Marist-Western earn Gore Cup chance

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 25

Marist-Western earn Gore Cup chance

Marist-Western Suburbs earned a place in Canterbury rugby league grand final day proceedings next Sunday when it beat Kaiapoi, 8-6, at the Addington Show Grounds yesterday.

The win advanced MaristWestern into next Sunday’s curtain-raiser, where it will oppose Sydenham for both the Gore Cup and DesmondRogers Challenge Trophy.

A fine solo try by the second-row forward, Gary Leek, in the tenth minute, provided the points for Mar-ist-Western which enabled it to survive a strong bid by Kaiapoi in the last quarter.

It was not until smin from full-time that Kaiapoi

breached a stout Marist-West-ern defensive line. The hooker, Duanne Little, shouldered his way across to touch down from close range, but Kaiapoi was not able to return to such a favourable attacking position in the time remaining. Having established a territorial advantage before the interval, Marist-Western should have made victory certain in the 20min after the resumption. On several occasions it came within a few metres of the Kaiapoi goalline, only for the player in possession to select the wrong option or for the side’s six tackles to expire. Much of the play was of a scrappy nature. Marist-West-ern’s best work was among

the forwards — Leek, Andy Isle and Carl Wild had exceptionally high work-rates in an admirable combined effort. Kaiapoi left too much to Russell Tuuta. The respective back-lines had fewer opportunities on a tacky No. 2 playing field. Lee Nelson and John MacGougan both produced creditable displays in the Marist-Western halves. Kaiapoi had a chance to force extra time after its converted try, but Steve Dixon was well astray with a penalty attempt from 40m. Marist-Western 8 (G. A. Leek try; D. B. Grant two goals) beat Kaiapoi 6 (D. H. Little try; S. R. Dixon goal). Half-time, 8-0. Referee, Mr N. Turner.