Unbeaten honour down to two

Press, 9 May 1983, Page 22

Unbeaten honour down to two

New Brighton and Marist were left as the. only two unbeaten teams after Saturday’s sixth-round matches in the C.S.B. Cup senior rugby competition, and they will meet next Saturday.

Both survived in hard games: New Brighton withstanding a strong finish by Burnside, also unbeaten before Saturday, and Marist lifting its game in the second half to give Belfast its first loss of the season.

New Brighton was most impressive in beating Burnside. The sea-siders employed their strong defensive patterns to keep the free-running Burnside backs in check and finished with a try advantage of two to one.

One of these tries was scored by the full-back, Dave Bowick, and he also kicked three goals for a personal tally of 12 points. He was named as the Cellar Ghost “Player of the Day” at Lancaster Park, in what must have been a close decision with Wayne Burleigh, New Brighton’s first five-eighths who had a big influence on play.

The promising Marist prop, Tala Kele, was the “Player of the Day” at Rugby Park. He was prominent throughout and very much so in the last eight minutes when Marist scored 11 of its points. There was a lot of indifferent goal-kicking in the round, although the University A-Sydenham game was an exception. Andrew

McMaster kicked 18 points for University as it careered to a 46-25 win, but Sydenham’s Brent Nicoll did even better, with 21 points. Nicoll kicked seven penalty goals, one fewer than the record set by Gary Cookson (High School Old Boys) three weeks ago. Nicoll had the opportunities to break the record.

McMaster’s 18 points took his total for the season to 80. Cookson is next with 65, although Cookson missed all five kicks he had on Saturday as Old Boys scraped home 11-10 in a disappointing match.

Linwood showed a return to form by beating Albion in a game that was close for a long time and Suburbs had to shake itself along in the second spell to inflict on University B its 35th consecutive loss. Christchurch had no trouble accounting for Hornby but it was late in the piece before Shirley was assured of two points against Merivale-Papanui. POINTS ARE:—

Results were:— New Brighton 16, Burnside 10. Christchurch 36, Hornby 9. Marist 17, Belfast 6. High School Old Boys 11, Lincoln College 10. Linwood 15, Albion 6. University A 46, Sydenham 25. Suburbs 20, University B 12 Shirley 14, Merivale-Papanui 6. NEW BRIGHTON 16, BURNSIDE 10 New Brighton: A. Fonotea, D. Bowick tries; Bowick conversion, two penalty goals. Bumside: G. McGuire try; M. Neutze penalty goal; D. G. Farrant dropped goal. Referee: Mr A. R. Taylor. Wayne Burleigh’s skilful tactical kicking played a big part in New Brighton preserving its unbeaten record against Burnside in the main match on Lancaster Park Oval.

The game provided much for the rugby connoisseur: hard driving and rucking by both sets of forwards; astute kicking, free-running, and crunching tackles by both backlines. Burleigh has given New Brighton excellent service for many years in the important first five-eighths position and he delighted his supporters with his fine judgment, both when kicking and when running. The Burnside forwards had good reason to think unkindly of him as they repeatedly trudged backwards to a line-out.

Burnside tried to play the style of rugby which has made it one of the most attractive sides to watch. The ball was spun along the backline and support was never far away, but New Brighton tackled so ruthlessly, especially in the

first half, that Burnside lost its rhythm. New Brighton contributed its share towards an entertaining match by counter-attack-ing at every opportunity. Both its tries were products of grand support play. Peter McLaren and Mark Carrington combined to put Tony Fonotea in the clear for the first, and the live-wire Burleigh deceived the Burnside defence to allow Dave Bowick to score the second and take New Brighton to a 16-6 lead, with 20min remaining. Burnside could only score one try in the final quarter, although it did almost all of the attacking. An easy penalty attempt was missed ana David Farrant was narrowly astray witth a long-range dropped goal. Dave Taylor, who packed at the back of the New Brighton scrum to allow the regular No. 8, Peter McLaren to play on the open side flank, made a fine fist of his new role, and Mark Bell continued his improvement with a determined effort on the flank.

Burleigh masterminded the Brighton back moves, but Carrington and Andrew Cartwright were willing chasers and tacklers.

Farrant, who opposed Burleigh, also gave a very competent display, varying play cleverly. But the Burnside backs were given little freedom to use the good supply of bail won from rucks by its robust forwards. Danny McGuire and Kevin Johnston were outstanding members of the pack.

Marist 17,

Belfast 6

Marist: P. Gibson, W. Anderson, D. Kilworth tries; G. Coffey conversion; G. Hills penalty goal. Belfast: M. Vincent two penalty goals. Referee: Mr R. B. Rudkin. A very convincing last quarter took Marist to what looks, on paper, like an easy win. Until the late stages, however, it was a very even and interesting tussle. Belfast had a fair share of possession, and its astute first five-eighths, Kieran Keane, was able to put his side in attacking positions regularly, particularly in the first spell, which went Belfast’s way quite decisively. Belfast’s backs, however, were contained by eager tackling and comprehensive covering.

In the last desperate minutes, Belfast was run off its feet. Marist’s forwards and backs combined beautifully in some sweeping attacks. Greg Hills put Marist ahead with a 42m penalty goal late in the second spell. In the next eight minutes, Marist scored two lovely tries, outflanking the defence with speed of pass and foot. Both sides tried to attack with the running game, and it was a very good match to watch. Keane was very impressive, especially in the first 40min. He was Belfast’s director, with spectacular punts and a few sharp dabs. But he was unable to claim credit for a smash hit; before the end, most of his cast had forgotten its lines.

Further out, the strong-run-ning Mardy Vincent was closely marked and made little impression. Belfast’s forwards impressed for an hour with their ability to drive together, but they tired a little under severe pressure at the end. A newcomer, Barry Newlove, gave a useful display and Jack Oldridge was as industrious as ever.

Marist has a very good team this season. It was as quick as Belfast to counter-attack, it looked impressive with the rolling maul, and Pat O’Gormah insisted that his side had a fair share of line-out possession.

Two other Marist forwards were outstanding. Tala Kele’s fiery charges often set the pack going forward, and a newcomer from Wellington, Alan Kennedy, who came on as a replacement for Gary Burrbwes, seemed prepared to do three men’s work. Behind them, Steve Baker was very sharp and proficient, and Paul Hayes was a cool and capable full-back. Old Boys 11,

Lincoln College 10 Old Boys: D. Park, H. McPhail tries; P. Thomas dropped goal. Lincoln College: S. Patterson try, M. McLean, dropped goal, penalty goal. Referee: Mr G. T. Barrett. There was a strong suspicion, long before this game had ended, that some mischievous influence was at work on the players, or that the Canterbury Rugby Union had imported some of those eccentric balls beloved of billiards comics.

It was incredible. Not only did Gary Cookson, who had scored 65 points in the first four matches, fail to notch one goal, although some of his five attempts were from directly in front, there was only one successful goal kicks in 12. Moreover, line kicks regularly failed in their mission, and tactical kicks were often well astray. , The ground was perfect, and these teams were expected to produce entertaining fare. It was greatly disappointing. There were a couple of fine tries, some individual performances of merit, but there were many mistakes in handling and tackling. Perhaps Old Boys were jaded by their hard game on Wednesday, for they were never in command, although that strong front row made strenuous efforts and a flanker, Don Purson, had an especially good game. Phil Thomas gave his usual competent performance at half-back, James Leggat also played well, and Glen Wisker was very busy indeed. In an industrious Lincoln College pack, Greg Sparrow was often prominent and Gwyn Williams was totally involved, as ever. Craig Green ran strongly and deceptively on occasion. The match-was saved by the three tries it yielded. Each came from swift running, quick passing, and excellent backing-up. But such moments of delight were few and far between. University A 46, Sydenham 25 University A: S. Karpik 3, C.

Currie, J. Edmondson, V. Simpson, R. Gibson tries; A. McMaster six conversions, two penalty goals. Sydenham: D. Couch try; B. Nicol) seven penalty goals. Referee: Mr A. R. Bateman.

Sydenham’s delight of the previous week turned to despondency when it struck a University A side almost back to full strength, and with something to prove. The students occasionally played well; at other times, nondescriptly. Sydenham was largely to blame for its demise; a thoroughly lacklustre display in the first half allowed University out to 27-6 at the break.

University’s first two tries came from glaring mistakes by Sydenham backs, and the fourth and last of the half was ludicrously easy, John Edmondson doing a Willie-away to score from a line-out near the corner.

Sydenham began the second half with more spirit, the forwards driving well and getting through some good line-out work. Dean Couch made one delightful cut from first fiveeighths and Kieran Flynn made two sharp breaks which almost led to tries. The try that Sydenham did get arose from a handling lapse in the University back-line. University, however, was only sporadically threatened, and there was time for some of the bigger men to take breathers as play ran on. The students packed a powerful scrum, its big shove gaining many tightheads in useful positions.

But the key to University’s performance lay, as it so often does, in the play of its loose forwards. Rob Moffat was a commanding figure from the back of the scrum and Colin Currie was terrier-like in his pursuit of the loose ball, setting up rucks intelligently. Mark Meates proved his worth in a slightly tighter role, leaving Dale Atkins to hew away in the tight, as a lock. Atkins, however, found the leeway on a couple of occasions to figure prominently with the ball.

University’s best back on the day was the left wing, Steve Karpik, who showed pace and guile. Andrew McMaster was cool and authoritative at fullback.

Shirley 14,

Merivale-Papanui

Shirley: M. Young, B. Stringer, G. Fleck tries; C. Williamson conversions. Merivale-Papanui: E. Goodhue try; D. McKinnel conversion. Merivale-Papanui showed improvement on its recent efforts to match Shirley in the forwards, but when the ball was loose or with the backs, Shirley held a definite advantage. It was, however, a fairly scrappy game, made memorable only by the three good tries that Shirley scored. The bet of them was the last, scored by the left wing, Graham Fleck, who finished off a movement which started near half-way with a strong run by Allan Lindsay. Lindsay had an excellent game. His passes were swift and sure, and he also showed up more than once as a coverdefender.

Shirley was at its best when its forwards were able to charge ahead in the loose. They controlled the ball with some good close-quarter passing and the captain, Mark Young, and Paul Trask were especially prominent in this role. It was a superb break by cask that set up Young for Shirley’s first try. Grant Mickell was another prominent Shirley forward, while the hooker, Brett Dixon, did some good work at the front of the line-out and was constantly in support of the ball-carrier.

In the backs, Shirley promised more than it produced. Colin Williamson lost contact with those outside him too often, and like his opposite, Dean McKinnel, had an off day with his goal-kicking. Maia Toa and Bradley Stringer made the most of the few attacking chances they received and Stringer’s try was a lovely solo effort. But generally, fluency was lacking in the Shirley back-line.

The Merivale-Papanui forwards applied themselves diligently and there was some bold, straight running from Kel Mariu and Malcolm Neilson.

The backs, however, struggled to make much headway, although Grant Herbert underlined his versatility by giving a useful display at halfback and if McKinnel had kicked as well for goal as he did tactically, then the result might have been closer.

Suburbs 20,

University B 12

Suburbs: A. Rossiter, S. Richards, P. Wilkinshaw, A. Pugh, tries; N. McKay two conversions. University B: B. Timms four penalty goals. Referee: Mr M. L. Fitzgibbon.

Two tries scored shortly after half-time gave Suburbs the lead and a new lease of life after an opening spell in which University B had looked the better side.

Suburbs scored a fourth try five minutes before full time to seal the match but it was a less than convincing performance against its lowly-placed opponent. In Suburbs’ defence, however, University B was a greatly improved side, the forwards in particular playing with a purpose which had been lacking in earlier games. The standard of play on both sides was mediocre and activity was almost entirely confined to the 16 forwards and four inside backs.

The University B outsides received good service from Stewart Gourdie and Brent Timms but frittered the opportunities away, while the Suburbs inside pair were so pedestrian that the centres were always under pressure. For Suburbs, John Gibson, Sam Creed, and Mike Taylor were forwards who stood out, and when the Suburbs pack began to work together in the second spell, and Paul Wilkinshaw made the most of the little play he received on the wing. Linwood 15, Albion 6 Linwood: M. Cantwell, J. Mills tries; R. T. Latham j two conversions, penalty goal. Albion 6: N. Dierck dropped goal; G. James penalty goal. Referee: Mr G. Anderson. A delightful second-half try by Linwood’s second fiveeighths, Mark Cantwell, brightened what had been a dour encounter with Albion, and sparked a more convincing performance by Linwood over the final stages.

When Rod Latham switched play from a scrum, there seemed little promise in the movement but Cantwell accelerated sharply and tore through the Albion defence. Until then, Linwood relied for its advances on the powerful punting of Latham. After Cantwell’s solo effort, Latham, and the rest of the Linwood backs, seemed suddenly full of running, and they looked good. John Mills popped up on the end of a second-phase back move and sold a delightful dummy before powering across in the corner.

It was probably no coincedence that Linwood’s sudden dominance began after Albion’s outstanding flanker, Wayne Shelford, left the field injured. Until Shelford’s departure, the Albion pack was a powerful driving force, with Shelford often the prime mover in the advances. He also won a lot of line-out ball.

Although Chris Langdale was a willing loose forward, he was lost without Shelford’s example. For Linwood, Joe Vuletich had a good outing as a tearaway flanker and Ru Koha again inspired his side with a solid display at the very heart of the forward confrontation.

Christchurch 36, Hornby 9

Christchurch: W. Tinker 2, M. Genet, P. O’Brien, R. Waghorn tries; G. L. Kench two conversions, four penalty goals. Hornby: S. Bloomfield three penalty goals. Referee: Mr A. C. Russell. Christchurch, ahead 23-6 at half-time, cantered away to an easy victory against a hapless Hornby in the curtain-raiser on Lancaster Park Oval.

Hornby did reasonably well in rucks and mauls, depriving Christchurch of much possession from those sources, but the tall Christchurch locks, Craig Frier and John Currie, won the line-outs at will, and the backs were too swift for their opposites. Kahui Watling, the Christchurch second five-eighths, was the most impressive back on the field until he retired injured in the second spell. He was quick to spot a gap and had the pace to make the most of it.

Wayne Tinker also had a fine game at half-back. Not for the first time this season, he deceived the opposition defence with a brilliant blindside break. His passing, too, was of a high standard.

P W D L F A Pt N.Bri 6 6 0 0102 49 12 Marist 6 6 0 0 98 31 12 H.S.O.B. . 6 5 1 0106 72 10 Univ.A 6 4 1 1194 63 9 Shirley 6 4 2 0121 79 8 Burnside 5 3 1 1129 29 7 Belfast 5 3 1 1 87 39 7 Linwood 6 3 3 0 75 70 6 Lin.Col. 6 2 3 1107 79 5 Subs. 6 2 3 1 69100 5 Chch 5 2 3 0100 52 4 Syden. 5 1 3 1 71128 3 Albion 6 1 4 1 39 78 3 Mer-Pap 6 0 5 1 40153 1 Hornby 6 0 6 0 34160 0 Univ B 6 0 6 0 32222 0