Holiday time can cause interruptions

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 32

Holiday time can cause interruptions

Holiday time is when coaches find it most difficult to field a full complement of players. This was evident on Saturday when a large number of teams took the field with, in some cases, depleted numbers. Some games were reduced to a seven-a-side to give those boys that turned up a game. If there is a lesson to be learned it must be the importance of being part of a team. Even with some sides short in numbers, last Saturday was notable for some creditable performances. With the break due to bad weather on the previous Saturday most teams were out to put into practice the skills learned in the last two weeks of training. The thirteenth grade game between Suburbs and Linwood provided a pleasing example of this team spirit. The Suburbs hooker, Nathan Hobbs, showed that he was willing to give his best and Craig Wilson at prop continues to be the top tackler in the side. Jason Faafoi at half-back showed he was an intelligent reader of the game which enabled Carl Tagoia to produce a sound all round performance. For Linwood, Ruri Herrick on the wing, would give some senior players problems with his strong straight running, as well as the Watkinson brothers, Kelly and Cori, showed improving skills. Richard Sorenson, the Linwood flanker, gave a professional display of covering, he was closely supported by Karl Thomson who is developing into a strong, aggressive forward.

H. 5.0.8. met New Brighton in a sixteenth grade match. The New Brighton propping combination of Leon Hamond and Lawrence English proved to be very effective. Blair Roberts at half-back gave quality service to his first fiveeights Nathan Simon who was

a steadying influence in the backs. The New Brighton side has its sights set on winning the grade because to date it has not lost a game. H. 5.0.8. Josh Agre was a hard worker in the tight, with Scott Sheridan leading the forwards with his advanced skills. Tim McClurg and Josh Boyce were the pick of the backs. The eighteenth grade A competition featured an interesting clash between Linwood and Belfast D. Justin Berry along with Julian Sciascia indicated the advantage to a team of effective tackling.

This combination laid the groundwork for the Linwood forward effort. Jason Lawn at half-back for Linwood provided sound service to his backs with Levon Anderson showing well developed running skills. Belfast’s John Markholton, at prop, indicated that he could tackle and run straight with the ball. Nathan Piggot had a memorable game at hooker with a polished display. Shanon Cliff and Jonathan Taylor excelled in the art of running and fending-off. The Christchurch-Merivale-Papanui sixteenth grade game was one of those affected by the absence of players, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the players that turned up. For Christchurch, Stephen Wall on the wing showed the opposition how to tackle, and Neill Culpan at first fiveeighths directed play with precision. In the forwards

Matthew Gyde and Michael Morrison worked hard in the tight. Merivale-Papanui was ably served by Paul Smith and James Fitzgerald who, between them, looked after the ball and fed the backs with clean possession. Greg Hughes and Daryl Bremner made efficient use of this ball with some hard running. Another thirteenth grade game was between MerivalePapanui and New Brighton. It was characterised by players with improving skills and consistent effort. In the backs for New Brighton Chris Amos and Wayne Luetete showed good running skills with Scott Patterson and Nick Davies working steadily in support. Merivale’s best players were Aaron Case and Dean Wildermoth, while in the backs Carl Roberts and Allen Clarkson showed skill in their positional play. Another team that seems set to do well in its competition is the Marist eighteenth grade A side. It is unbeaten this season. The captain, lan Mercer, has shown the way with his accurate kicking from the prop position. He has had Rhys Hughes in support at all times. Richard Borrows at half-back is a strong runner with the ball in hand. For Suburbs James Parker and Blair Matthews provided a sound combination in the backs. Mark Edmonds and Stefan Mitchal were the strength in the forwards.