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WEST COAST RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION – 1982

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Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:

1982 Season

WEST COAST COLOURS: RED AND WHITE HOOPS
(Founded, 1890; Affiliated, 1893)
Selector: Mr A.G.Dawson

Although successful in only three of its ten matches, West Coast offered strong opposition to most sides, and the final defeat of Counties was a well-merited effort. Only a late penalty try enabled Marlborough to withstand the Seddon Shield Challenge, both South Canterbury and Nelson Bays had to work hard for their victories. Twelve of the previous season’s 29 players did not appear again, and 13 of the 33 players required this year were in their first season. Bruhn and Mitchell, has last represented in 1980 and Bennett in 1979.

West Coast featured a tigerish pack that held its own on most occasions, and presented a solid defence from the backs. Wayne Gugich was an excellent full-back safe under the high ball and with a strong kick. In addition he contributed 61 of West Coast’s tally of 93 points. Tony Mullins and Denis King were reliable, eager wingers with newcomer Chris Power a solid centre. Stu Wyness and Dave Lynch were sound at five-eighths with a lively clever halfback in Kevin Ford, another new representative.

Blair Hopkins was a good leader, with new representative, Wayne O’Reilly very fast and effective on the other side of the scrum. One of the best forwards was the 18-year old No.8 Troy Forsyth, speedy and tireless. The locks, Gary Bennett and new representative Tony Price excelled in the line-out and tight scrummaging, whilst Paul Davidson and new representative John Walton were solid props with Gary Paterson also , in good form. No players for this Union were called on for higher honours.

1982 Squad

W.F.Gugich (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
Paul Aukusitino (Kiwi)
D.J.King (Star-United)
P.A.McGurk (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
D.L.Marshall (Greymouth Marist)
A.B.Mullins (Greymouth Marist)
L.R.Golding (Kiwi)
C.J.Power (Star-United)
D.J.Lynch (Blaketown)
S.C.P.Boon (Hokitika Excelsior)
K.R.Bryenton (Greymouth Marist)
S.B.Wyness (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
K.T.Ford (Greymouth Marist)
C.A.Stewart (Blaketown)
T.D.Kenny (Star-United)
J.Tamepo (Hokitika Excelsior)
B.Hopkins (Star-United)
M.Wynyard (South Westland)
P.R.Broughton (Star-United)
A.H.Bruhan (Blaketown)
P.G.Davidson (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
B.H.Monk (Blaketown)
J.W.Walton (Blaketown)
W.T.O’Reilly (Kiwi)
J.G.McGurk (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
R.J.Mitchell (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
T.R.Forsyth (Blaketown)
G.J.Bennett (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
G.A.J.Paterson (Star-United)
A.M.Price (Star-United)
J.W.O.Costello (Greymouth Marist)
S.A.Smith (Greymouth Marist)
K.J.Davidson (Hokitika St.Mary’s)

MATCH RECORD

Played 10 , Won 3 , Lost 7 , Points: For 93 , Against 201
* National Second Division Fixture.

June 16 v Canterbury at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 7 – 38
B.Hopkins try
W.F.Gugich penalty goal
Referee: Mr.A.Cooper (West Coast)

June 30 v New Zealand Colts at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 6 – 33
W.F.Gugich 2 penalty goals
Referee: Mr.M.J.Haley (Wellington)

* July 10 v Buller at Rugby Park, Greymouth Won 16 – 12
W.F.Gugich try, dropped goal and 3 penalty goals
Referee: Mr.A.W.Lilley (Mid-Canterbury)

* July 31 v Mid-Canterbury at Cass Square, Hokitika Lost 3 – 21
W.F.Gugich penalty goal
Referee: Mr.J.MacDonald (North Otago)

* August 23 v South Canterbury at Timaru Lost 12 – 20
P.G.Davidson and G.A.J.Paterson tries
W.F.Gugich 2 conversions

* August 23 v SouthIand at Invercargill Lost 0 – 27

* August 29 v North Otago at Oamaru Won 12 – 6
T.R.Forsyth try
W.F.Gugich 2 penalty goals and a conversion

* September 4 v Marlborough (Seddon Shield) at Blenheim Lost 12 – 15
W.T.O’Reilly try
W.F.Gugich 2 penalty goals and a conversion

* September 7 v Nelson Bays at Motueka Lost 15 – 23
C.A.Stewart try
W.F.Gugich 3 penalty goals and a conversion

September 27 v Counties at Rugby Park, Greymouth Won 10 – 6
C.J.Power and W.T.O’Reilly tries
W.F.Gugich a conversion
Referee: Mr.R.Stewart (West Coast)