Counties embarrassed

Press, 18 May 1989, Page 48

Counties embarrassed

PA New Plymouth The former All Black captain Andy Dalton will want to forget his first outing as Counties’ rugby coach after his team was well beaten, 9-26, by King Country at Otorohanga yesterday. The result was a great surprise as King Country, a lowly second division side last season, took on the might of first division Counties. Counties was unfortunate not to lead by more than 9-6 at halftime. The referee, Paul

Burdett, failed to play the advantage law when the Counties wing, Grant Nolan, was heading for the try line. Instead of six points, Counties only had the three from the boot of Stu Hollier. But forward pressure from the home team led to the day’s first try 9min into the second half. The ball went to the King Country first five-eighth, Nigel Swain, who spotted the Counties players offside, switched positions then fed Simon Bradley on the burst. Bradley scored in the corner.

Twelve minutes later Bradley was over again, this time following a move from inside the King Country 25m line. Dennis Perham stayed on his feet in the tackle, unloaded to Pita Coffin who quickly fed to the half-back, Chris Wills. Wills made about 20m before putting Bradley in the clear. scorers:— King Country 26 (Simon Bradley 2, Hutana Coffin tries; Coffin 3 penalties; Nigel Swain drop goal, Dennis Perham conversion) beat Counties 9 (Stu Holli.er 3 penalties). Half-time 6-9.