Broadhurst kicks winning goal

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 23

Broadhurst kicks winning goal

A field goal by the Kiwi prop, Mark Broadhurst, just before full-time carried lllawarra to a thrilling 12-11 victory over North Sydney during last week-end’s round of Sydney rugby league premiership matches. Field goal fever hit both teams as full-time neared with the scores at 10-10. First, Mitchell Cox succeeded for Norths, then the Illawarra captain, John Dorahy, replied in kind to tie the totals at 11-11.

After two of his team-mates had missed further attempts, Broadhurst succeeded with his first field goal in Australia. The ball wobbled off his big right boot and just cleared the cross-bar centimetres inside an upright. “I’ve fulfilled a lifelong ambition. I’ve always wanted to kick a field goal to win a match,” a grinning Broadhurst said afterwards. The result has dented North Sydney’s chances of qualifying for the championship play-offs and gave Illawarra its seventh win — one more than in its first season last year. Manly-Warringah beat Canberra, 18-12, to increase its lead to six points as the second-placed Parramatta lost to Canterbury-Bankstown, 12-8. Other results: Eastern Suburbs 32, Newtown 10, St George 22, Balmain 6; Cron-ulla-Sutherland 23, South Sydney 16; Western Suburbs 38, Penrith 24.

Points: Manly 38, Parramatta 32, Canterbury 30, Easts 29, Balmain 26, Norths 23, Souths 21, St George 21, Cronulla 18> Canterbury 16, Newtown 14, Penrith 14, Illawarra 14, Wests 12.