Wellington slumps to third loss

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 32

Wellington slumps to third loss

NZPA London The Wellington rugby team slumped to the third consecutive loss of its tour of the British Isles with a 19-20 loss to a strong Swansea side under floodlights at the St Helen’s ground. The tourists led, .19-17, until the final minute of play when they gave away a ruck penalty. Swansea’s full-back, Mark Wyatt, who recently kicked all his club’s points in the defeat of the New Zealand Maoris, made no mistake from 22 metres. Wellington, boosted by the return of its four Maori players, the captain, Paul Quinn, the wing, Mike Clamp, the first fiVe-eighths,

Tu Wyllie, and the prop, Scott Crichton, started the game well. The backs played some enterprising rugby on a ground made difficult by recent heavy rain and in spite of the absence of the All Black wing, Bernie Fraser, who failed a fitness test on a -hamstring pulled in last Sunday’s loss to Leinster. Tries to Quinn and Clamp carried the tourists to a 16-10 lead at half-time and although Swansea hit the lead in a free-flowing second half, the All Black full-back, Allan Hewson, appeared to. make the game safe with a penalty. However, Wyatt was to have the final say.