Lewis’ try seals Country victory

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 48

Lewis’ try seals Country victory

4 A late try by the Canterbury Country centre, Greg Lewis, earned his side a 13-9 victory over Southland Sub-Unions at the Southbridge Domain yesterday in a representative rugby match fought largely in the forwards.

So keen and even was the battle up front that the ball was seldom moved through either backline and it was not until lOmin remained on the clock that Canterbury Country was able to pierce a resolute Southland defence.

After a long maul on the Southland goal-line the ball was moved wide to Lewis who doubled round for a pass and forced his way over in the corner for a 13-9 lead. Robbie Deans missed the conversion attempt, one of three misses from the fullback, who achieved a 50 per cent success rate by chipping over three simple penalties earlier. I- j .• f: • Deans goaled after five minutes and 20/ minutes for a 6-0 lead, a margin deserved as Canterbury Country had the edge in the early stages. ' The experienced Southland halfback, Wayne McCallum, who had a lively match behind his pack, reduced the deficit with a fine penalty from near the sideline and, after peans goaled again just after the half-time break, the accurate boot of McCallum tied the score at 9-9 . with lOmin remaining, - it - Southland rallied well after McCallum, an astute general, gave in a share of the game and spent lOmin camped near the Canterbury/Country line. It did’ .-hot have the finesse to/breach a solid defence ,and Canterbury Country/ responded ; with some strong attacks in the closing/stages. | Lewis’s try carne/ after sustained pressure and if Deans had not missed an easy penalty attempt the final? margin could have beeii more. It- was only in the final minutes/ that the home side ran the ball.

The /right wing, J. J. Lloyd /showed plenty of dash in one touchline surge,/ the only time he got the ball with space in front/of him, while the rest ,bf the backs must have:wondered why they were' on the paddock at times. \

Scorers: Canterbury Country 13 (Greg Lewis try, Robbie Deans three penalty goals) bt Southland Sub-Unions 9 (Wayne McCallum three penalty goals).

In the curtain-raiser Southland Sub-Union Colts pipped Canterbury Country Colts, 14-