Canty made to pay dearly for sluggish start

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 80

Canty made to pay dearly for sluggish start

By

JOHN COFFEY

But for the waywardness of one all-import-ant pass Canterbury might have crowned a remarkable revival with a stunning victory in the representative rugby league match against Wellington at the Addington Show Grounds last higltt.

Instead, Canterbury paid for its sluggish start with a 32-24 loss that leaves it little chance of advancing past the southern zone section of the national inter-provincial championship. Poor Gary McLauchlan, the Canterbury hooker, will never forget the moment which decided the outcome of what became an enthralling encounter. Canterbury had reduced what had been a 20-point deficit to trail only 24-28. The Canterbury forwards luanched yet another thrust in quest of the winning points, desperate Wellington defence dragging a rampaging Esene Faimalo to the turf only a few metres from the goal-posts. McLauchlan, from dummy half, darted to his left, seeking to link with two team-mates. But his fatal delivery was intercepted by the Wellington centre, Junior Rea, and a few seconds later the wing, Mike Stockdill, touched down for the try which extinguished hopes of a home victory. It would be far too harsh to heap the blame for Canterbury’s demise on to McLauchlan, who had done as much as anyone to turn the direction df a match which was thoroughly one-sided in

the first half-hour. Wellington began with far more authority against a tentative opponent. The Canterbury defence was downright polite in comparison to the physical force that the Wellington players, backs and forwards, applied to their tackles. Particularly effective from loose situations, Wellington capitalised on Canterbury’s errors in handling and positioning to be 22-2 ahead after just 26 minutes. Exceeding its previous record score against Canterbury — 325 in 1966 — seemed a formality that would be achieved embarrassingly quickly. But a totally unexpected transformation came over proceedings as Faimalo and then the centres, Andrew Vincent and Steve Campbell, conspired to give Harry Tipene the opportunities to emulate the two tries of his marker, Aramoana. Canterbury could have faded again in the face of a 65-metres manoeuvre by Stewart, Mike Kuiti and Kemp which ended with the latter touching down beneath the crossbar to restore Wellington to a 28-12 lead. By now Canterbury had lost Steve Mather and Brendon Tuuta because of injuries and Wayne Wal-

lace was captaining his men from scrum-half. Some of the Wellington fire had been doused by Shelford’s replacement at half-time. To its credit, and with the support of about 5000 spectators, Canterbury came again. Tipene, Wallace and Bancroft made the inroads into Wellington’s cover which led to a prop, Ross Taylor, richocheting off an upright to score. Wellington, flustered, erred and Campbell dashed 22 metres for another try after pouncing on a spilled pass. At 24-28 more attacks followed. Vince McCue was forced across the sideline near the corner flag, and from McLauchlan’s second tighthead Wellington managed to survive six pulsating tackles. Both teams were to miss scoring chances as full-time neared, but Canterbury’s mistake was eventually the one to matter most. Octft ils —— Wellington 32 (Victor Aramoana two, lone Sakaria, George Lajpold, Tony Kemp, Mike Stockdill tries; Stockdill four goals) beat Canterbury 24 (Henry Tipene two, Ross Taylor, Steve Campbell tries; Phil Bancroft four goals). Half-time, 22-8. Scrums, Canterbury 9-8. Penalties, Canterbury 9-5. Referee, Mr Paddy Byrne (West Coast).