Addington, Linwood win league games

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 4

Addington, Linwood win league games

Addington has joined Hornby as one of only two unbeaten sides in the Canterbury rugby league premiership following last night’s games at the Addington Show Grounds. Addington’s 27-20 win over Marist-Western Suburbs was not achieved without a few hiccups and indeed it looked as though it could be in for a pasting midway through the second spell. Down 10-20, Addington had to call on its deepest reserves to dredge up tries to Lawrence Hale, John Rangihuna and Dean Fisher before it could relax. Marist looked competent going forward but allowed the holes in its defences to show at the vital times, two of which led to tries by Hale and Fisher. The game was locked 10-10 at half-time after Marist had surprised an Addington side without many of its regulars, absent because of representative duty tonight. The wing, Wayne Munday, had caused Addington no end of problems with his bullocking charges down the line while Derek McLaughlin was easily the best forward on the field. Both scored tries in a convincing Marist effort with Gerard Stokes and John McGougan also standing out Addington's determination, largely brought about through excellent service to the outside backs from Rangihuna and scrum-half, Brent Austin, was responsible for the victory. When the chips were down they responded with Willie Apelu also running hard from

the wing. His charges upfield later earned him the player of the day award. Brendon Perfect was everywhere in defence and both second rowers, Nigel Hermanson and Thomas Miki, gave the Marist defence plenty to think about. The early game was a dour affair with Linwood just edging out Eastern Suburbs 1210. The game was played largely in midfield and brought the crowd to its feet perhaps once, when the Linwood centre, John Rees, -raced through to score a good try. Eastern Suburbs moved the ball wide just once, early in the game, and looked very good. It was a pity that it ignored the pace of Gary Nicholas on the wing who looked dangerous on the rare occasions he did get the ball. Up 6-2 at half-time, Linwood stretched its lead to eight points soon after the restart and kept ahead of a determined late Eastern charge. Eastern’s Henry Beta was named player of the day. Results:— Addington 27 (Malcolm Taylor, John Rangihuna, Brendon Perfect, Lawrence Hale, Dean Fisher tries, Phil Cross two goals, Taylor a goal, Rangihuna a field goal), Marist-Western Suburbs 20 (Wayne Munday, John McGougan, Robert Schwass, Derek McLaughlin tries, McGougan a goal, Michael O’Donnell a goal). Linwood 12 (John Rees, Ross Le Breton tries, Dave Perkins two goals), Eastern Suburbs 10 (Henry Beta, Mike Collett tries, Dave Roberts a goal).