Lucky draw for Manawatu

Press, 1 October 1979, Page 25

Lucky draw for Manawatu

PA Rotorua Manawatu retained its place in the national fist division rugby championship on Saturday with a lucky six-all draw with Bay of Plenty at Rotorua.

This means that Graham Mourie's Taranaki side will now spend next season in the second division.

Bay of Plenty lead 3-nil at half-time and would have been even further ahead but for several missed penalties i by Greg Rowlands and Casey Wanoa. However, Manawatu came back strongly in the secondhalf and with a strong following wind scored the only try of the match through Ken Granaer. Mike Banks's conversion : gave Manawatu a lead, but'

Rowlands levelled the score four minutes from the end with a penalty from 25 metres.

Bay’ of Plenty fielded five new players and this obviously affected their pattern of play. The match was very much a stop-start affair, with the refeere, Mr C. Gregan, of Waikato, awarding many penalties.

The only incident in the game came in the 26th min- . ute of the first-half when : the Bay of Plenty forward. iDave Matushka, was ordered off for allegedly kicking a Manawatu player during a ruck.

Scores: Bay of Plenty, Greg Rowlands, two penalties.

I Manwatu, Ken Granger, [ try. and Mike Banks, conversion.