Newsgroups: rec.sport.rugby
Subject: NZ provincial finals. 2nd & 3rd division.
From: wft@math.canterbury.ac.nz (Bill Taylor)
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 10:07:38 GMT
Organization: Department of Mathematics, University of Canterbury

Two great games in the finals so far:- one intense, fascinating struggle with
no tries and probably no great interest for the casual viewer, but an
intriguing contest for the afficionado; and one somewhat ragged game that
would have all committed supporters gripping their seats to the very end,
with yet another cliffhanger "boys-own" finish.

2nd Division      Taranaki   12   Counties   0
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A stiff wind and a trigger-happy ref preveted this game from becoming the
flowing spectacle it should have been; but an intense struggle was not really
reflected in the final score, which alas included no tries.

The expected forward dominance of the Taranaki forwards did not really emerge,
certainly not in the first half anyway. Counties had rather the best of the
set-piece struggle, especially in the first half when the strong wind was
against them. Taranaki played most of the half in Counties' part of the
field, naturally, and routinely put over 3 penalties. Just when it seemed the
floodgates would break loose, resolute Counties defense held up a series
of seemingly certain tries. Counties wisely used their possession to run into
the wind, and though they never really looked like scoring themselves,
managed to tie up Taranaki and prevent any further score.

9-0 at half-time certainly did *not* look like enough to win.

But clearly someone spoke to the Taranaki forwards during the break, because
they came out convinced they were still playing with the wind ! They ran and
crunched with the best of them, as did Counties at times, and the game
seesawed with Taranaki managing to slot one more penalty. Soon after this
Counties mounted a really massive series of attacks, and (as in the first
half, the other way), only the most desparate defense managed to keep them
out, by inches. 12 points didn't seem too much to score, and quickly, with
a strong wind. But Taranaki must have realized this too, because after that
series of near misses they got a total grip on the game. Led by the furiously
committed Allen they drove with such fervour that poor Counties found
themselves on the back foot, for the rest of the game. So much for wind !
Indeed Taranaki was unlucky, not to score a try, twice right near the end.
It would have been fitting for Crowley to get his, as he had made a major
contribution to the Taranaki effort, virtually as an extra forward, but sadly
fingers let him down right on the line.

So; a thoroughly deserved win to the more committed team. In the end, the
difference was probably this: Taranaki attacked fervently for both halves,
and Counties did only for one.

3rd division      Nelson Bays  25     Horowhenua  23
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nelson Bays had a perfect record coming into this game, but Horowhenua was
the clearest recent improver; so it was difficult to pick a favourite.
Home ground advantage (to H) would probably decide, and so it seemed.
In the event, the expected blood-bath did not eventuate; indeed apart from
slight niggles it was played in good spirit.

A difficult crosswind contributed to a certain raggedness, and favoured
Horowhenua slightly in the first half. With this advantage, penalties
accrued up to 3-9, then Nelson broke through unexpectedly and scored a
fine try near the posts (assisted by sloppy defense). 10-9, and a worry for
Horowhenua. But almost immediately they broke back, and hitting a perfect
pop pass at top speed scythed through for a magnificent counter-try.  10-16.
Suddenly we had a real contest on our hands, although the score only got to
13-16 at half time.

With the slight wind advanteage for the second half, and only 3 points down,
Nelson looked to have the better of it. But not so. Nelson struck first when
their forwards almost pushed a maul over but were just stopped, and halfback
Mitton raced off the maul for a fine individual try. 18-16. But the home pack
seemed to get stronger as the game wore on, and were pushing back the
Nelson scrum more and more, almost at will, towards the end. Again Horowhenua
struck back, and another fine try took it to 18-23.  With the Nelson pack
and halfback having a tough game under pressure, and time running out, things
began to look very sombre for the visitors, but they never gave up, and
they never quite panicked. Finally with only a minute to go, a stunning
breakthrough was made, and a Nelson back was flying for the line and
seemingly in the clear. With visiting supporters dancing with frenzy, he
was about to dive for the line when both defending wingers in a desparate
covering race managed to converge on him to bring him down right on the line.
No score!!  Surely now it was all over!  But there was still a little injury
time to play; and for about two whole minutes Nelson managed to keep the
ball alive, and swinging madly from side to side, fought in vain to find
a way through. And at the last gasp, with everyone well-covered, the first five
cipped the ball over, and in a hopeless chase against four defenders,
managed to steam through alone just in time to fall on a wildly bouncing
ball !!  A truly thrilling finish that he, for one, will never forget.
Utter despair for Horowhenua, as the easy conversion was slotted for the
final whistle.   25-23.

A sad end for the home team, who probably deserved to win, on the run of play;
but in a way the "correct" result, for the mathematically inclined, in view
of Nelson's record.   And also the correct result for we hopelessly biassed
----------------------. mainlanders who like to see some slight approximation
                      | towards equal representation !
          \           |           Horowhenua picked themselves up off the
           \          | floor halfway through the season, and came on to
           \\         | get in 4th from the regular competition. But a
            \\        | glorious come-back was denied them by an equally
             )`--')   | determined team who refused to admit they were
            <  o /    | being outplayed.
             `\  /    |
              / /     | If only similar commitment and excitement occur for
         /_,, ~~      | tomorrow's 1st division clash !!!  Here's hoping.
        /   )         |=======================================================
        |  /          |
       /  _>    <-------- Bill Taylor         wft@math.canterbury.ac.nz
      /  /            |
     /   |            |=======================================================
    |    /            |Since we got a video player, I hardly ever read any more.
    \___/             |
      o               |I used to be quite a bookworm.Now I'm more of a tapeworm.
                      |=======================================================