Geoff Stevens Kicks well for Northern to beat Central Sports Trust Cup 1982.

Northern ruled the roost in the Sports Trust Cup 1982 over Central.  Starting well, Northern completely dominated play and had 13 points on the board at half time.  They could only manage one try in the second half as the game sadly deteriorated due to heavy rain which continued throughout the game.

Surprisingly the ball handling was good, considering the conditions, but it was Northern that put pressure on the Central backs who looked sluggish.  First five eight, Geoff Stevens, kicked well for Northern and kicked penalty goals in the seventh, 22, and 28th minute.  After a ruck won by Northern, winger, Clint Tauri was given a good ball and wasted no time in scoring a good try in the corner.  Tauri showed a lot of pace but was not given the opportunity to repeat this scoring.  Centre Ken Metherall kicked a penalty goal after 33 minutes.  
Both teams struggled to get anything going in the second half   Central centre, Evan MacLellan attempted to kick the ball down field from his own 22, but the ball slid off his foot and Northern second five eight, Willie Katene did  not have to be asked twice to pick up the ball and he ran between the posts and scored.  Metherall converted the try.
Due to conditions no-one really took a hold of the game, but Northern had the advantage by working together as a pack.
David McKee (No. 8) and Paul Kahukura (flanker) stood up and played well in the all round and supporting play.
Lock Murray McLeod also worked hard all day and looked promising for the future.  Jim Fortune (prop) was at his best and worked hard to set up play for his forwards.
In the backs Geoff Stevens was sound while, Katene looked dangerous at times and provided all sorts of problems for the Central backs.  He is one player that looks like he is going to have a long career in the senior representative rugby.
Brian Watson (full-back) would be pleased with his game, as he was always safe with ball in hand and was composed under pressure.
Central would have been disappointed with their game and they never really got going.  Alan Hamilton (winger) showed good pace, while full-back Ian Clarke, did not do anything wrong and was sound and reliable.  Although Central forwards struggled for most of the game, Colin McDonald had a good game in the tight and although you did not see a lot of him - you knew he was working away quietly as usual.