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1977 Season
WEST COAST COLOURS: RED
AND WHITE HOOPS
(Founded, 1890; Affiliated, 1893)
Selector: Mr J.A.L.Wright
ln a limited programme of only seven matches West Coast opened with a good win over Buller and later struck top form to record a big victory over ,North Otago, but otherwise lost the Seddon Shield and generally found opposing packs particularly, too big and powerful. Despite lack of size and weight the Coast forwards were a potent force, with Henham from No 8, and Johns and Sullivan the flankers fast on to the opposition and eager in the loose.
Wynyard, Sinclair and Forsyth were conscientious
workers as locks where Clarey, a new representative appeared in the
later matches. Dixon captained the side and with fellow-prop, Steffans,
worked hard. Aitken was another new representative. The hooker, the
experienced Mitchell had some most successful days. Only 13 forwards
were required. The 22 year-old Sullivan impressed as a speedy attacking
loose forward and gained selection to the New Zealand Juniors team
which met the British lsles - where he suffered an unfortunate injury
- he later was selected by the New Zealand Rugby Union to visit New
Caledonia
for two matches in August. Mitchell was captain in the later matches.
Behind the scrum the 21 year-old Ogilirie was alert and active and threw out a long pass. As in the past Beams was the mastermind, a clever and astute tactician and a versatile player. He played his 87th game for West Coast a record - after missing the early games because of his objection to being played at fullback. Cook, on his day was an excellent second Eve-eighths, fast to the gap and clever. The 21 year old Davidson was a solid tackler at centre. Teen was as previously a strong-running pacy winger - he scored five tries from very limited opportunities. On the other wing was the 18 year old Kelvin McBride, a promising player. Three different full-backs were used all fresh to representatives honours, and all showing fair competence, firstly Graham McBride (Kelvin`s brother), then Stephen Boon, and finally David Curtain.
Altogether 13 backs were called on, seven of
them being in their first season. Only two forwards were new, Mitchell,
Forsyth Davies and Clarey having all previously last represented in
1975. Teen, Davidson. Sullivan, Sinclair. Steffens and Mitchell were
included in the combined Buller-West Coast side that met British lsles.
Ken Beams has now played 92 first-class matches since his debut as
a 19 year old in 1965, and has scored 25 tries. All his games have
been for West Coast, or for Buller-West
Coast combined and despite being repeatedly nominated he was never
given a New Zealand trial.
1977 Squad
G.A.McBride (Harihari)
S.L.P.Boon (Hokitika Excelsior)
David Curtain (Hokitika St.Mary's)
R.M.Cropper (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
J.J.McCarthy (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
P.A.Teen (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
K.M.McBride (Harihari)
B.G.Davidson (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
T.J.Watkins (Harihari)
G.J.Cook (Greymouth Star-United)
A.R.Williams (Harihari)
K.J.J.Beams (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
M.K.Ogilvie (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
D.H.Henham (Blaketown)
R.G.Johns (Greymouth Star-United)
Monty Wynyard (Hokitika Excelsior)
M.M.Sinclair (Blaketown)
J.D.Sullivan (Harihari)
R.F.Dixon (Greymouth Star-United)
R.J.Mitchell (Harihari)
J.A.Steffans (Hokitika St.Mary`s)
Robert Forsyth (Blaketown)
B.J.Aitken (Harihari)
John Davies (Harihari)
R.O.Scott (Cobden)
l.M.Clarey (Greymouth Star•United)
MATCH RECORD
Played 7 ; Won 2 ; Lost 5 ; Points: For 78 ; Against 146
*National Second Division match
* June 11 v BULLER at Westport Won
12 to 3
P.A.Teen, try
G.J.Cook and J.J.McCarthy, penalty goals
G.J.Cook. conversion
June 23 v AN OTAGO XV at Cass Square.
Hokitika Lost 0 to 32
Referee; Mr.J.Walton (West Coast)
July 24 v CANTERBURY at Rugby Park,
Greymouth Lost 13 to 33
P.A.Teen and R.F.Dixon. tries
S.C.P.Boon, penalty goal and conversion
Referee: Mr.S.McKnight (West Coast)
* August 6 v NELSON-BAYS (Seddon Shield)
at Rugby Park,Greymouth Lost 4 to 11
K.J.J.Beams. try
Referee: Mr.S.C.Miller (Canterbury)
* August 9 v NORTH OTAGO at Rugby Park.
Greymouth Won 35 to 13
P.A.Teen (3), K.J.J.Beams and B.G.Davidson, tries
S.C.P.Boon dropped goal, 2 penalty goals and 3 conversions
Referee: Mr.G.Anderson (Nelson-Bays)
* September 3 v MID-CANTERBURY at Ashburton
Lost 6 to 25
D.Curtain, 2 penalty goals
* September 17 v SOUTH CANTERBURY at
Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 8 to 29
R.G.Johns, and M.K.Ogilvie. tries
Referee: Mr.L.D.Daines (Marlborough)
SECOND DIVISION (South Island) | P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
South Canterbury | 5 |
5 |
- |
- |
111 |
21 |
10 |
Mid-Canterbury | 5 |
4 |
- |
1 |
87 |
36 |
8 |
Nelson-Bays | 5 |
3 |
- |
2 |
56 |
63 |
6 |
West Coast | 5 |
2 |
- |
3 |
65 |
81 |
4 |
North Otago | 5 |
1 |
- |
4 |
43 |
99 |
2 |
Buller | 5 |
- |
- |
5 |
18 |
80 |
- |
South Canterbury 13 beat Marlborough 9 in the promotion-relegation match |
West Coast-Buller
Selectors: Messer’s W. J. Mumm and J. A. L. Wright
Combined to meet the British lsles this XV was heavily defeated on
waterlogged ground.
June 29 v. BRITISH ISLES at Victoria
Square. Westport. Lost 0 to 45
Referee: Mr G. L. Harrison (Wellington)
The team was:
R.P.Mumm (Buller)
A.M.Mundy (Buller)
B.G.Davidson (West Coast)
P.A.Teen (West Coast)
B.R.Morgan (Buller)
Alan Ireland (Buller)
John Gillbert (Buller)
B. McGuire (Buller)
J.D.Sullivan (West Coast)
J.L.Lee (Capt.) (Buller)
M.M.Sinclair (West Coast)
N.J.Roberts (Buller)
J.A.Steffan (West Coast)
R.J.Mitchell (West Coast)
R.J.Banks (Buller)