Forwards give Wellington the advantage

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 3

Forwards give Wellington the advantage

Greymouth reporter A heavier and taller forward pack, gaining most of the ball from the scrums, set the basis for a 26-22 Wellington win over West Coast in a representative rugby league fixture at Wingham Park, Greymouth, yesterday afternoon. On the amount of ball it gained, Wellington should have won by a bigger margin. West Coast had two possible tries ruled out within a few minutes part way through the second spell. The Wellington front row, of Whare Henry, Elvis Williams and Simon Taua, were constantly running upfield, ball in hand, forcing West Coast to scamble back in defence.

They towered over the bigger of the Coast forwards, who were led by Alan Atkinson, with support from Bill Downing and Bill Baker. But it was support which was the coast’s chief failure.

Too often, when seemingly on top, the ball carrier

was left without support. The Coast backs, well led by the captain, Chris Menzies, had the better of their counterparts, and Boyd Kilkelly was impressive in the centre.

The Wellington captain, Gerard katene was an effective link, and generally accurate with his goal-kicking. Wellington began at a rush for an early 2-0 lead, but West Coast came back with two tries in the fourteenth and twentieth minutes to hurry to a 12-2 lead, which, at that stage, seemed a comfortable margin. But in the last 12 minutes of the spell, the Wellington backs and forwards combined to run in four tries for a 22-12 halftime lead. It was this burst which led to the final downfall of Coast. Coast came back in the second half, with Behgan running the ball at the oppositions, and with tries to Atkinson and Menzies drew level. About this time it was recalled for a forward pass with the track wide open,

and then failed to ground a rolling ball over the Wellington line. But with 12 minutes to go, the rangy Wellington loose forward, Philip Henry, scored the winning try. The match was played in fine, sunny conditions on a ground which held up after heavy overnight rain and a curtain-raiser. Both sides ran the ball at every opportunity.

By its win, Wellington broke the bogey of Wingham Park. It was the first time that the side from the capital had beaten West Coast at home since 1949. The player of the day awards went to Menzies (West Coast) and Williams (Wellington). Scores: Wellington 26 (Mike Muiti, Eugene de Therry, Andrew Tinau, Wayne Rutene, Philip Henry tries; Gerard Katene three goals). West Coast 22 (Bill Downing, Boyd Kilkelly, Alan Atkinson, Chris Menzies tries, Dan Lee three goals). Half-time 22-12. Referee: Mr K. R. Blackler (Canterbury).