Britain’s big win

Press, 19 July 1984, Page 6

Britain’s big win

NZPA staff correspondent Wellington Great Britain turned on the best performance of its New Zealand rugby league tour when it brushed aside a weak Central Districts side, 38-6, in Wellington last evening. Britain’s win was never in doubt. The tourists made a dream start with a try after only two minutes and they scored six more. The pitch was firm in spite of a week of rain and the backs revelled in the space they were allowed and the amount of ball they received in the first half. Britain won the scrums three to one in the first 40 minutes and it should have put more points on the board. It led, 22-0, at half-time from four tries and added another three in the first 20 minutes of the second half before cruising for the last quarter of the match. Central Districts’ only try came after 72 minutes. After a fine move in which Central’s “man-of-the-match,” Sam Stqwart, handled twice, the Rodney Rasmussen,

scored. Great Britain could not have asked for a better start when its centre Steve Donlan raced over on the right wing in the opening minutes. The backs were running through tackles, creating plenty of space and always looked dangerous running on to the ball. They were given plenty of opportunities by the scrum-half, Andy Gregory, who had a marvellous match capped off by two tries. The full-back, Mick Burke, who had a good game linking up in the back-line kicked four goals from six attempts and Joe Lydon, a replacement for the stand-off Tony Myler, added one. Myler was playing his first game in New Zealand and was given only half a game after suffering from food poisoning at the week-end. Scorers:— Great Britain: Andy Gregory 2, Brian Noble 2, Steve Donlan, Mike Smith, Gary Clark tries; Mick Burke 4, Joe Lydon goals. Central Districts; Rodney Rasmussen try; Dale Miritana goal.Sy