Southland beats Wellington

Press, 16 August 1978, Page 42

Southland beats Wellington

PA Invercargill Once the Southland forwards applied themselves in yesterday’s national-cham-pionship rugby game against Wellington at Rugby Park the play of the whole team lifted and Southland was able to notch a 16-7 win. It was Southland’s third win in four games in the championship, and Wellington's first loss in three games. j Southland took a long i time to warm up — it was •well into the second half beifore it looked like getting on I top — although Wellington [ made a lot of errors when in i good attacking positions. Wellington led. 7-6, at half'time.

But once Southland started its run it proved unstoppable and both Southland’s tries were the result of heavy pressure. The loose forwards Leicester Rutledge, Sam Anderson and Ashley McGregor were able to storm through gaps in the Wellington line-out in the second half, putting a lot of pressure on the replacement half-back, John Healey.

Points-scorers for Southland were: Wayne Boynton and lan Donaldson tries; Gary Bennetts a dropped goal, Brian McKechnie a penalty goal and a conversion. For Wellington: Stu Wilson a try; Brian Cederwall kicked a penalty goal.