Drawn game in Rugby

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 17

Drawn game in Rugby

GN.Z. Press Association) NAPIER. Hawke’s Bay made an exciting recovery in the final 20 minutes to draw 18-all with Taranaki in a representative Rugby match under floodlights in Napier. Taranaki led 18-3 at half-time and seemed certain to win, but Hawke’s Bay finished with two converted tries and a penalty to level the score. Taranaki had the advantage of the wind in the first half and their full-back, Steve Davidson, kicked four penalty goals and just before half-time the Taranaki hooker, Felix O’Carroll, scored a try which Davidson converted.

The Taranaki loose forwards were fast over the slippery field and the Hawke’s Bay players had difficulty picking up the rolling ball. But for all the ball that Taranaki won they did very little with it.

It was the Hawke’s Bay backs who showed the way, setting up a try for the flanker, Tim Carter, and six minutes before full-time a try for the prop, John O’Connor.

Both were converted by Jamie Francis, who also kicked a penalty'goal. Francis had kicked a penalty in the first half. This made for an exciting finish for the 2500 spectators.