Nelson Bays still top

Press, 19 July 1976, Page 28

Nelson Bays still top

PA Wellington Nelson-Bays retained its lead in the second division of the national rugby championship by clinching victory, 17-14, over MidCanterbury with a try in the last minute of play in Nelson. The winners dominated the line-outs 20 to 11, in spite of the formidable MidCanterbury lock, John Ross, whose 6ft 7in frame towered above any Nelson-Bays forward. Play was scrappy and notable for the missed kicking opportunities of both sides. Scorers:— Nelson-Bays: Colin Haigh two tries. Bill Lucore three penalties. Mid-Canterbury: Mike Tapley. Peter McGregor. Geoff Bryant tries; Tapley, conversion. Manawatu scored a slightly flattering win over Southland on the first match of its southern tour at Rugby Park, tnvercargill, on Saturday, 23-9.

i Manawatu, playing with a light breeze, had a handy ; 9-3 lead at half-time. Howi ever, the margin could have • been greater had Manawatu ; taken full advantage of its • own opportunities, and j Southland’s weak defence. The Southland forwards came back strongly early in 1 the second half, setting up ’ several memorable forward ■ rushes, and it was the Mana- , watu defence that was conI sistently pierced by the Southland secohd-five-I eighths. Murray Mitchell. However. Manawatu struck i back to score three tries in the last 15 minutes, two of which were runaway efforts, ; against a tiring Southland : side. Ken Maharey. Paul Braderlow, Mark Wright and Doug Rollerson scored tries for Manawatu. wi'" Rollerson ■ adding two conversions and 1 a field goal. Davis scored a try for Southland, which was converted by Geoff Valli, who also kicked a penalty.