New rivals for Smith Trophy

Press, 1 September 1989, Page 39

New rivals for Smith Trophy

Although Addington or Marist-Western Suburbs played in 10 of the previous 22 Canterbury rugby league championship grand finals, Sunday’s match at the Show Grounds will be their first clash for the Pat Smith Challenge Trophy. Only Addington has especially fond memories of a previous grand final appearance. It beat Hornby, 11-10 in a thrilling encounter in 1982, having lost to that opponent in the very first grand final in 1967, to Papanui in 1971 and to Eastern Suburbs in 1981. Marist-Western has the even more distressing record of having fallen at the last hurdle on all six previous occasions it has had the championship in its sights. But Addington can not claim to be one of its conquerors, the Saints having had their wings clipped by Hornby (1969), Linwood (1970), Papanui (1972, and 1973), Eastern (1979) and Halswell (1988). However, only in 1969 — when Hornby nudged it out, 10-9, by kicking a

late penalty goal — did Marist-Western avoid having to particpate in the energy-sapping preliminary final. Now, 20 years later, it again has the benefit of a week to fine tune its tactics and regain full fitness.

If Marist-Western is keen to exercise a ghost which has haunted it for two decades, then Addington has not only to overcome i the preliminary final phobia but also the jinx which has plagued all previous thirdplaced qualifiers. It is an intriguing situation. Either the Saints at last come marching home, or the Magpies will pick holes in the theory that only the two leading premiership sides have a realistic chance at the top prize. Addington eliminated Hornby, 16-12, in the minor semi-final, and slithered to a 12-8 defeat at Linwood in last Sunday’s preliminary final. Both times it accumulated early points and managed to hold its opponent at bay.

For Marist-Western the path to the grand final was a 5-4 victory at Linwood’s expense in the major semi-final the vital point coming from Carl Wild’s long-range field goal.

Also in Marist-West-ern’s favour is its recent experience of the unique pressure associated with grand finals. Wild, Tony Wildermoth and John MacGougan all appeared in the 1979 title-decider, while most of its present players were in the team which met Halswell 12 months ago.

Only three of Addington’s men have been in action on other grand final days, all for other clubs. Lance Setu and

Graham Larson (for Hornby) have actually been rivals of Robbie Rushton (when he was with Halswell). Marist-Western might also decide that finishing second in 1988 was a good omen for 1989. Papanui, Addington, Halswell (twice) and Hornby have all won titles since 1975 after having been runner-up the previous year.

While victories in games between Addington and Marist-Western have been fairly evenly divided during the 1980 s, the Magpies can count only one win in their last eight meetings. That was by 21-16, after Addington had been 20-2 in front, in

late July. Even though Addington, as winner of the 1988 premiership, and MaristWestern, which included the Massetti Cup among a batch of trophy wins this winter, have been the most successful clubs in Canterbury over the last two years, few would have nominated them to meet in the grand final at season’s start

It has helped MaristWestern’s determination that some regarded it as a candidate for relegation after it lost the Kiwi forward, Wayne Wallace, and Gerard Stokes (who reverted to non-playing coach), Mason Fisher and Brad Stringer from the 1988 lineup.

But more than adequate replacements emerged in the New Zealand Universities captain, Peter de Goldi, the strong centre, Kelvin Remi, a dedicated defender at loose forward, Darkle Kapea, and two rugby union recruits, Mike Howse (fullback) and David Reid (utility). Addington began without the prolific-scoring Malcolm Taylor and the big forward, Laurence Hale. Suspension cost it John Green, its forward leader, and injury ended the career of the playmaking inside back, Mark Forsey. The pack was strengthened by the acquisitions of Lamon Hohaia from rugby union and a former Canterbury centre, Lance Setu. More recent gaps have been filled efficiently by Kevin Hapi, Dave Paki and Leon Thompson from the lower grade ranks. Pomare Connell returned after some weeks in the reserves and Shane Gousmett came home from Australia to bolster the squad.

The first meeting of Addington and MaristWestern for the code’s most prized trophy should be absorbing, whatever the conditions.