Canty has rugby win

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 8

Canty has rugby win

It was obvious that there was more at stake than the outcome of a rugby match when Auckland Secondary Schools met Canterbury Secondary Schools at Rugby Park yesterday. Canterbury won the fastmoving match, 19-12, a verygood effort for a side brought together shortly before the event, and there were several players on show before the New Zealand selector, Mr Graham Henry, who did their chances of ' selection at national level no harm at all. Auckland looked good playing with the wind in the first half. There was some splendid line-out leaping by John Jackson, and the backs attacked avidly. The midfield pairing of lona Tusa and Allen Autagavaia showed some classy touches, while the wings, Sio Tai and Amini Tongotongo, were full of running. But Canterbury was by no means overshadowed by’ the

touring side — the score was 3-3 at half-time — and, after conceding a try early in the second half, finished powerfully. Michael McKessar and Richard Currie formed a potent driving force in the tight for Canterbury while Mark Hutchinson and Tony MacDonald were prominent in the loose. The most imposing back on the field was the Canterbury-half-back, Jon Preston, who cleared the ball well with snappy passes. Preston has the added advantage of goal-kick-ing skill; one of his penaltygoals was from 48 metres, albeit with the breeze. For Canterbury, Paul Wisbey and Richard Currie scored tries, Kelwyn Hansen dropped a goal and Jon Preston kicked a conversion and two penaltygoals. For Auckland, Sio Tai scored a try and Wayne Holmes kicked a conversion and two penalty goals.