Halswell, Papanui finalists in league
By JOHN COFFEY Neither Halswell nor Papanui has previously been noted for finding their most imposing form in pre-season rugby league competitions, but they put that reputation well behind them at the Show Grounds yesterday. Halswell beat Sydenham, 1910, and Papanui was a 28-10 winner at Linwood’s expense in the semi-finals of the Radio Avon knock-out tournament. Halswell and Papanui will both make their first final appearances when they meet under floodlights on Wednesday evening. Halswell dominated the second and third quarters of its fixture, and Papanui, having led throughout, finished much stronger than its opponent.
In only two games Papanui has scored 96 points. Although Addington did not provide even token opposition the previous week, Papanui clearly has a combination geared to prosper on firm playing fields and one of its new recruits, Tony Wildermoth, has now kicked 16 goals from 19 attempts. Yesterday Wildermoth missed only once to complement the tries provided by the outside backs, Barry Brown, Terry O’Donnell, Mike Kerrigan and Steve Campbell. Another newcomer to the Papanui back-line, Campbell ban much to do with Papanui’s handsome winning margin. Papanui led by only six points late in the final quarter when Campbell made the initial break and allowed Kerrigan an over-lap, and shortly before full-time Campbell broke free of a tackle to touch down.
Not long before that the
situation had looked doubtful for Papanui. David Campbell, the Linwood loose forward, had capped an impressive display by making full use of what little room the Papanui cover-defence gave him along the right touch-line. His try had reduced Papanui’s lead to 16-10.
Hardly had Papanui recovered from that reverse than Linwood was back on the attack. Paul Truscott, on his way to receiving a second successive “player of the day” award, ran clear, but was left without support when confronted by Wildermoth. Linwood's chance went with the concession of a penalty. Papanui has pace aplenty in its three-quarters, and John Blazey’s swiftness around the scrum-base and in linking with his forwards in open play should ensure that their talents are not wasted. Brown’s try had resulted from Linwood’s failing to smother an up-and-under, while O’Donnell skirted round an opponent to score. Only in the last few minutes did Linwood drop out of contention. It has to be content to meet Sydenham in the play-off for third on Wednesday evenLinwood pack worked forcefully for more than an hour before yielding to the conditions which favoured Papanui’s more penetrative backs. Truscott and David Campbell were especially effective.
Two tries, to Phil Bancroft and Murray Pitts, shortly before half-time took Halswell clear of Sydenham at 12-2, and the outcome was virtually sealed when Neil Sinclair finished off an outstanding team
try soon after the restart. Sinclair touched down in the right corner after six Halswell backs had handled in a movement which swept 80 metres from a scrum. Bancroft capped it all with a widelyangled conversion, and it was little consolation for Sydenham that its only try should be contributed by Mike Smith soon afterwards. Sydenham held Halswell to 2-2 in the opening quarter, and its penalty goal was the only scoring of the last 15 minutes. The damage to Sydenham’s prospects had been done by then, Bancroft having darted between two opposing forwards for a typical try and Pitts ranging up from fullback to out-flank the defence on the left
Another prosperous season appears to oe ahead of Halswell. Bancroft typified the positive Halswell attitude to capitalise on any laxness on the part of the Sydenham tacklers, and Halswell again has a sturdy forward formation - one that yesterday particularly benefited from a rousing display by the loose forward, Doug Parker.
Semi-final scorers.Halswell 19 (P. Bancroft, M. Pitts, N. Sinclair tries; Bancroft three goals; J. Whittaker field goal) beat Sydenham 10 (M. J. Smith try; R. Kara three goals). Half-time: 12-2 Referee, Mr K. Ireland. Papanui 28 (B. J. Brown, S. Campbell, T. O’Donnell, M. S. Kerrigan tries; A. J. Wildermoth six goals) beat Linwood 10 (P. W. Truscott, D. A. Campbell tries; L. E. Hudson goal). Half-time: 10-6 Referee, Mr D. Wilson.
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Press, 1 April 1985, Page 27
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688Halswell, Papanui finalists in league Press, 1 April 1985, Page 27
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