Otahuhu impressive in Cup win

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 20

Otahuhu impressive in Cup win

By

JOHN COFFEY

The blending of skill and speed which has enabled Otahuhu to prosper in Auckland rugby league this season eventually proved too much for a gallant Addington side at the Show Grounds on Saturday evening. Otahuhu was rather flattered by the final score of 22-10, but there was no doubt that it deserved to win a particularly fast match and advance to’ the quarter-finals of the Wrangler Cup. Three tries in the opening quarter had given Otahuhu a comfortable advantage, before Addington responded with much of the determination and flair which earned it the Canterbury club title earlier this month. In the second and third quarters Otahuhu was restricted to just one more try as Addington drew up to 1014. and only narrowly failed to take advantage of two other scoring opportunities. However, it was Otahuhu which finished the stronger of the two teams. Its dashing wing. Emil Vaafusuaaga. scuttled away for his second and third tries, the last of them after the full-time hooter had sounded. Otahuhu had to recover from two early setbacks to emerge victorious. It went into the game without its Kiwi loose forward. Hugh McGahan, although Otahuhu's depth of forward strength more than compensated for his absence. His New Zealand teammate. Owen Wright, switched from prop to his alternative role at the back of the

scrum. He was typically effective in creating attacking chances and was on hand to touch down when Otahuhu needed confidence restored just before half-time.

The replacement prop. Frank Tiniteila. was even more promineent. A big. mobile fellow. Tiniteila frequentlv surged through the Addington forward defences to deservedly be chosen as Othuhu's "man of the match." It was Otahuhu's other reverse which threatened to be more costly. In the second minute, and from the first scrum, the Otahuhu backs lost control of the ball in midfield, and the Addington centre. Grant Stocker, sprinted 60 metres to score and allow Blair Corkran an easv conversion. But even that boost did not settle Addington. Possession was wasted, the scrummaging was poor, and the tackling often tentative, enabling Otahuhu to claim its three tries and end the opening quarter an 11-5 leader. Deft work by Daryl Morrison and Tiniteila sent the other Otahuhu prop and captain. Terry Whittle across: all three front-rowers Timiteila. Whittle and Paul Simons, handled as a prelude to Vaafusuaaga’s first try; and then Tiniteila ranged wide to leave Fred Muller with an overlap after quick Otahuhu passing moved the ball across the u’idth of the field. The possibility of a onesided encounter was then very real. However, to Addington's credit it replied with some spectacular running and backing up of its own. with Stocker outstanding in consistently cutting between the Otahuhu centres, Joe Ropati and Roger Rota.

One rush of 80 metres had the Otahuhu cover in tatters and had its reward when the Addington full-back. Blair Corkran. touched down from the dummy-half position.

Addingtoi& though, was not able to place permanent pressure on its opponent. It gradually solved its scrummaging problems, but continued to have difficulties in smothering passes from tackles.

Wright's try came from such a situation as Peter Simons, when held, stood in the grasp of a defender and slipped the ball to Paul Simons, with Wright enjoying a clear run to the trv-line.

The Otahuhu players were being bustled, and some oi the smoothness went out oi their stride in the third quarter. to such an extent that Wright mishandled when poised to touch-down a second time. Moments earlier another fine break by Stocker failed when his delivery to Pat Hodgson was forward, and later the Addington secondrower.’Wayne Clemence. was recalled for a similar error.

Clearly, Otahuhu has a proficient and entertaining side, one that relished the firm playing surface. Both wings, Vaafusuaaga and Muller, made the most of their finishing opportunities, and the pace and timing of the entrances from full-back of John Ropati were a constant worry to Addington.

Morrison was ever lively behind the Otahuhu pack, and Joe Ropati used his size to pierce the first line of Addington's mid-field cover.

There were no weaknesses evident in Otahuhu's forward manoeuvres. Tiniteila must have been a fearsome sight for the Addington defenders. Wright and Whittle also did their share of setting up their team-mates, Peter Ropati proved that not all of the family’s speed was in the back-line, and Murray Evans

was a dedicated toiler in all phases of the game.

Paul Simons won seven of the first nine scrums before his marker. George Faulkner. struck back to level the possession count at 20-20. and both hookers covered plenty of territory in open play. The diligent Clemence was Addington's • best forward, and John Tapiata produced a positive mixture of astute ball distribution and strong solo runs.

Stocker greatly enhanced his reputation as a centre, and Otahuhu’s mid-field men will long have memories of his dashing style. Billy

Parker was a most capable scrum-half. Rick Odering complemented Stocker well. Murray Pitts made his mark with a number of telling smother tackles from the wing, and Corkran was a consistent and successful full-back. Details.—

Otahuhu 22 (E. Vaafusuaaga three. T. Whittle. O. Wright. F. Muller tries; John Ropati two goals) beat Addington 10 (G. H. Stocker. B. E. Corkran tries; Corkran two goals). Quartertime scores: 11-5. 14-8. 14-10. 22-10. Scrums. 20-20. Penalties. Addington. 10-7. Referee. Mr Don Wilson (Wellington).