Shirley wins cup thanks to High School Old Boys

Press, 11 July 1988, Page 22

Shirley wins cup thanks to High School Old Boys

With a helping hand from High School Old Boys, Shirley won the senior rugby competition’s round-robin series on Saturday and with it the Trust Bank Cup.

It was the first success in the cup competition for Shirley which went into the final round on equal points with its conqueror of the previous week, Linwood. Both teams were drawn on Lancaster Park, with Shirley having the curtain-raiser against the defending champion, University. A 16-point scoring burst in the first 23min ensured Shirley of success and at least a share of the cup. Showered and dressed quickly, the Shirley team occupied the No. 1 stand and gave vocal support to High School Old Boys in the second game against Linwood. Although Linwood tried valiantly, the skills did not quite match the spirit and Old Boys, clearly superior in the forward contest, made most of the running and won comfortably, leaving Shirley as the sole recipient of the cup. The ginger-headed Old Boys flanker, Stephen Dods, received the “player of the day” award for his tireless tackling and excellent support play. At Rugby Park, a similar award went to the improved New Brighton prop, Stu Gray, one of few players to impress in a match against Suburbs which lacked sparkle.

One of the architects of Shirley’s success, Colin Williamson, contributed three tries and 20 points to advance his season’s aggregate beyond 200, but the day’s highest scorer was Kieran Flynn. The Canterbury and Sydenham midfield back compiled 29 points against Hornby to finish one point short of a share in the record for the most points scored in a match.

Although Hornby was on the receiving end of Flynn’s scoring assault, the beaten team had the satisfaction of registering its most tries (four) and most points (20) in a match this season. Marist reached a half-cen-tury against Lincoln College, with the right wing, Mark Vincent, scoring five tries to go with four in the last round, and Mason Robinson reached 100 points with his nine-point contribution in Christchurch’s close victory over Burnside. Albion’s superior forward play took it to victory against Belfast and in the contest to decide bottom place, Merivale inflicted the thirty-ninth successive loss on Lyttelton, although the port team got within two points of a draw. Final points.—

Shirley: C. Williamson (3), M. Young, G. Hill, C. Green, C England tries; Williamson four conversions. University: K. Jones, V. Simpson tries; P. Treves conversion. Halftime: 16-0. Referee: Mr T. M. Hannan.

Shirley’s greater commitment proved the telling factor in the main match at Lancaster Park. Shirley had everything to play for. University was out of contention for the cup, and the difference in attitudes was quite apparent. University was willing to run the ball at every occasion, declining to take relatively easy goal attempts in preference for the running game. But Shirley’s defence was disciplined and its attack was more aggressive and effective.

After 23min Shirley had scored three tries and was ahead, 16-0. Although University camped in Shirley’s half for the rest of the spell it was unable to turn its territorial dominance into points. Two quick tries after the resumption had Shirley’s supporters celebrating and the Cambridge blues had bagged seven by the finish. Shirley’s hardened attitude was typified by its first try after Bmin. The University flanker, Gary. Jones, broke from a scrum on his line but was enveloped by the Shirley loose forwards and the ball was wrestled free for the Shirley flanker, Mark Young, to plunge over. Two minutes later, Andrew Simcock, at fullback for University, dithered long enough for the Shirley forwards to bowl him over, gather the ball and Gavin Hill sprinted clear.

Shirley did not allow University such liberty. The tight forwards did their job well and Na Katae, Hill and Young were three outstanding loose forwards. With the forwards establishing a firm platform, the halfback, Allan Lindsay, was able to distribute the ball without being subjected to persistent pressure and he made several explosive breaks himself.

Wayne Steadman and Ken Wells were sure on defence and made headway on the wings, while Craig Green’s strength was never better underlined than when he broke three tackles to score Shireley’s third try. University never stopped trying but the cohesion was

sometimes missing. Tavita Sio and George Latu charged purposefully into the defence but found few flaws in it, while Jones did his best in the loose. Victor Simpson made some of the best breaks of the game but the Shirley defence usually swallowed him before support arrived. High School Old Boys 25, Linwood 14 Old Boys: G. Purdon, M. Reeves tries; Reeves conversion, three penalty goals; R. Pound, S. Brown dropped goals. Linwood: G. Jones, E. Barrell tries; T. Wells two penalty goals. Half-time: 1510. Referee: Mr R. B. Rudkin. Linwood, so dominant in the forwards exchanges against Shirley the previous week, found itself on the receiving end against Old Boys in the late match at Lancaster Park. Old Boys, a team which seems to lift its performance when against higher placed teams, tore into the rucks and mauls with a greater sense of purpose than Linwood and in the set pieces it held sway, especially the line-outs where it claimed 27 of the 42 decisive takes.

That it might not be Linwood’s day was seen in the fifth minute. A Linwood forward transgressed from a drop out on the 22m line and from the ensuing scrum Hamish Ramsden delightfully scooped up a poor pass, offloaded to the ever-present flanker, Stephen Dods, and Glen Purdon took the final pass to crash over for the try. Although the final try count ended at two each, Linwood’s second try came in the final minute when the match’s outcome was truly decided. Linwood tried desperately to inject fresh enthusiasm into the team as time ticked away, but Old Boys, which had forged to a big lead through the excellence of Michael Reeves’ goal-kicking and two well-taken dropped goals, was in no mood to surrender a match which it had ruled with an iron hand.

Although Phil Cropper lost nothing in comparison with the Canterbury and Old Boys openside flanker, Dods, the Linwood loose forwards were a yard or two behind the outstanding Old Boys trio of Hamish Robinson, Purdon and Dods. With Ralph Wallace rising high in the lineouts and a replacement, Ken Pope, strengthening the allround mobility of the pack, Old Boys were too controlled for Linwood in the forward confrontations. The mercurial Simon Brown directed the Old Boys backline play with astute judgment, Ramsden made some telling tackles and the lightly framed Richard Henderson was full of fight at centre.

Kerry Pauling and Mike Fransen wrestled free useful ball from the mauls for Linwood and Cropper was unstinting in his pursuit of the ball, but the Linwood pack was more fragmented over all. The wings, Greg Jones

and Richard McDonald, both ran deceptively and strongly, but except for when Jones broke three tackles to score after 30min, the Old Boys cover defence was not found wanting. Marist 52, Lincoln College 6 Marist: M. Vincent (5), T. Kele, S. Baker, M. Henderson, E. Sparrow tries; G. Coffey eight conversions. Lincoln College: L. Smith two penalty goals. Half-time: 22-6. Referee: Mr W. Miller. Marist spent 15min of the main match on the south ground at Lancaster Park trying to come to terms with a lively Lincoln College, but once the "green machine” was in gear there followed some passages of rugby that were of high quality.

The combination between forwards and backs reached sublime heights at times, but Marist spoiled its effort a little in the second half when it tried to be a little too cute with the rolling maul and the backline switches. Marist’s loose forwards again demonstrated their prowess, particularly the wide-ranging Murray Henderson and the forthright No. 8, Michael Methven. Steve Hansen, although looking to have dropped another yard of pace, was a colossus in the Marist midfield and there was speed to burn on the right wing where Mark Vincent saw the Lincoln goal-line as a finishing tape to be broken repeatedly.

Lincoln won as much ball in the set pieces as Marist, faring particularly well in the line-outs where John Jackson was the principal performer. Kelly Ireland, until he retired injured in the second half, and Dan Batchelor were other Lincoln forwards to impress.

The backs used the possession tolerably well, without ever being able to make the decisive break. Tim Redfern and Aaron James in midfield fully tested the stout defence of the Hansen brothers, Alistair Maling came into the line strongly, and Kelvin Hore was often on hand to tidy up when the movements broke down. Christchurch 16, ' Burnside 12

Christchurch: M. Treweek

try; M. Robinson (two), J. Sprott dropped goals; Robinson penalty goal. Burnside: S. Philpott dropped goal, three penalty goals. Halftime: 7-6. Referee: Mr G. F. Collins.

The scoring of the only try gave Christchurch a win at Burnside Park and, although the home side was never more than four points adrift, Christchurch always looked the better team. Because of the closeness of the scores the game was always interesting. The defensive play from both sides was sound as was the forward endeavour where Christchurch held a definite edge. Both sets of backs ran with enthusiasm but poor handling and the delayed pass spoilt many movements. The penalty count was well against Christchurch and this nullified many of its attacking moves, but Burnside was never able to capitalise on the hard-won ground.

The Christchurch forwards played their best rugby in the loose. Andrew Langley and Tim Smellie were quick to the breakdown as was Mark Treweek who was his usual powerful self with the ball in hand. It was the forwards’ ability to win the rucks which gave the backs their opportunities.

There was some crisp passing and strong running from the Christchurch backs but this was not enough to pierce the solid Burnside defence. Mason Robinson and Jason Kilworth played well, and Joe Leota took the high ball well. Leota had few opportunities on attack but defended ably and Keni Tui was an inventive fullback.

Rob Penney was the best of the Burnside forwards who held their own in the lineouts but could not compete in loose play. The backs had opportunities, but too often the attacks were either driven across field or foundered because the ball-carrier was tackled in possession. Albion 19, Belfast 16 Albion: M. Comber (2), D. Kett tries; G. James two conversions, penalty goal. Belfast: J. Patrick, P. Meaiings tries; A. Boyd conversion, two penalty goals. Halftime: 15-6. Referee: Mr P.

Murphy. Throughout an absorbing curtain-raiser at Lancaster Park South, the question remained whether Belfast’s sharp backs could get enough ball to counteract the efforts of the hard-driving Albion forwards.

By the end, Wayne Smith and company had received insufficent chances to weave their magic, but at least they had the satisfaction of producing two splendid tries, the first of which would rank highly among the best efforts in club rugby for many years. Adrian Boyd, Mardy Vincent and Smith were the key players in the rousing end-to-end movement which was finished by Jeff Patrick. Albion, with the breeze in the first half, quickly established an iron control in driving forward play, which it relinquished only at times in the second spell as Belfast players such as Barry Robertson and Warren Chilton began breathing fire. Shaun New and Murray Davie were at the heart of Albion’s highly effective rolling mauls, and the chunky halfback, Marty Comber, was an ideal complement. So too was the hard-running David Kett, who has brought a new dimension to Albion’s play since being shifted into second five-eighths. Thus it was a pity that Albion brought Grant James up from fullback so often to kick away a wealth of quality possession that the forwards laid so skilfully. Sydenham 61 Hornby 20 Sydenham: N. Tamatea (3), K. Flynn (3), A. Flynn, P. Wisby, J. Flynn, D. Kerr, L. Chandler tries; K. Flynn seven conversions, penalty goal. Hornby: R. Mcllroy (2), Q. Whanau, E. Goodhue tries; Goodhue two conversions. Half-time 31-0. Referee: Mr M. Keogh (Canberra). No game in which 15 tries were scored could be described as uninteresting or boring. Sydenham played as if it needed a win to become champion and systematically carved up a game but beleaguered Hornby side which, although outclassed, contributed mightily towards an exhibition of fast and spectacular rugby.

Such was its superiority in set play, Sydenham could afford to adopt a policy of attack at all times from anywhere on the paddock. It was inevitable, therefore, that mistakes were made and from these, in the second half especially, Hornby took full advantage. Some of Sydenham’s assaults were almost arrogant in their planning. The flying Flynns, Aaron, Kieran and Jamie, were particularly outstanding, with Dion Kerr, Laurie Seinafo and Ned Tamatea also showing sharpness and speed. Sydenham’s forwards were fully in control of line-outs, scrums and mauls. The player to stand out was Gavin Fuller whose driving play from line-outs was particularly noticeable. He was strongly supported by Lyn Chandler and Paul Wisby. Hornby’s contribution stemmed mainly from broken play, much favoured by Ernie Goodhue who entertained as usual, combining the unexpected with the irresponsible. Ricky Mcllroy made excellent use of what little ball he got.

In the Hornby forwards, none went better than Neville Wilson, playing his 220th game for his team. Jeff Dunshea and Bernie Waterman worked hard, but with little profit. Quentin Whanau’s determination was rewarded with a try in the dying moments of the game. New Brighton 15, Suburbs 6 New Brighton: R. Boyd try, R. Adler conversion, three penalty goals. Suburbs: M. Emmerson two penalty goals. Half-time 3-6. Referee: Mr D. Jones. New Brighton and Suburbs spent nine-tenths of this match cancelling each other out, but in the other tenth New Brighton did just enough to win.

In a first half devoid of many highlights, Suburbs’ scrummaging stood out. The front row of Phil Moore, Mathew Templeton and Tahu Williams put a lot of pressure on their opposite numbers and were rewarded with four tight-heads in the match. Suburbs’s backline also looked the sharper of the two and it would have been disappointed that it could not take

a bigger lead into the second half.

Suburbs tired badly, how-J ever, and in the second half New Brighton proved more! mobile. A prop, Stuart Gray,, earned the player of the day l award by covering a lot of' ground and he was well, backed, up by his flankers,, Andrew Thom and Nuku' Onekawa.

The Brighton backline did' not make good use of the tail, wind, and it was guilty on a, number of occasions of taking the wrong options and of poor handling. , New Brighton was flattered, by the scale of its win when, 1 on full-time, the ball was spun wide to the wing, Boyd, who had little trouble evading a tired Suburbs defence for the only try of the match. ‘ Merivale 12, Lyttelton 10 Merivale: R. Groters try: D. Kale conversion; Kale, D. Chalklen penalty goals. Lyttelton: D. Thorpe try; A. Williamson two penalty goals. Half-time: 3-3. Referee: Mr K. N. Apart from saying that Merivale beat Lyttelton in the curtain-raiser at Rugby Park much more could be written about what did not happen in the game than about what did happen. Merivale’s first five-eighths Dave Chalklen kicked only one penalty goal from seven attempts, and two of the kicks he missed were from the front of the posts. Ray Hastie, at second five-eighths for Merivale, crashed through Lyttelton’s defence after 30min but lost the ball forward before he could touch it down. Lyttelton, too, did not do itself justice. A prop, Graham Paton, crossed the line midway through the second half but was another who could not force the ball. It was not until the sixtyfifth minute that a try was finally scored, and that came when Merivale’s flanker, Richard Groters, pounced on a loose ball behind Lyttelton’s scrum. Lyttelton came back into the match in the dying stages when a replacement prop, David Thorpe, bulldozed his way through from 10m out.

P W D L F A Pt Shirley 15 13 1 1 523 152 54 Marist 15 13 2 0 611 177 53 Linwood 15 12 3 0 524 186 50 H.S.O.B. 15 11 2 2 438 193 50 University 15 10 5 0 401 260 42 Sydenham 15 10 4 1 375 269 42

Chch 15 8 4 3 376 216 39 Bumside 15 8 7 0 384 259 35 New Bri. 15 8 7 0 315 257 32 Albion 15 6 9 0 257 328 26 Linc.Coll. 15 6 9 0 223 339 25 Suburbs 15 5 10 0 220 383 21 Belfast 15 3 11 1 211 349 17 Merivale 15 2 13 0 107 580 9 Hornby 15 1 14 0 111 650 4 Lyttelton 15 0 15 0 94 571 4 Shirley 36, University 10