Rugby Top senior contenders hold places

Press, 22 June 1987, Page 22

Rugby Top senior contenders hold places

Leading positions were unchanged as the first-round senior rugby competition for the Trust Bank Cup rumbled on towards it logical conclusion on Saturday. The unbeaten University was understandably a little below expectations after having downed its two closest rivals, Marist and Shirley, in the preceding rounds, but it still strung together six tries in beating Sydenham, 37-4. Shirley held second place with a 43-7 hammering of Merivale, and Marist breached Burnside’s defences many times in the second half to rack up nine tries, seven of which were converted by Tony Ziolo, making a welcome return after a long spell off through injury. A 17-9 victory over Albion kept Linwood in fourth place, and Christchurch put Hornby through the mincing machine to win by a staggering 44-7 in a seven-try blitz. But it was joined in fifth place by its traditional adversary. High School Old Boys, who carried out an effective demolition job on Lincoln College, winning 38-3. Dennis Trembath, the big lock cutting loose at centre, scored three tries in this match, and Tony Gill also gained three for Shirley against Merivale. Shirley’s goal-kicker, Colin Williamson, notched 19 points in this Nunweek Park encounter, and other good totals were achieved by Paul Treves (University) 17, Rod. Latham (Christchurch) 16, Ross Adler, for a beaten New Brighton side against Belfast, 15, and John Whelan (Old Boys) 14. Ziolo, of course, also scored 14 for Marist.

The Marist half-back, Howie Hinton, was adjudged "Player of the Day” at Lancaster Park, and a New Brighton lock, Kevin Towart, gained a similar honour at Rugby Park. Points are:

Marist 53, Burnside 17 Marist: J. McKendry (2), H. Hinton (2), S. Hansen (2), C. Hay (2), M. Vincent tries; A. Ziolo seven conversions, penalty goal. Burnside: K. Gibbons, D. Schwaiger, W; Gugich tries; J. Preston conversion, S. Philpott penalty goal. Half-time: 7-9. Referee: Mr T. R. Marshall.

After stumbling its way through the first 40 min, Marist cut loose with a vengeance in the second spell of this Lancaster Park game. At half-time Marist had just one try, but it added eight more in the second spell, four, all converted, in the first 12 miri. ■’ ■■

To some - extent Marist’s dramatic improvement was aided by Bumside's hesitancy on the tackle, but at the same time there was much to admire in the way Marist kept spinning the ball.

The forwards were' almost as agile as the backs, and two or three of the tries came from long movements in which the Burnside defence was simply run ' into the ground. Burnside played the first and last quarters reasonably well, but between times it had some bad lapses of concentration and the backs really had an off day. Howie Hinton, the new Marist half-back, was the game’s outstanding player. His passing was swift and sure and he made some lovely dabs on his own. Steve Hansen, at second fiveeighths, had his best game for some time, especially with his hard, straight running, and Mark Vincent, on the right wing, added to his growing reputation. For his try Vincent did a very good impersonation of John Kirwan as he got outside his opposite and then surged away from him.

Another feature of Marist’s play was the superb goalkicking of Tony Ziolo, who because of an injury had not played since Easter.

After a slow start the Marist forwards took control, with the flanker, Tony MacDonald, a key man in keeping the play fluid. Adrian Kennedy was strong on-the burst and it may have been no accident that Marist’s mastery started about the same time that Tala Kele came on to the field.

Rob Penney was Burnside’s most industrious forward, while Les McCormack was the pick of the line-out jumpers. But the back play was very patchy, with only Michael Lake putting any pressure on the Marist defence. Belfast 27, New Brighton 19 Belfast: A. Bolt, D. Reid, J. Patrick, W. Chilton, J. Retallick tries; R. MacDonald two conversions; A. Marriott dropped goal. New Brighton: D. Avery, R. Adler tries; Adler conversion, three penalty goals. Half-time: 16-12. Referee: Mr M. L. Fitzgibbon.

Five tries to two represents a convincing victory for Belfast, but that bald statistic rather obscures the fact that New Brighton competed fiercely and well at Rugby Park.

Down 16-3 after 22 minutes. New Brighton fought back admirably to reduce the deficit to four points at the interval. Belfast scored three times in the second half (two tries and a dropped goal) but each event‘triggered a spirited resurgence from New Brighton. The side would have sorely embarrassed Belfast had it been able to produce its best efforts consistently. Kevin Towart, a fiery lock for New Brighton, won the “Player of the Day” award despite leaving the field injured with 16min remaining. If his was a fine display, there was another from the young No. 8, Darren Avery, who scored a richly deserved try to cap a compelling display.

Wayne Burleigh, at first five-eighths for New Brighton, gave a heady display for the most part, arid his wellplaced “bombs” had Belfast under a lot of pressure. Belfast might have received the “Player of the Day” award through its halfback, Greg McFadden, had the youngster not retired injured 4min into the second spell. McFadden performed his ordinary duties very well and a brilliant solo run by him from his own 22 set Jeff Patrick up for a rousing try. When the Belfast forwards got going on the drive, they looked very good. David Reid figured often in the charges, along with Andrew Mills and Alistair Bolt, while the peppery flanker, Barry Robertson, also turned in a sterling effort. Hud Rickit, a soaring figure in the line-outs, and Warren Chilton, off the back of the scrum, were other Belfast forwards to stand out. It was no aberration that four of Belfast’s five tries were scored by forwards. University 37, Sydenham 4 University: D. Atkins, V. Simpson, G. Jones, A. Simcock, S. Harding, P. Treves, tries; Treves, two conversions, three penalty goals. Sydenham: l N. Orsborne, try. Half-time: 18-0. Referee: Mr S. P. Garland.

Although University was clearly the better side, Sydenham put on a brave showing on Lancaster Park South and more than held its own in the third quarter. Credit for Sydenham’s fine play must go to the forwards who never gave in to their heavier and more experienced opponents. In the tight play, particularly, they worked like Trojans, and it was only in the loose that they had to bow to their speedier and stronger opponents.

The close marking of the Sydenham backs also upset University’s pattern of play and it was only in the last few minutes that University showed its true form. The

University backs had an unhappy day, handling errors nullifying many promising movements. Andrew Simcock was a speedy full-back and Paul Treves a sure-footed five-eighths. Both Mark Timms, a fullback, and Allan Edge, at half, played soundly for Sydenham, while Grant Bull and Dave Pullman stood out in the hard-working pack. Mark Thomson worked well in the tight for University and John McCaw and Gary Jones were quick to the loose ball and aggressive with the ball in hand. Old Boys 38, Lincoln College 3 Old Boys: D. Trembath (3), N. Ward (2), A. Rich tries; J. Whelan four conversions, two penalty goals. Lincoln College: R. Pound penalty goal. Half-time: 24-3. Referee: Mr P. R. Jellyman.

Last Northern winter Nigel Ward played as a wing in France; last Southern winter Dennis Trembath played as a lock in Christchurch. On Saturday they swapped roles, and performed so effectively that their Old Boys side gave Lincoln College one of its biggest losses on its picturesque home ground. Ward was at No. 8, and scored two tries in the last Bmin after being denied chances of three others through earlier infringements. Trembath — “Big Boy” to his supporters — dotted down three times from centre, and almost made it four when he was nudged out in the corner after an 80m burst in the last play of the game.

Ward’s handling skills and his keen sense of anticipation made him a constant worry for College. He profited from the strong commitment by Ken Pope and Andrew Rich, and complemented the gingery thrusts of Stephen Dods on the open side flank.

But Trembath caused even greater problems for College whenever he clasped the ball in his huge hand. Although a former lock, he was the sprint champion at Aranui High School not so many years ago, and on this occasion speed and size formed an unbeatable combination. Invariably, he shed defenders whenever he went on the rampage.

Trailing by 21 points at half-time, Lincoln counterattacked boldly in the third quarter and, although not gaining reward, it held Old Boys . scoreless until 24min. Then Old Boys’ pony pack reasserted itself, pushing Lincoln back in the scrums and winning valuable rucked ball to add three tries.

It was an impressive attacking performance from Old Boys, with Simon Brown and James Leggat providing lively impetus. Yet College was not run ragged. Stalwart contributions from lan Fleming and Andy Owen up front

arid Richard Lough at halfback kept the side on the boil, and Paul Schuler kept a tight rein on the clever Old Boys right wing, David Ellis,

Christchurch 44,

Hornby 7

Christchurch: J. Leota (2), R. Waghorn (2), M. Treweek, V. de Beus, K. Tui tries; R. Latham five conversions, penalty goal, dropped goal. Hornby: S. Goodhue try; S. Bloomfield penalty goal. Half-time, 22-X Referee: Mr T. M. Hannan.

The ability to capitalise on basic errors by being first to the loose ball was the principal factor in Christchurch’s resounding victory over Hornby at Denton Oval.

In contrast to numerous eye-catching displays earlier in the season, Hornby appeared a jaded lot, particularly in the backs, where spilled passes and hesitant tackling caused many problems.

Relishing both height and weight in the forwards, Christchurch gained a two-to-one superiority in both lineouts and scrums.

This gave Mark Treweek and Ray Waghora ample opportunity to range far and wide. Gordon Smith played his usual rousing game in the tight, and no-one outplayed Viv de Beus in the line-outs. With so much good ball to play with, the Christchurch three-quarters, well fed by Max Bremner and Rod Latham, had a field day. Joe Leota and Scott Kilworth displayed impressive pace and deception. Keni Tui made many timely entries into the back line.

No team can play with much confidence when continually on the back foot, as Hornby found out to its cost. As a team not renowned for its defensive skills, it found the hard running of its opponents irksome and some of its tackling could only be described as token. Two lightweights, Trevor Topp and Stu Ward, were the best of the forwards. Linwood 17, Albion 9 Linwood: E. Barrell, A. Britt, G Jones tries; T. Wells conversion, penalty goal. Albion: G. James two penalty goals, dropped goal. Half-time: 3-9. Referee: Mr J. Shuttleworth.

It took nearly 70 minutes before Linwood found the answer to a determined challenge by Albion in this match at Middleton Park. Linwood seemed to have little direction in the first half and even when it got into attacking positions it did not stay there for long, after being sent back by the kicking ofthe Albion first fiveeighths; Grant James.

Albion had most of the possession, winning no fewer than 21 of the 35 line-outs.

But Albion’s backs couldn't match up to the strong running of their opposites. In the last 20 minutes, Linwood became more confident and started running the ball across the muddy park with great success. It was rewarded with three tries in quick succession. A charge-down of a Grant James kick on the Linwood line in the last minute left an open field for Greg Jones, He picked up the ball and ran the full length of the field to score a fine try. The wet conditions were a good reason for Albion to keep the ball in the air, but once Linwood sorted out its attacking moves, Albion had difficulty changing its tactics, especially with a fresh wind which came up late in the game. James was the pick of the Albion players. He made some excellent clearances under pressure. Suburbs 12, Lyttelton 7 Suburbs: B. White try; M. Emerson two penalty goals, conversion. Lyttelton: G. Buckley try; J. Kottier penalty goal. Half-time: 12-6. Referee: Mr D. J. Winton. Lyttelton earned its second competition point of the season, by losing by no more than six points, and was a little unlucky not to have got even closer. The game was one of two distinct halves. Suburbs had the better of the first, with its forwards driving particularly well.. However, the back play was poor and a number of good scoring chances went begging. Suburbs still had most of the possession in the second spell, but Lyttelton made good use of what it could scavenge and.the backs ran with plenty of purpose. They were a little unlucky not to pick up another try in the dying stages. The game was marred by persistent foul play by Suburbs. It has one player, Todd Metcalf, ordered off for a high tackle, after he had been earlier warned for the same offence, and another, Gary O’Malley, was sent to the sin bin for the second successive week.

Barry White stood out in the Suburbs pack. He was never far from the ball and his speed to the breakdowns enabled Suburbs to dictate a lot of the play. Tahu Williams was another impressive Suburbs forward.

The half-back, Craig Mcßeath, was easily the best of the backs, but, unfortunately, much of his good work was undone through lack of support.

Gary Buckley, Tony Bachop and Jeff Geayley all excelled on defence for Lyttelton in the first half, and later they were seen just as favourably in an attacking light. ... •

W L D F A Pt Univ. 12 0 0 530 128 48 Shir. 10 2 0 357 124 41 Marist 9 3 0 373 159 38 Linw. 9 3 0 249 166 37 Chch 8 4 0 354 168 33 H.S.O.B. 7 4 1 319 194 33 Burns. 7 4 1 309 260 30 Lin. Coll. 7 5 0 246 217 29 Belfast . 6 6 0 214 243 24 Syd. 5 7 0 215 263 21 Hornby 5 7 0 251 243 20 Albion 4 8 0 228 228 17 New Bri. 3 9 0 161 247 13 Suburbs 3 9 0 113 348 13 Lytt. 0 12 0 77 527 2 Meri. 0 12 0 70 446 0