Rugby-League Papanui moves into lead one point ahead of Hornby

Press, 11 July 1983, Page 23

Rugby-League Papanui moves into lead one point ahead of Hornby

Papanui moved into a clear, one-point lead at the top of the Canterbury rugby league premiership, as its closest rival, Hornby, was held to a draw by Kaiapoi. Papanui’s narrow win over Marist-Western Suburbs came after it had fallen behind early in the second half. Not only does Papanui hold a slender lead in the championship, but it also has a match in hand over its nearest pursuers, Hornby and Addington. Hornby had two late chances to snatch both points from Kaiapoi, but Barry Edkins missed a penalty goal and a field goal shortly before the end.

However, Edkins was Hornby’s solitary points scorer, with Robin Alfeld failing to score a try for the first time in the 12 rounds of the premiership this season. Addington beat Halswell convincingly enough, 14-4, with the strong centre, Pomare Connell, playing a crucial part in the win.

In the bottom half of the table, Linwood moved above Marist with a narrow 5-4 victory over Eastern Suburbs. Results.— Papanui 8, Marist-Western 6. Hornby 4, Kaiapoi 4. Addington 14, Halswell 4. Linwood 5, Eastern Suburbs 4.

Halswell 11 1 0 10126222 2 Linwood 5, Eastern Suburbs 4 Linwood: L. Hudson two goals; W. Wilson field goal. Eastern: J- Stanbury try. Referee: Mr S. O’Grady. Linwood began the match at Avon Park running and passing with plenty of confidence. It

took some stout-hearted defence by Eastern to hold off the strong early challenge. Lewis Hudson kicked his first penalty in the fifteenth minute, and added a second after further persistent pressure produced infringements from Eastern.

Eastern battled back and was rewarded with the only try of the match, by John Stanbury, after a powerful burst. But Linwood regained the lead three minutes later when Wally Wilson kicked a field goal. The second half was scoreless, although both sides had their opportunities. Scott Barrow and Rex Dalzell had impressive games in a strong Linwood pack, with Wilson and Hudson always dangerous on attack. Dick Ngataki and Wayne Jeffs stood out in the Eastern pack, while John Rangihuna was an elusive runner with the ball, and Stanbury showed plenty of determination. Addington 14, Halswell 4 Addington: T. Mene, P. Connell, L. Hale tries; P. Bancroft one goal. Halswell: D. Hawker try. Referee: Mr B. Dacre. A gallant Halswell side, which just failed to finish many promising moves allowed a battling Addington side a further two points in the early game on the No. 2 ground at the Show Grounds. Halswell actually scored first, in the sixth minute, when the hard-working Daryl Hawker was forced over the Addington line by three of his team-mates. Tai Mene equalised, scoring from the dummy half position, after good work by the 19-year-old Philip Bancroft. Addington’s play showed much more purpose after the interval. Pomare Connell, who had an enterprising game, scored straight after the break, and Laurence Hale made the game safe for Addington midway through the half. Halswell, aided by a 15-3

penalty count in the second half, pressed determinedly in the final quarter, but lacked the final thrust. Robbie Rushton and Alan Rutherford had high tackle counts for Halswell, while Wayne Clemence and John Tapiata had forceful games for Addington. Hornby 4, Kaiapoi 4 Hornby: B. Edkins two goals. Kaiapoi: S. Dickson try. Referee; Mr R. McKenzie. Kaiapoi shared the points with a subdued hornby side on a very muddy No. 2 ground at the Show Grounds. It had a fine first half, thoroughly dominating proceedings arid it took some excellent tackling by Hornby to keep it in the match. Steve Dickson, the Kaiapoi centre, burst on to a pass and surged 10m to the line to score, 12 minutes before half-time. However, the try woke up Hornby and Robin Alfeld broke through a large gap and was just hauled down by the Kaiapoi cover defence. The defence erred in holding Alfeld down too long and Barry Edkins kicked his first goal from the penalty.

The second half was a complete reversal, with Hornby doing most of the attacking. It equalised 11 minutes from the

end. Steve Hann’s jinking run ended when he was foot-tripped by the man of the match. Tony Stanley, and Edkins kicked the goal. Kaiapoi’s tenacious defence brought down Vaughan Low just before the line and Edkins had a field goal attempt charged down, as Hornby tried desperately for the decisive point. Russell Bell, the Kaiapoi second row forward, was the best of a determined team, and was well supported by Russell Tuuta. Mel Tihore made a lot of ground with the ball for Hornby, while Jack Davis had a strong game in the second row. Hann and Low were the best of the backs, while John Griffiths, at inside centre, had his best game of the season. Papanui 8, Marist-Western 6 . Papanui: Mike Kerrigan and Alan Whitley tries; MaristWestern: Lyn Koevert try; Tony Wildermoth goal. Referee: Mr K. Bladder.

A fired up Marist side surprised the championship leader with a determined performance. Having been humiliated by Halswell a week ago, Marist played with much more spirit, and the defence of both

teams was outstanding. Papanui led. 4-0, at half-time through a try by Mike Kerrigan, after 16 minutes. Doug Thompson’s testing kick beat the Marist defence and Kerrigan snapped up the loose ball to score wide out. Seven minutes after the interval, Marist took the lead. Mike Charlton broke down the grandstand touchline, kicked ahead and Lyn Koevert toed the ball on to touch down. Wildermoth made no mistake with the conversion.

Gary Taie, the man of the match, began the movement which won the match for Papanui. The ball went on from Thompson for Alan Whitley to score the decisive try. Mike Godinet (Papanui) and Willie Tauwhare had an absorbing hooking duel, Godinet winning 18 of the 28 scrums, but Marist fared better in the penalty count, receiving 11 to Papanui’s four. Bryce Nicholson and Mike Williams had impressive games in the Papanui back-line while Carl Wild had a fine match for Marist in the forward struggle, and was well supported by Gary Leek and the improving Trevor Sillick.

John MacGougan had his usual sound game at centre while Koevert and Wayne Christie had their moments on the wings.

PREMIERSHIP POINTS P W D L F A Pt Papanui 10 8 0 2183103 16 Hornby 11 7 1 3189137 15 Addington 11 7 0 4178121 14 Sydenham 10 6 1 3135123 13 Kaiapoi 11 5 2 4146131 12 Linwood 11 4 1 6123158 9 Marist 11 4 0 7140204 8 Eastern 10 3 1 6113134 7