Ellesmere rugby matches

Press, 1 July 1985, Page 22

Ellesmere rugby matches

Although having a distinct territorial advantage for 75 per cent of the match, Kirwee made hard work of beating Prebbleton, 14-9, in an encounter played in ideal conditions in the Ellesmere rugby competition on Saturday. Both teams were guilty of taking the wrong option on far too many occasions, and showed a decided reluctance to use their back-lines.

One such decision by Prebbleton could have cost it the chance of pulling the match out of the fire. A kick by lan Shinn, the Kirwee halfback, was fielded by Paul Williams, the Prebbleton fullback, who decided to run to his left With three men outside him, two of them as overlaps, he kicked for touch thus extinguishing the one last chance Prebbleton had.

Both teams were too predictable in their approach to the game, thus helping the opposition to set a defensive screen which was seldom beaten. The one area of play in which Prebbleton had an advantage was in the line-outs, but little or no progress was

made from this supply of ball. Kirwee held a vice-like grip on the mauls and rucks, this primarily through the agency of Don Hayes, where he was ably supported by Greg Dawson, Alex McKenzie, and Kevin Wild.

In the loose, Hayes was again a dominant figure with solid support coming from Gavin Henderson and Andy Stewart. The Kirwee backs mainly had to make their own opportunities, John Grigg and Peter Fitzgerald probably being the pick. For Prebbleton, Alex Wilson, Russell Mackie, and Freddie Werahiko were the best of the forwards with Bruce Purdon, Neil Munro, and Williams being the best backs. The Kirwee tries were the result of excellent driving and rucking and blindside play. Kirwee 14 (A. Tilson, J. Grigg tries, I. Shinn two penalties), Prebbleton 9 (B. Purdon three penalties). Referee: Mr S. McKnight. Other results were:

Senior A.— Southbridge 31, Burnham 6; Lincoln 27, Peninsula 9; Kirwee 14, Prebfl’eton

9; Leeston 15, Darfield 10. Section B: Burnham 21, Irwell 0; Sheffield 42, Dunsandel 3; Lincoln 6, Diamond Harbour 3; West Melton 12, Waihora 10. Senior reserve.— United 6, Kirwee 0; Southbridge 26, Leeston 4; Prebbleton 10, Dunsandel 6; Selwyn 13, Burnham 0.

Under-21: Waihora 26, Prebbleton 3; Lincoln 12, Springston 3. Under-18: West Melton 13, Leeston 0. Under-16: Dunsandel 18, Southbridge 0; Lincoln 20, Darfield 0; Waihora 20, Prebbleton 4.

Under-14: Prebbleton 4, Leeston 0; West Melton 34, Lincoln-Springston 8. Under-12 (east): Lincoln Red 36, Prebbleton 4; Southbridge 26, Peninsula 4. Under-12 (west): Darfield 34. Springston 0; Bumham 16. Leeston 12.

Under-10 (east): Leeston 35. Irwell 0; Prebbleton 13 Waihora 0; Lincoln 38, Peninsula 16.

Under-10 (west): Springstor 20, Darfield Red 6; Darfield Blue 22, West Melton 12.