Arch-rivals for final showdown

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 25

Arch-rivals for final showdown

By

JOHN COFFEY

Halswell and Hornby will confront each other in yet another classic rugby league showdown when the Canterbury Lion Red club championship grand final is played at the Addington Show Grounds next Saturday. A 14-10 victory over the more-favoured Addington in yesterday’s preliminary final has catapulted Halswell into its third consecutive grand final. Each time its opponent has been its near-neighbour and arch-rival, Hornby, and the over-all score stands at one title each.

While the Hornby players, having already qualified for the match which will decided possession of the Pat Smith Challenge Trophy, were able to relax among the 2500 spectators, Halswell and Addington indulged in a bruising encounter which became more exciting as it advanced.

Back to something closely resembling its most confident and commanding form, Halswell steadily drew away to lead 6-2 at half-time and 14-2 into the last quarter. But two quick tries by the Addington left wing, Steve Mather, provided Baisweil's supporters with an exceedingly nervous last 7min.

Halswell stunned Addington in the fifth minute when Phil Bancroft and his full-back, Chris White, combined on the short side of a scrum to give their wing, Chris Towart, a clear sprint to touch down. White, however, was not able to continue, having been dazed by Pomare Connell’s

tackle as he passed to Towart. While Halswell led, by six, four and then six, points during the next hour, its firm defence seemed to have matters under control. Addington was an infrequent visitor to Halswell’s 22m area, and seldom threatened to profit when it did get there. What had been a tight tussle was split wide open when the Halswell loose forward, Mark Frame, intercepted 85m from the Addington goal-line. He was prevented from scoring only by a desperate ankle-tap by a fellow representative, Esene Faimalo, 80m upfield, but two play-the-balls later Bancroft dummied, darted and dived over for a try.

Perhaps the increased margin caused Halswell to relax; certainly it brought an immediate response from Addington, which unveiled the most impressive attacking football of the afternoon. Malcolm Taylor, Alex Faimalo and Neil Connell moved possession quickly to give Mather the room to turn inside and capitalise on the first yawning gap left in the Halswell defensive formation; Mather’s second try was also the product of well-timed passing, especially by Robert Moimoi in drawing the last opponent. A series of penalties allowed Addington to surge back into Halswell territory, but the whiff of another battle with Hornby for top honours had reaffirmed the resolve of the men from the rural end of Lincoln Road. Although Bancroft was the recipient of yet another “man of the match” award, he had the luxury of operating on the fringes of a thoroughly committed pack. Addington was permitted the ball from just one of the six first-half scrums, and its bigger and potentially faster forwards were cut down before they gained momentum. Denis Prenderville, Darren Twist and Robbie Rushton gave Halswell a suitably rugged front-line, and Glenn Grut and Frame were outstanding in all facets of the game. So, too, was Murray Pitts, who is relishing the switch from wing to second row. With Jeff Whittaker as

staunch as ever at scrumhalf, and Bancroft causing Addington the utmost anxiety outside him, the Halswell three-quarters did not* want for opportunities. But their Addington counterparts, and especially the wings, Pomare Connell and Mather, could have done with more chances.

Addington never settled into a pattern. There were stages when It sought to batter its way through in midfield, and other periods when possession was relayed speedily to the flanks. Mather’s belated scoring spree suggested the latter was the correct course. If every Halswell forward distinguished himself, the work-load was less evenly spread by Addington. Scott Barrow was especially busy and in the second half Esene Faimalo frequently threatened to break clear. Halswell twice had one player less than Addington. They were even while Towart and Pomare Connell shared LOmin sin-bins; Halswell was down to 12 when its replacement, Phil Ashton, also served a temporary suspension; and Addington had 14 for a couple of minutes when Avon Placid raced onto the field before Alex Faimalo had left. Halswell 14 (C. M. Towart, P. W. Bancroft tries; Bancroft three goals) beat Addington 10 (S. Mather two tries; M. P. Taylor goal). Half-time, Halswell, 6-2. Scrums, Halswell, 75. Penalties, Addington, 15-12. Referee, Mr J. Bergman.