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WEST COAST RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION – 1984

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Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:

1984 Season

WEST COAST COLOURS: RED AND WHITE HOOPS
(Founded, 1890; Affiliated, 1893)
Selector: Mr.W.D.Hawkins

Once again West Coast had a fairly busy representative programme with 12 games. The two main aims were to obtain sufficient points to stay in the Second Division, which was achieved, and to win the Seddon Shield from Buller (holders), but the union’s northern neighbours were too strong on the day, although the score was only 6-4. West Coast defended well in this game, but gave a very disappointing display on attack.

Again this season there was a lack of weight and height in the forwards, and also a lack of a speedy flanker to breakdowns. The latter deficiency seemed to have been overcome to a certain extent early in the season with the arrival of Gavin Forsyth, but knee trouble forced an early retirement. New selector-coach Wayne Hawkins had a difficult task with injuries to players, an indication of which was the use of 36 players, including three players making their representative debut in the last four matches.

One personal highlight was the setting of a new total points record by Wayne Gugich of 223 points, surpassing Alan Lindbom’s 205 (195164). The forwards were an even lot, with no outstanding individual. Two who survived all 12 games were captain Blair Hopkins and lock Tony Price, but tough prop Paul Davidson missed only one game, as also did Stu Wyness and Junior All Black and Colt Gavin Cook. The Iatter was once again the mainstay in the back line, with Wyness and Gerard Davidson setting the rest an example with low and hard tackling.

Leading points scorer Wayne Gugich once again had some disappointing games, while Denis King proved the best of the wings. A notable performance was Jack Davidson’s debut for West Coast at prop in the Ranfurly Shield challenge at the age of 36. Gavin Cook also entered the record book by kicking three dropped goals against South Canterbury, bringing a total of seven for the 1984 season.

No players from this union played above provincial level in 1984.

1984 Squad

W.F.Gugich (St Mary’s)
D.J.King (Star-United)
C.J.Power (Star-United)
N.K.Turua (St Mary’s)
S.B.Wyness (St Mary’s)
M.Springer (Blaketown)
B.J.Davidson (St Mary’s)
R.G.Fenton (Marist)
M.G.Davidson (St Mary’s)
G.J.Cook (Star-United)
L.L.Ross (St Mary’s)
R.J.Bird (Star-United)
C.A.Stewart (Blaketown)
L.R.Golding (Kiwi)
R.H.J.Dickson (Cobden)
G.D.Forsyth (Blaketown)
B.Hopkins (Star-United)
B.Tamepo (St Mary’s)
I.A.Hughson (Blaketown)
W.H.Monk (Blaketown)
D.J.McDougall (Excelsior)
N.A.Schroder (St Mary’s)
A.M.Price (Star-United)
T.R.Forsyth (Blaketown)
C.J.Stiven (Star-United)
S.J.Keenan (St Mary’s)
G.C.Crawford (Star-United)
P.G.Davidson (St Mary’s)
R.F.Dixon (Grey Valley)
J.W.Walton (Blaketown)
J.P.Whitehead (Star-United)
J.F.Davidson (St Mary’s)
B.H.Monk (Blaketown)
G.T.Davidson (St Mary’s)
M.W.Meates (Marist)
G.Parker (Kiwi)

WEST COAST TEAM RECORD 1984

Played 12 Won 4 Lost 7 Drawn I Points for 120 Points against 264
* National Championship Games

SECOND DIVISION (South Island)
P
W
D
L
Pts
Southland
7
7
1
14
Marlborough
7
5
2
10
Mid-Canterbury
7
4
1
2
9
West Coast
7
4
1
2
9
Buller
7
3
4
6
Nelson Bays
7
2
5
4
South Canterbury
7
2
5
4
North Otago
7
7

May 13 v Western Australia , Greymouth Lost 3 – 6
W.F.Gugich, penalty goal
Referee: Mr.C.Williams (West Coast)

May 16 v Thames Valley , Hokitika Lost 16 – 18
Cook, try
Gugich (3) penalties , Cook drop goal
Referee: Mr.A.Glen (West Coast)

* June 23 v Buller , Greymouth Won 6 – 4
Gugich, penalty goal and drop goal
Referee: Mr.C.J.Hawke (South Canterbury)

* July 8 v Nelson Bays , Nelson Won 19 – 13
King, Fenton, tries
Gugich, conversion and penalty , drop goal
Cook, drop goal
Referee: Mr.E.F.Fox (Buller)

* July 10 v Marlborough , Blenheim Lost 12 – 35
Gugich (3) , penalty goals
Cook, drop goal
Referee: Mr.K.R.Riley (Nelson)

* July 21 v Mid-Canterbury , Greymouth Drew 12 – 12
Hopkins, Try
Gugich, conversion ,penalty, and drop goal
Referee: Mr.R.C.Morgan (Marlborough)

July 28 v Buller (Seddon Shield) , Westport Lost 4 – 6
Gugich, try
Referee: Mr.L.D.Daines (Marlborough)

August 18 v Bay of Plenty , Greymouth Lost 9 – 31
Gugich (3) penalty goals
Referee: Mr.G.A.King (West Coast)

August 25 v Canterbury (Ranfurly Shield) , Christchurch Lost 3 – 68
Cook, drop goal
Referee: Mr.A.B.Edwards (Auckland)

* September 12 v South Canterbury ,Timaru Won 16 – 12
Cook, try
Gugich, penalty goal
Cook (3) , drop goals
Referee: Mr.T.Marshall (Canterbury)

* September 15 v Southland , Invercargill Lost 3 – 45
Ross, penalty goal
Referee: Mr.J.G.MacDonald (North Otago)

* September 18 v North Otago , Oamaru Won 17 – 14
King (2) tries
Wyness (3) penalty goals
Referee: Mr.K.O.Beckett (Nelson Bays)