Ponsony N.Z.’s top rugby team

Press, 11 April 1977, Page 4

Ponsony N.Z.’s top rugby team

. PA Welhngtoni Ponsonby won the New Zealand J champion of champions rugby ’ title when it beat Petone, 15-6,' ■at Petone yesterday • The Aucklanders scored two Iconverted tries at the end of the I first half to lead, 15-3. then; dominated possession so much in’ • the second spell it reduced the I match to line-outs and kicks for. i touch. Andy Haden. Peter Whiting I 1 and Maurice Trapp took charge • of the line-outs for Ponsonby. ; •‘What can you do with so little possession.” said the Petone capstain. Andy Leslie, after the; ■ match. h The game was potentially explosive for the first 30 minutes and in the twenty-sixth the' referee. Mr Peter McDavitt. broke through a flufry of fists and arms. Alter a severe chat, he allowed the teams to cool down before the game continued. ' Scorers.- Ponsonby: Leon Toki. Lin Colling tries. Joe Whui penalty, two conversions. For Petone: Richard Cleland, two • penalties. In the curtain-raiser. Otago University beat Christchurch, 13-10. in a game that contrasted sharply to the Ponsonby-Petone | match. j The teams were locked. 10-10, ; until the seventy-second minute. I

11 when the Otago full-back. Tony I Gillie 1 -. kicked the winning • penalty. ,| Scorers—Otago Univeratty: Graeme Elvin, Rex Harding tries, II Tony Gillies penalty, conveision : I Christchurch: Murrav McEwan i|try, Richard Wilson tup i penalties. •I On Saturday. Ponsonby «»< tar .too strong for the Canteiboiy champions. Christchurch, winning ; 31-21 but Christchurch, piayinx •with the wind, scored 12 of its jpoinls in the last 10 minutes. At • half-time Ponsonby led 21-3. In the other match Petone beat • iUniversih. 24-12. after leading 15-9 at half-time