Rugby: Bush take thrashing but not disgraced

HAMILTON - Wairarapa-Bush rugby coach Mark Benton might have been on the receiving end of a 74-6 Ranfurly Shield hiding from Waikato on Saturday, but he was a proud man.

The holders ran in 12 tries to none at Rugby Park to open the 1999 Shield season, but that was no indication of a courageous, committed defensive effort by third division Wairarapa-Bush.

"They really put their bodies on the line out there today and I was pleased as punch," said Benton, who played more than 100 games at fullback for the province.

"The difference in the end was that Waikato are a professional outfit. Everything about them is professional and we're trying to become like that, but the gulf's there at the moment.

"But the heart our guys showed today was just absolutely fantastic. Everyone tackled their hearts out."

Waikato, fielding about eight first-choice regulars, had an error-ridden first half, lacking urgency around the field, forcing passes unnecessarily and missing several tries through individuals going on their own and ignoring overlaps.

After opening with a try to halfback Ben Willis from a sweeping counter-attack in the second minute, the home side did not score again until the 24th minute, but then ran in four tries in the second quarter.

Rookie wing Jeremy Murray scored a hat- trick of tries after being brought into the starting lineup at the last minute when Roger Randle failed a fitness test on his hamstring and Scott McLeod injured himself at club training.

But it was burly centre Keith Lowen who was the most influential back on the field. While unhappy with his error rate, Lowen scored two tries and played a major part in several others, breaking the otherwise sturdy Wairarapa-Bush defence repeatedly.

First five-eighths Glen Jackson also played a key part in the Waikato running game and scored two tries, as did skipper and No 8 Deon Muir.

Wairarapa-Bush first five-eighths Neil Rodger provided his team's only points with two successful first-half penalty attempts.

Rodger, fullback Russell Thompson and open-side flanker and captain Mike Fleming led the challengers' defensive effort with some fine tackling.

Waikato 74 (Jeremy Murray 3, Glen Jackson 2, Keith Lowen 2, Deon Muir 2, Ben Willis, Marty Holah, Brad Miller tries; Matthew Cooper 7 conversions) Wairarapa-Bush 6 (Neil Rodger 2 penalty goals). Halftime 29-6.