Newcastle no threat

Press, 3 June 1983, Page 24

Newcastle no threat

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

A snowy mountain backdrop and visible signs of the morning’s hard frost skirting the playing field greeted the visiting Australian rugby team, Newcastle, for its match against Canterbury Country at the Sheffield Domain yesterday. The welcome might have been icy, but the heat was soon gggenerated as the two teams began combat. Newcastle strived mightily against bigger opposition and still scented a faint chance at half-time when it trailed, 4-13. However, Country proved too strong in the second spell and

finished a decisive winner, 31-4. Newcastle, which had lost its two earlier tour matches against Southland Subunions and Otago Subunions, lacked the necessary fire-power to pose a real threat to a Canterbury Country team, which had several first-choice players side-lined through influenza. Canterbury Country was superior in scrummaging and mauling, and held sway in line-outs, but the Newcastle pack never surrendered. Newcastle had a refreshing approach among the backs. From limited opportunities, the ball was spun

merrily and the backs ran purposefully. It came to no avail, but John Delore and Ken Howard proved that they had the ability to beat their markers. After they warmed to their task, Andrew Prattley and Paul McGara, the Country locks, gave their team good line-out possession, but the real menace to Newcastle was the Country captain and No. 8, John Masefield. For Canterbury Country, Masefield 2, Chris Rhodes, Tony Harris, Prattley and Ross Saunders scored tries; Noel Heffernan added two conversions and a penalty goal. Newcastle’s try was scored by Tim Bailey.