Queensland bows to Counties

Press, 19 July 1976, Page 28

Queensland bows to Counties

PA Auckland With their forwards surging over the mud in quite magnificent fashion in the second half — and with the bonus of three penalty goals — Counties took a wellmerited 14-9 win over the touring Queensland rugby side on the gluey Pukekohe Stadium on Saturday. While the ball was dry and muscles fresh Queensland looked a very good team, and perhaps a winning one.

It put together a very solid scrum, Dave Hillhouse gave them command at the line-out, the backs moved smoothly and smartly and even the best of Counties’ combined attacks or counterattacks were stopped by low, copybook tackling. Clever play by Greg Shambrook organised a smart try by Don Regeling, and Paui McLean, every bit as good as his reputation suggests, converted with a splendid kick. But during the best play of the first naif, Queensland offered up 12 penalties and Owen Burnside managed to heft two of the shorter ones between the posts.

Even with half an hour to go the game was almost beyond Queensland, even if the brisk southerly they enjoyed in the first half obligingly turned into a soft northerly in the second. Mcßobbie scored Counties’ try and Burnside kicked three penalty goals. Regeling scored the Queensland try and Paul McLean kicked the conversion and a penalty goal. Queensland’s next match will be against Waikato on Wednesday.