Manawatu loses ‘sevens’

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 6

Manawatu loses ‘sevens’

I I NZPA Staff Coi respondent Hong Konz For the second year in «ucceasion. Fiji yesterday left the New Zealand provincial seven-a-side rugby champion In its wake when winning the Hong Kong international “sevens” tournaments. The Victim last night (New Zealand time) was Manawatu, which lost. 10-14. in a tight game played tn extremely muddy conditions. Last year Fiji beat Marlborough in the final. Fresh from victory over Australia in the semi-finals Manawatu looked capable of upsetting the hard running Fijian side in the final of the 16 country tournament.

Manawatu tried hard to retain possession and to drive through the Fijian ranks in a series of peel-off doves from mauls. The team constantly pressured the Fijians by getting quickly to the loose ball and tackling hard. The tactics looked like being successful. Paul Broederlow scored in the opening minutes and Alan (nnes converted. A sweeping 40 metre Fijian movement. with the slippery ball being handled as though the mud were glue, ended witn Ratu Qele scoring. Islmele Batlbasaga’s conversion resulted In a half-time score of 6-6. Soon after the resumption Peter Howard scored for Fiji but Manawatu struck back quickly when Innes slid 5m In a tackle to reach the try line. The eaptaln. Peter Cook, missed the

. conversion close to the posts. it seemed that extra time I would be needed to decide the I winner but with seconds remaining the Fijian wing. Roger Howard. plucked in a one-handed pass from a rolling ball and raced 30m to score in the comer. 17)0 final whistle went inttnediately after the conversion attempt failed. Manawatu worked its way to , the quarter-finala wit It victories over Malaysia, Indonesia and | Hawaii. I Scores.— Manawatu beat Malaysia. 16-6; beat Hawaii. 18-0; beat Indonesia. 36-0. The New Zealand team reached the semi-finals by beating Japan, 28-0. Heavy rain fell throughout the match. Manawatu overwhelmed Australia to reach, the final. The final score of 12-10 did not redact the New Zealand side’s superiority. Tackling surely and muffling Its opponents into error, the Ranfurly Shield holder dominated the match from the opening whistle. Tries by Alan Innes and Ken Maharey gave Manawatu an 8 0 advantage before Australia scored. After half-time. Grant Bowater added a try for Manawatu, Australia scored again right on full-time but the conversion left the Kiwis still sure nf victory. Fiji beat Tonga. 25-0. in the other semi-final. Australia won through to plav the New Zealanders bv beating Korea 22-4.