Former All Black nails his man

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 1

Former All Black nails his man

PA Wellington The former All Black captain, Andy Leslie, brought down a fleeing robber with a flying tackle in a Petone street yesterday. Seconds earlier the man had snatched a bag from a female clerk employed by the Petone Borough Council. She had been on her way to the bank about 11 a.m. to deposit $3OO in cash, plus cheques. The snatch was seen by Mr Jack Ward, who had just left Mr Leslie’s men’s wear shop. Mr Ward foottripped the man and sent him sprawling.

“I was knocked over as well and I yelled out to Andy,” said Mr Ward. “Andy came racing out of the shop. By this time the bloke was up again and heading r'f round the corner. “Andy was really motoring when he shot past me. He caught up with the bloke near the council car-park and bowled him with a mighty flying tackle.” said Mr Ward. Mr Leslie held the man until the police arrived. The former All Black said that once he had brought the man down he gave no trouble.

“I think he would have been pretty sore after he hit the ground.” The bag and money were recovered. The clerk was shaken but unhurt. Sen i o r-Sergeant N. Wyne, of the Lower Hutt police, praised the efforts of those who had helped. “He was not armed as it turned out but it takes a bit of courage to get involved in something like this and Andy Leslie and Jack Ward deserve congratulations.” Mr Ward had only one misgiving — the impact left him lying on the footpath with a large hole in his trousers.