Rugby In The Mud

A small but enthusiastic crowd witnessed the wettest and muddiest game this season when Auckland defeated Poverty Bay by 13 points to 6 at Rugby Park last month. Played under atrocious conditions, the game soon deteriorated into a mud bath, and play was often held up while players went to the sideline to wash mud from their eyes.

Although defeated in points, Poverty Bay played a grand game and held the upper hand throughout the second half with their hard-working forwards overshadowing the Auckland pack. Both lots of backs had a poor day, with the sluggish field and slippery ball making bright back play impossible.

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Poverty Bay half back George Walford getting his pass away from a mud-covered ruck

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This determined forward's run stopped abruptly

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Players washing mud from eyes became a common sight