Big win in early game

Press, 7 May 1984, Page 44

Big win in early game

The well-drilled Australian under 17 rugby side had little difficulty in overcoming a battling Canterbury Country under 17 combination in the early curtainraiser at Lancaster Park yesterday. Fielding a pack that was cohesive on the drive and skilled in line-out play, and a back division that moved the ball smartly, the Australians ran out handsome winners, 34-0.

The powerful No. 8, Lance Wellington, was a strong force in general play while the locks, David Hancock and William Sargeson, soared high and profitably in the line-outs. The ebullient half-back, Ricky Stuart, scored two tries as did Anthony Grigson, the captain and a sharp mover at first five-eighths.

Australia’s other tries came from Gary Larsen and Stephen Antonelli. Stuart kicked a conversion, the other points coming from a conversion and two penalty goals by Dean Ulgiati. In the second curtain-

raiser, a slightly stronger second-half performance by Canterbury Maoris enabled them to snatch a 14-10 victory from a very able Western Australian side in an entertaining match. There was a strong New Zealand presence in the Australian touring side; the visiting wings in yesterday’s match were Tony Arnold, who has played first-class rugby for Counties and Taranaki, and Paul Shennan, a former Christchurch senior player. Both men had their moments on attack. Paul Carter, an Australian under 21 representative, and his fellow prop, Brian Ruddell, gave the side much of its drive in the tight. Peter Chadwick, of imposing build, was a more then useful lock and Peter Lewis played well off the side of the scrum.

For the Maoris, Dean Couch popped up twice from full-back to complete the side’s try-scoring movements, Shane Menihera showed dash at centre and Gordon Ngatai was a

speedy left wing who also showed skill under the high ball. Hud Rickit, for his work in the line-outs, and Brent Whakataka, in the loose, also stood out for the Maoris. Scorers:— Canterbury Maoris: Dean Couch two tries; Mardy Vincent two penalty goals. Western Australia: Peter Lewis a try; Graeme Hocking two penalty .goals.