Rugby League Marist reaches Gore Cup final

Press, 5 September 1983, Page 20

Rugby League Marist reaches Gore Cup final

Marist-Western Suburbs, •seemingly defying all logical odds, reached the final of the Gore Cup rugby league series when it beat Linwood, 44-21, at the Show Grounds yesterday.

Late last month Marist completed its premiership commitments by conceding 70 points to Hornby and finished in a decidedly modest eighth position. But now it has eliminated Eastern Suburbs and Linwood in successive appearances to become Kaiapoi’s challenger for the cup.

There was an incisiveness in Marist’s performance, and an enthusiasm for supporting the player in possession, which was not frequently evident during the winter. It exposed the limitations in Linwood’s cover defence with seven tries, most of them spectacular efforts.

Although the Marist centre, Michael Charlton, claimed an early try, his team was ahead by only 8-7 just before half-time. The margin was increased to 147 when Tony Wildermoth added a converted try, but Linwood had the comfort of having the brisk wind at its back for the last 40 minutes.

However, Linwood was to spend much of the third quarter scuffing the firm turf behind its own try-line as Marist rattled on another 18 points in just 11 minutes. Linwood rallied to score three more tries, but the competitive nature had been removed from the match. Craig Todd, one of the few

Linwood players to make a favourable impression, touched down twice — in his last two games against Marist he has scored five tries. But it was the Marist right wing, Lyn Koevoet, who held centre stage in the second spell. Koevoet might not have the smoothest of running styles, but he left four opponents bedazzled and beaten on his path to his first try. Not long afterwards Koevoet was giving a different exhibition of his foot-work ,as he twice punted ahead and retrieved the ball to out-pace his pursuers.

His two-try effort was emulated by Chris Charlton, another effective attacker : seen in the dual roles of centre and second-row. Chris Charlton’s excellent

all-round display earned him the “man of the match” award. Much of the credit for Marist’s early lead rested with Ken Norton. It was Norton’s quick stepping in midfield which wrenched open the gaps in the Linwood line-up and led to Marist’s first three tries. If the Marist backs contributed the bulk of the points, the forwards carried out their duties successfully. Carl Wild and Gary Leek were especially adept in •evading the tackles of their markers and instigating manoeuvres from which the back-line prospered. Linwood had possession from 11 of the 16 scrums, only to waste it at an even faster rate.

Perhaps the proudest member of the Marist camp at full-time was the manager, Ron Hesford. Since Mr Hesford was appointed to the position in 1979, his teams have had a part to play on every grand final day. Next Sunday Marist meets Kaiapoi not only for the Gore Cup, but also the Desmond-Rogers Memorial Challenge Trophy.

Details.-Marist-Western Suburbs 44 (C. E. W. Charlton two, L. Koevoet two, M. Charlton, A. Wildermoth, M. McVicar tries; Wildermoth eight goals) beat Linwood 21 (C. Todd two, R. W. Dalzell, L. E. Hudson tries; Hudson two goals; M. Belcher field goal). Half-time, 14-7. Scrums, Linwood, 11-5. Penalties, 10-10. Referee, Mr S. O’Grady.