelii shone in the loose and was the key man in University's two-man line-outs. In the backs, John Sproat and Kahiu Watling made some good breaks and Peter Halligan looked lively on the left wing.