Rugby win to Harbour

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 22

Rugby win to Harbour

PA Auckland North Harbour, after trailing North Auckland by 13 points at half-time, bounced back to win its national rugby championship game 27-22 at Onewa Domain on Sunday.

The Harbour selectorcoach, Peter Thorbum, was ecstatic over the win. "We have got five more championship points than at the corresponding time last season. What more could I ask?” The North Auckland forwards, playing their best rugby of the season, dominated the first half and set up a 22-9 lead.

lan Jones, Mike Budd and Frank Lamborn were in charge of the lineouts.

The North Auckland loose forwards Lamborn, Neil Ruddell and Willie Phillips thrived on the loose ball, while their counterparts contributed little to the match apart trying to tidy up loose ends in the tight.

Warren Johnstone converted his own try, for North Auckland, calmly kicked a 53-metre penalty goal and added two simple goals after Harbour erred under pressure.

Botica must have impressed national selectors Alex Wyllie, John Hart and Lane Penn with his skills. He probed the gaps and tidied the loose ends and kicked five penalty goals and two conversions. The North Auckland selec-tor-coach, Danny O’Shea, said his side seemed to lack the killer instinct.

Scorers: North Harbour 27 (I. Wood, P. McGahana, tries; F. Botica, 2 conversions, 5 penalty goals) North Auckland 22 (W. Johnstone, A. Goodhew, tries; Johnstone, conversion, 4 penalty goals).

Half-time: North Auckland 22-9.