‘Total euphoria’ after inevitable victory

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 32

‘Total euphoria’ after inevitable victory

By

L. LAMB

"I've heard shield games are supposed to be electric... That one was absolute magic...” Those well chosen words came from Ross of Hei Hei, as he reminisced yesterday on his triumphant trip to Wellington to see Canterbury lift The Log. Relaxing yesterday after watching Wayne Smith’s match-winning try for the sixteenth time on his mate's video, Ross spoke of a day he will recall fondly for years to come. When it comes to fanaticism for things red and

black. Ross of Hei Hei is on a par with the writer. Yet even though Ross backed Canterbury to win. 37-3, in his work’s sweepstake, he conceded yesterday that there was a time during the game when their odds slumped to “50-50." Fortunately, that rare lapse of faith in his province was short-lived. He arrived alone at the gates of Athletic Park on Saturday, but soon found himself among a rowdy group of about 15. likeminded supporters. The brave lads, dressed in red and black scarves, hats and jerseys, were surrounded

by a sea of black and gold. Hundreds of Wellingtonians wore rosettes and badges featuring a picture of Paul Quinn, the Wellington captain. holding The Log. Wellington’s supporters were unbelievably confident, and their spirits reached an unprecedented high when the capital’s colts team defeated their Canterbury counterparts in the curtain-raiser. Undeterred by such obviously unfounded optimism, Ross and his mates just yelled even louder. The atmosphere during the main game, and particularly in the Canterbury supporters’

camp when Smith scored the clincher, would be difficult to recapture in print. Ross summed it up in two words: “Total euphoria.” “Everyone was in raptures... jumping up and down, clapping, yelling and cheering.... patting backs and shaking hands with people they’d never seen before... even the odd cuddle.” Everyone, that is, except the thousands of Wellington supporters, who suddenly went very quiet. When the final whistle blew, Canterbury supporters invaded the pitch, to claim a share of the glory.

After The Log had been formally handed over to the Canterbury captain, Don Hayes, and he had said a few words, a chant went up: “We want Griz... We want Griz...” The victorious coach soon obliged. A man of few wellphosen words, he opened with the line: "There’s bugger all more 1 can say...” Fair enough, thought Ross of Hei Hei: “Who wants diplomacy at a time like that?” Before the cheers had died down, Ross left Athletic Park and headed for the

airport to catch the first available flight home. He was back in plenty of time to join the growing crowd of well-wishers waiting at the airport to greet their heroes when they arrived bearing The Log. Thoughts have now turned to next Saturday’s allimportant shield defence against Counties at Lancaster Park. Ross will be there on the bank with his mates. He thinks it will be a tough game, “with Canterbury running out the winner by 30 points." He might not be far wrong.