Up-tempo Hurunui downs Town XV

Press, 30 July 1986, Page 37

Up-tempo Hurunui downs Town XV

In a fast but sometimes scrappy game, Hurunui beat Town senior rugby reserve by 23-10 at Culverden on Sunday. It was even in the first half, with Town attacking from the start, but missing and early penalty when a G. Sprott kick hit the upright. The first points were scored by Hurunui, when G. Barnes, prop, crashed over after nine minutes for an unconverted try. Hurunui scored again after 16 minutes when P. Fitzpatrick broke from a scrum to score an unconverted try. Town’s first points were scored after 35 minutes when an excellent weaving run by the centre, M. Brown, resulted in the wing, G. Smith, scoring an

unconverted try. Right on half-time Sprott kicked a penalty to narrow Hurunui’s lead to 10-7. Both teams tried to use their backs in open rugby in the second half, Hurunui’s combining in some good moves. Hurunui scored again after some constant pressure with a prop, A. Taylor, scoring and Fitzpatrick converting from wide out for a 16-7 lead.

Sprott kicked another penalty for Town after 18 minutes, and Hurunui retaliated after another nine when A. Dalzell dived over from a tap penalty for an unconverted try. Hurunui completed the scoring with another penalty by Fitzpatrick. Outstanding Hurunui forwards were Dalzell, the

flanker, and G. White, the No. 8, who controlled the back of the line-out. G. Hamilton and Simmons made some good driving runs for Town.

In the backs, B. Black, half-back, and Fitzpatrick, first five-eighths, combined well, while M. Brown made some penetrating runs at centre. The referee was Mr B. Dunn. In a colts match, Town beat Hurunui by 17-7. For Town, A. Jones scored a try and two penalties, D. Murray a field goal, and R. Ellis a try. For Hurunui M. Power scored a try, and D. McPherson a penalty.

Junior Advisory Board grade matches were cancelled because of bad conditions.