Late sport Fiery play marks start of night rugby

Press, 12 April 1979, Page 4

Late sport Fiery play marks start of night rugby

Night rugby got under way at Denton Oval last evening with a combination of damp and dismal conditions and hot and fiery tempers. Both games contained unsavoury incidents as friction between the sides sometimes neared boiling point. A Hornby player, Robbie Webster, was ordered off. Results:

Hornby 10 (N. Wilson a try; S. Hale 2 penalty goals) drew with Shirley 10 (N. Image a try and a penalty goal; G. Shearer a penalty goal). Christchurch 12 (G. Sims a try; R. G. Wilson a conversion, a penalty goal, and a dropped goal) beat Suburbs 0. • UNLUCKY HORNBY Hornby was rather unlucky to do no better than draw its match with Shirley as its spirited play dominated much of the game. Throughout the first half, Hornby attacked regularly, a lack of ability compensated for by determination and perseverance. Against the run of play, Shirley went up by seven points by half-time, four of the points through a try by Nigel Image scored after the best backline movement of the match.

For the most part, however, Shirley’s play was notable for an absence of purpose and spirit. The playing abilities of the Hornby side were no better than those of their opponent, but the difference between the teams was shown in the speed with which the aggressive Hornby forwards got to the breakdowns and tore into the rucks and mauls. For Hornby, Howard Wilson shone as a relentless and skilful captain and hooker, while Don Calder was a willing workhorse in the tight. In the Shirley side, Kerry Mitchell proved a valuable asset in the lineouts. BETTER BACKS Christchurch began its

game against Suburbs in a manner that suggested it was going to run up a big score but some gritty and determined play by Suburbs put the game back on an almost even keel. Christchurch had an enterprising and talented backline and Suburbs deserved considerable credit for limiting the opposition to one try. Although in the line-outs Christchurch achieved a significant domination through some fine two-handed takes by Allen Robinson, in the other facets of forward play, Suburbs achieved a parity through a combination of bustling and spoiling play. John Gibson at prop for Suburbs proved a competent foil for the powerful Christchurch front row. The Suburbs pack was smaller and lighter than its opponent’s but its willingness to work as a unit in the hard grind up front showed Christchurch up on a number of occasions. The entertainment value, however, certainly came from the Christchurch back-line. Graham Gordon conducted play ably with long and accurate passes from half-back and outside him the young and promising Robbie Deans showed brilliant side-stepping and swerving ability. Graham Sims, ironically a former Suburbs player, showed flair in midfield finding openings. At full-back, Richard Wilson, while missing five promising penalties, was rarely out of position on defence and was ever ready to come into the backline. Up front for Christchurch, Mike Cron was a übiquitous and powerful figure at prop and Jock Hobbs was a fast and active flanker. For Suburbs, Johnny Neilson at first five-eighths gave a cool and intelligent display and made the most of his occasional attacking opportunities.