Tasman Makos: News

Late charge by Red Devils secures win
09-Jul-2010

Marlborough Express - JOHN ALEXANDER
A late try by skipper George Millar gave the Marlborough Express Red Devils a hard-fought 18-11 win over North Canterbury in a Conway Shield clash at Culverden yesterday.

Played in fine conditions on a soft but reasonable surface, Marlborough came under a lot of pressure up front, especially from a dominant North Canterbury scrum. Lineouts, too, were wobbly for the visitors in the first half, making it difficult to either mount or sustain any real pressure in a scrappy match.

North Canterbury struck the first blows with two penalties. Marlborough squandered an easy three points by turning down a kick at goal under the posts for a set play which failed to produce any reward. Greg Blick later kicked a penalty, North Canterbury taking a well deserved 6-3 lead into halftime.

Marlborough's backs had a definite edge, and first-five Martin Campbell scored a brilliant team try to give them an 11-6 lead following a second Blick penalty.

The backs broke out of defence, Onolevu Temo making the initial thrust. Backs and forwards chimed in and Millar produced a superb overhead pass as he was being bundled out over the touchline for Campbell to gather and score. North Canterbury levelled the scores with a typically powerful pick-and-go try but Millar produced the match-winner near the end.

Blick broke down the short side, the ball was quickly recycled infield and Millar hit a pass on the burst to score under the sticks, Blick adding the conversion.

Coach Mark Stewart wasn't happy with Marlborough's set-pieces, especially scrums and said, "We just couldn't give our backs enough ball ... people going one-off and getting isolated and we turned over a bit of ball because of that. We struggled to get ball off a very good North Canterbury forward pack."

Stewart singled out loose-forward Reyne Volavola for another standout performance in defence and with ball in hand. "He's growing as a player all the time. Very good. He and Adam Goldsworthy combined well together."

Lock Stu Campbell worked tirelessly, and second-half replacement hooker Andrew Zuppercich made an impressive debut, doing the basics well and adding a bit of go-forward.

Also impressing off the bench in the second half was halfback Hamish Murray, his leadership and all-round skills making a significant impact, Stewart said.

Winger Kieran Hickman and Blick were industrious, Millar was a danger with ball in hand and Campbell had a good game.

For North Canterbury, their front row of Simon Fleetwood, Jimmy Frame and Hamish Black impressed, as did skipper and No8 Stu Dalzell and teenage lock Lachie McFadzean.

In summing up Marlborough's performance, Stewart said he was pleased to get the win against a strong opponent but generally disappointed.

"Our performance wasn't flash. Down a level from the Nelson Bays game."

Marlborough's next match is against Heartland team South Canterbury at Timaru on August 14, followed by the opening match in the new Mainland Cup competition against Nelson Bays at Motueka, which doubles as a Seddon Shield match on August 28.

Scorers: Marlborough Express Red Devils 18 (Martin Campbell, George Millar tries, Greg Blick con, 2 pen), North Canterbury 11 (Simon Fleetwood try, Marcus Taylor 2 pen). Halftime: North Canterbury 6-3