Coast V. The Bay

There's nothing new in a tough Rugby duel between East Coast and Poverty Bay.

But this month's game had a special significance. It was the final trial before selecting the combined team to meet the Boks.

And it was the first time the old rivals had met on Rugby Park.

Thrilling football on a heavy field resulted in an eight-all draw.

Rugged, hard-rucking forward play was a feature of the game, but there were weaknesses in both sets of backs.

First five-eighth Bob Preston is pictured above racing away with the ball in a movement which led to the Bay's only try. Preston passed to winger Mick Cossey who dived over the goal-line.

Among the Bay's outstanding forwards were Alan Rowlands, Peter Blair, & Melvyn Wooster who was largely responsible for the home team's dominance of the line-outs.

Star of the Coast forwards was H. Potae, later named as captain of the combined team. His brilliant anticipation led to a try by George Horsfall.

Local Rugby supporters left the Park confident that the forwards would at least give the Springboks' pack some tough opposition. But they may have had some doubts about the backs' ability to check the Boks' attack.