The Pay-off

The increase in efficiency and fitness, through regular physical exercise as well as football training, has given the Poverty Bay rep team a new outlook on their game and paid off with a great record so far this season. With the match against Hawkes Bay to be decided after going to press, their achievements read -- seven games for one loss, one draw and five wins. They have scored a total of 93 points to 73 against and have had their line crossed only eight times, five of which were in the game against King Country. They have scored fifteen tries so far.

Under the direction of athletic coach Graham Thomas, training sessions are held every Sunday morning after a six mile run.