Six senior rugby teams unbeaten after dull round

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 28

Six senior rugby teams unbeaten after dull round

Six senior teams remained unbeaten in the C.S.B. senior rugby competition after a round of largely indifferent football on a warm nor’westerly day in Christchurch yesterday.

The feature match, between Marist and Albion at Rugby Park, was a dreadful spectacle, and there was widespread relief among long suffering spectators when the whistle sounded for the last time.

At Linfield Park, old timers asserted that they could not remember a more bumbling display of senior rugby, as Linwood and Lincoln College ground their way agonisingly through 80 lethargic minutes.

Christchurch, a fortunate two-point winner over Hornby, played as though its men had been for a 20km run before the kick-off. The wonder of it all is that these three teams, Marist, Lincoln College, and Christchurch, are among the joint leaders. Belfast, Burnside, and High School Old Boys are the other unbeaten sides, and University recovered from its first round setback by stopping New Brighton. The win was accomplished without four of the regular University forwards. Shirley spelled Alan Lindsay and Kerry Mitchell, but still beat Merivale-Papanui in an uninspiring game. And in a match in which two Sydenham front row forwards were sent to the sin bin, Burnside drew clear

comfortably after a lot of bumbling play. The Cellar Ghost Player of the Day at Rugby Park was the Marist half-back, Steve Baker. Marist 13, Albion 7

Marist: G. McWhirter try; G. Coffey two dropped goals; P. Gibson dropped goal. Albion: B. Winks try; G. James penalty goal. Referee, Mr M. L. Fitzgibbon.

Supposedly the feature match, the late game at Rugby Park between Marist and Albion was one big yawn. The referee spent much of the game beeping on the whistle and his final blast brought sighs of relief from the spectators who had stayed bravely to the bitter end.

The most spectacular and only memorable moment of the match occurred from the kick-off. Albion received a penalty in the opening minute and Grant James sliced the goal kick woefully wide.

But his back-line had followed up smartly, the ball was retrieved by Albion, and Brent Winks fought his way over the line to score. That unusual and bright start served only to deceive. Both teams made a dreadful hash of passing the ball, errors cropped up in abundance and one attempt out of 10 between the two goal-kickers succeeded.

The most stirring incident involved a “dust up" which worked its way across the

sideline and resulted in Adrian Kennedy (Marist) and Phil Dixon (Albion) spending a lengthy time in the sin bin. Marist’s try came from a smart move which outfoxed Albion’s cover defence, but constructive rugby such as that manoeuvre was seen far too little.

Murray Davie had the better of Pat O’Bryne (Marist) in a private front-row battle, and Chris Langsdale worked tirelessly on the flank for Albion. Winks, a swift mover, was easily the best back.

Marist played far below its best, but Pat O’Gorman for his line-out work and Steve Barker for his elusiveness gained marks for endeavour. University 19, New Brighton 13 University: R. Taylor, C. McDowell, U. Herman tries; A. McMaster two conversions, penalty goaL New Brighton: R. Gibson, W. Burleigh tries; T. Smart two conversions, penalty goal. Referee: Mr T. F. Doocey. Not often does New Brighton clearly have the measure of University in the battle for forward power. However, it did control forward play in the curtain-raiser at Rugby Park, but still lost the match.

University can thank its backs for a hard-earned win in a bright, pulsating match. Two of its three tries, including the winning one 10 minutes from the finish, came from sweeping movements which showed the value of fast handling, good

passing and excellent support play. Andrew McMaster, whose entrance into the University backline created the break which led to the student’s last try, will be thankful a try was scored. He had badly missed Wayne Burleigh, whose solo try mid-way through the second half, gave the seasides a two-point lead. The New Brighton towards, led by Paul Bell at the front and Peter McLaren at the back, had University backpedalling at rucks and tn mauls, 'although the scrum was more than a match for New Brighton. Winning the line-outs 16-10 was an added bonus for New Brighton, but in spite of a lot of chances it lacked a little polish to finish off much good work. University had a very assured back-line and the ability of the centre, Robert Taylor, to link with wings proved invaluable to the team. The nimble and tough flanker, Colin Currey, spearheaded the forward effort. Burleigh and the full-bad:, Phil Holstein, were the best of a New Brighton back-line which was unable to complement the sterling work of the forwards. Christchurch 9, Hornby 7 Christchurch: R. T. Latham three penalty goals. Hornby: W. Pirini try; P. Cross penalty goal. Referee: Mr D. Winton.

There was never even a faint possibility that Christchurch would recapture the spirit of its palmy days of a decade ago. The side scratched its way to an unconvincing win against a lively Hornby side before a vociferous Denton oval crowd, and did not generate any wild hopes of reaching the top eight. Had Hornby used the wind deftly in the second half, Christchurch might well have lost. The home side led on two, occasions, scored the only try, mounted some punishing drives, and produced an excellent second half blind-side thrust which just failed to yield a try. But it made too many errors in the heat of the moment.

The Christchurch forwards won some good second phase ball and dominated the set pieces. But the back-line lacked guile and it was left Io the goal-kicking of Rod Latham, who succeeded three times out of six attempts, to bring the side to victory.

Wayne Tinker and Graeme Kench combined well behind the pack, and Viv de Beus was an effective ball winner at No. 3 in the line-out. Jock Hobbs had an unobtrusive game, but effected some good saves. Phil Cross, a long-legged No. 8, had a rollicking first quarter for Hornby, and Chris Lowe and Dave Scadden performed with distinction throughout. At centre, Toby Anderson tackled and ran with zest. However, the game was marred by a number of illtempered incidents off the ball, and at one stage Mr Winton issued a warning to both captains. In the second half John Currie, a Christchurch lock, was sent to the sin bin. Old Boys 28 Lyttelton 3 Old Boys; D. Park, K. Flynn, H. McPhail, D. Purdon tries; J. Sprott three conversions, two penalty goals. Lyttelton: D. Couch penalty goal. Referee: Mr G. J. Braithwaite. , Old Boys had too much power and control up front and, in the second half, too much finesse in the backs for a game Lyttelton side at Lyttelton.

By the end of the game, Lyttelton had gained a slight edge in the line-out count and it was only a little behind in its share of second-phase ball. Old Boys, however, had a big advantage in possession from scrums, and this was a key factor in the outcome of the match. To make matters worse, Lyttelton’s meagre share came mainly on the back pedal. Old Boys did well at the front of the line-outs, through Rob Mclntosh and Ken Pope, to counter the presence of Hud Rickit further back. With his controlled deflections, Rickit was Lyttelton’s main supplier of line-out ball, although Andrew Gilmore and Bruce McLaughlin popped up profitably at times. The Old Boys backs looked promising at times in the first half, and went close to completing good rushes, but it was not until after the interval that they were able to put together a scoring movement. Darryl Park cruelly exposed the inadequacies of Lyttelton’s cover defence in scoring the first try. Old Boys’ best all-round back on the day, however, was the first five-eighths, James Leggat who displayed a wide repertoire of skills.

Jeremy Sprott kicked five goals from six attempts, in-

eluding a penalty from over 40m and conversion from the side-line. In contrast, Lyttelton’s Philip Beecroft missed four attempts. It was a sad day for Lyttelton, in front of a large crowd of supporters. The forwards were willing enough in general filay, but the backs showed ittle finesse despite the presence of Victor Simpson at centre. Burnside 25,

Sydenham 6 Burnside; R. Penny, D. McGuire, K. Johnston, D. Farrant tries; D. McKinnel three conversions, penalty goal. Sydenham: B. Nicol two penalty goals. Referee: Mr G. D. Morrison.

Burnside showed Sydenham what discipline was all about when it beat the red-and-blues 25-6 at Burnside Park.

Sydenham contributed to its own demise with some players being penalised for back-chat-ting the referee and showing ill-temper in rucks and mauls. Two Sydenham players, the hooker, Bernie Ryan, and the prop, John Tapiata, spent time m the sin bin after separate incidents in mauls. Burnside led 9-6 at the break. It had the advantage of the wind and the sun in the second half and started to mount continual pressure on the Sydenham line. The backs made considerable ground with some sharp moves. The first five-eighths, Deane McKinnel, and the full-

back, David Farrant, in particular, made some probing runs.

Farrant scored an excellent try after sparking a backline move in his own half, and then being on hand to take the ball near the Sydenham line and score under the posts. The Burnside loose forward trio of Danny McGuire, Robin Penny, and Kevin Johnston, worked hard and each was rewarded with a try. The Sydenham forwards battled gamely throughout the match, faring particularly well in the line-outs where the lock, John Arbuckle, took some fine takes.

Mark Timms, the first fiveeighths, was inclined to run a little too far with the ball and this resulted in problems for his outside backs.

the tackle play came to a standstill while untidy rucks and mauls developed. Neither the backs of Lincoln College nor Linwood had the speed to outflank the defence, and the ability to draw the man before passing was entirely lacking. To compound the problems, the handling was mediocre and the kicking aimless.

However, the wing, Rhys Zondag, distinguished himself with several fine runs and the full-back, Brent Nicol, always looked safe under the high ball. Lincoln College 9, Linwood 3

Lincoln College: J. Earl try; P. Ryan conversion, penalty goal. Linwood: R. Curd penalty goal. Referee: Mr T. M. Hannan.

The enthusiasm of both sets of forwards could not be questioned, but few of the line-outs resulted in clean possession and the ball came too slowly from rucks and mauls to be of any value. There was only one bright spot in the second spell when play ranged three times up and down the field, but this ended with the inevitable mishandling. The only try came from a kick and chase by Lincoln after an abortive Linwood attack.

rucks, line-outs and mauls, Belfast capped a convincing forward display noteworthy for its power and commitment.

The backs showed mobility and a willingness to run the ball even from the most defensive of positions. Wayne Smith showed flair and speed, but was mainly content to make space for Paul O'Donovan, the Belfast second five-eighths. O’Donovan took advantage of a feast of possession, particularly in the first half, dictating play with some hard running and, when the occasions permitted, chipping ahead to the wings. A lock, Andy Mills, was all fire and brimstone in the rucks and mauls for Belfast. He constantly thwarted any suburbs attempts to gain possession from these facets of play. Mills was useful in the line-outs, making some fine takes and driving through the Suburbs defence on occasions. Suburbs endeavoured to stem the tide in the second half with a more determined effort in the tight. Mike Burke and Barry White found a few chinks in the Belfast defensive armour, but due to lack of support Suburbs were unable to cross the Belfast line. On the rare occasions he received possession the Suburbs fullback, Neil Mac Kay, ran with determination.

conversions. Merivale-Papanui: K. Whale, R. Smith tries; A. Boyd two penalty goals. Referee: Mr G. T. Barrett.

Error followed error as inexorably as night follows day at Linfield Park and the result was a match almost completely devoid of the skills one would associate with senior rugby. The only facet which reached an acceptable standard was the tackling, but after

Conditions were perlect for fast, running rugby but very little was to ne' seen on Nunweek Park.

The first half produced a hard forward struggle with Merivale having a slight edge in both the line-outs and scrums. Merivale started strongly, putting pressure on Shirley from the start with hard driving forward play. The No. 8 for Merivale-Papanui, Bud Hepi, led by example with some strong running, backingup and some fine jumping in the line-outs.

Shirley, on the other hand, fared better in loose play and was able to take advantage of its chances. The score at the turnaround, 15-3, to Shirley, was flattering. The second spell produced a better effort from Shirley. It' was able to gain better possession from set pieces which > enabled the backs to have more room in which to move. The combined effects of good backing-up and more fire in • the forwards, produced a far more satisfying second half for Shirley. Players of note for Shirley were Barry Hammersley and Waka Ama, who produced some good strong driving play. Colin Williamson looked particularly good on attack.

For Lincoln the best players were the forwards, Guy Irwin and Tom Coughlan, while Peter Ryan was a lively fiveeighths. Rue Koha and Brent Whakataka showed up in the Linwood pack. Belfast 20, Suburbs 6

Belfast: P. O’Donovan, W. Smith, N. Don tries; B. Hutchison conversion, two penalty goals. Suburbs: N. McKay two penalty goals. Referee: Mr G. Anderson.

In an enterprising, open game, Belfast proved superior in most facets of play. Denying Suburbs possession in the

Shirley 21, Merivale-Papanui 14 Shirley: B. Stringer, D. Grenfell, P. Trask tries; C. Williamson dropped goal, three