Chch heads for second division

Press, 26 April 1989, Page 35

Chch heads for second division

Christchurch, without a win, condemned itself to the second division of the senior club rugby championship when it played like a team aware of its fate against Shirley at Rugby Park yesterday. Shirley led their Trust Bank Cup contest, 27-0, at half-time and it was a merciful release for Christchurch when it was able to troop from the field after conceding 12 tries and 61 points. Christchurch’s destiny was determined inside the first 22min. It trailed by 17 points then and it struggled to gain a reasonable share of secondphase ball. Although it broke even in the line-out count in the first half, Shirley, regularly going ahead, had 12 of the 19 scrum feeds. Shirley’s first two tries were variations of play from 5m scrums, but most of the later tries were the products of ineffectual Christchurch tackling. The most glaring example was when Wayne Steadman scored the first of his two tries in the eleventh minute of the second spell. The Shirley second five-eighths constantly looked for support on the course of a 50m run to the try-line, but he brushed through six half-hearted tackles to score himself. While its defence was inept, Christchurch was not without attacking flair when it had possession and room to utilise it. Katsuhira Matsuo, if careless with the pass, cut a dashing figure on the midfield break, and Roger Kilpatrick was a deceptive mover on the right wing. The Shirley backs, however, snuffed out most Christchurch attacks with sure

tackling and the forwards asserted control, packing low and hard to drive Christchurch back and running strongly on to the short passes. With Allan Lindsay, the recipient of the “player of the match” award, dictating the moves from halfback, Shirley was the better organised and more confident combination. In a solid all-round display by the Shirley forwards, John Robbins and Barry Hammersley impressed with their determination close to the line, and Chris England and Gavin Hill had the ability to force gaps away from the fringes. The backs, too, were equally capable of exploiting openings, Lindsay, Steadman and Brent Reid, all having outstanding matches. Christchurch, without several key players, was only competitive in patches. Andrew McKellar tried to rally his men and Viv de Beus answered the call, but they were fighting a losing battle. UNBEATEN RECORD Belfast maintained its unbeaten sequence, although it was not until the last quarter that it scored the try which took it clear of the danger zone against Lincoln College in the curtain-raiser at Rugby Park. The College forwards played with commendable vigour and the stirring deeds of the loose forwards, Dave Lochore and Richard Shuttleworth, perhaps should have brought greater rewards for their team. But the College inside backs squandered early possession with poorly-

placed kicking and they lacked pace and cohesion when attempts were made later to move the'ball. Both teams were keen to play an open game, and although too many passes were thrown in hope rather than with purposeful intent, the match was free-flowing until tiredness caught up with the players and slowed play in the last quarter. Gary Vincent and John Retallick mauled strongly for Belfast and there was incisive running by Phil Mealings and John Goodman when he moved from wing into the midfield. Brent Hutchinson had the distinction of kicking a conversion after the ball bounced from the right upright to the left and then over. Scoring details: — Shirley 61 (G. Hill 2, W. Steadman 2, N. Katae, A. Lindsay, B. Reid, C. England,. J. Robbins, B. Hammersley, A. Gill, R. Riwaka tries; Hill five conversions, penalty goal) beat Christchurch 8 (J. Leota, J. Kil worth tries). Half-time: 27-0. Referee, Mr P. Murphy. Belfast 18 (A. Boyd, K. Keane tries; Boyd conversion; Hutchinson conversion, two penalty goals) beat Lincoln College 7 (R. Harris try; L. Smith penalty goal). Halftime: 12-7. Referee, Mr S. P. Garland. Points: — Division one: Marist 20, Burnside 13, ShirJey 12, High School Old Boys, University, Linwood 8, Sydenham 4, Christchurch 0. Division two: Belfast 20, New Brighton 16, Lincoln College, Suburbs 12, Merivale 9, Albion 4, Otautahi, Hornby 0.