Wgtn stays on course

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 21

Wgtn stays on course

Wellington stayed on, course for the National Mutual first division rugby championship when it beaF Counties, 23-13, at PukekoheZ It was Wellington’s first vic-2 tory there in four visits and" its first since 1978. 1 g In spite of dominating th<> line-outs, Wellington was held? to 6-6 at half-time and Coun- V ties started with a fiery siiuStS in the second spelt. However,. Mike Clamp gave Wellingtonnew heart with a corner try"; and the team scored three tries in . the space of 11 minutes to clinch the win.

Scorers.— For Wellington, Lolani Koko, Steven Pokere, Mike Clamp, Mark Hudson tries; John Gallagher two conversions, penalty goal. For Counties, Andrew Taiaimanu try; Richard Fry dropped goal, two penalty goals. • Waikato comfortably disposed of one of its more vaunted opponents, Wanganui, 29-9, in a national second division match at Hamilton on Saturday. The issue had. virtually been settled by half-time. When Waikato led, 19-0, and Wanganui did not score its try until the final minute. It was Waikato’s fourth championship win from as many matches.

Scorers.— For Waikato, S. Burkhart (2), J. Mitchell, A. Strawbridge tries; Strawbridge two conversion, three penalty goals. For Wanganui, S. Elmslie try; L. Harding, conversion and penalty goal. • At Te Kuiti, North Harbour took another positive step towards first division status when it beat King Country, 16-6, in a bright but rugged second division match between two uncompromising teams. North Harbour led at half-time, 7-6. Scorers.— For North Harbour, R. Kapa, P. Feeney tries; J. Thompson conversion, two penalty goals. For King Country, K. McQuilkin two penalty goals. • North Otago scored its first win in 20. matches when it recovered to beat East Coast, 18-9, in a third division match at Oamaru. East Coast led, 9-3, at half-time and it was 9-9 with five minutes remaining. ’ Scorers.— For North Otago, S. Lucas, S. Bloomburg tries; M. Kenworthy two conversions, two penalty goals. For East Coast, J. Kururangi try; K. Kururangi conversion) E. Manuel penalty goal. 1-1 • West Coast failed miserably in its Seddon Shield challenge against the holder, Marlborough, in Blenheim. Marlborough was ahead 160 after only 10 minutes and had the game in safe keeping at 34-0 at half-time. It was in front, 50-6, at full-time. The Marlborough backs scored all the’:potate;",tjis yoUiig whig, Joe: Stafford, in only ,his second game scoring four tries. ' f,-.'

For Marlborough, Joe Stafford (4), Paul Phillips (2), Paul Karena, Tony Hawke, Peter Marfell tries; lan Stark seven conversions. .For West Coast, Paul Davidson try; Bob Bird conversion. • Taranaki was ordered by its coach, Bill Batchelor, to play at pace against its opponent. North Auckland, and it ran on four tries in a 24-9 win in a national championship first division match at Rugby Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday. Scorers.— For Taranaki Bryce Robins, Kevin Barrett, Shane Gable, Grant Major; tries, Kieran Crowley four conversions. For north Auckland, Darrell Going three penalties. -■ *