A Near Triumph

The Combined Team turned on a great effort in their match against the Lions and except for a little bad luck such as David Swann's kick being charged down and Sonny Rutene's dropkick just missing goal the game could have easily been a draw, if not a win, for Poverty Bay-East Coast.

The visitors arrived at the airport on the Monday and were officially welcomed that evening. Before the game on Wednesday a long parade of colourful floats, preceded by a dribbling contest, was staged before a large crowd.

Collins' magnificent try in the second half brings jubilation to Hamish McDonald and Bill Stewart (3). The Lion is R. Young.

John Collins dives across the line...

....and the crowd roars.

Lions manager D. J. O'Brien leads the team off the plane

N. A. Murphy and C. W. McFadyean arriving

P.B.R.U. official Chick McHugh and J. D. Robins, Lions assistant manager

A. R. Lewis, R. H. Young, C. M. Gibson, F. A. Laidlaw and D. I. Bebb cross the tarmac

Part of the large crowd at the airport to welcome the visitors.

Three more Lions are B. Price, D. Williams and D. Watkins

David Powell signs an autograph for Margaret Hills

W. J. McBride

W. D. Thomas

On behalf of the team, Lions manager D. J. O'Brien receives a Willie Weka from Poverty Bay Rugby Union president, Birnie Wolstenholme.

Joe Lockwood, broadcaster Norm Lee, and Charlie Broughton were at the reception

Cushla Liddell and Sandra Booth with Lions Ken Kennedy and Barry Bresnihan

Stand-off half Mike Gibson is the Lion adopted by the Gisborne Boys' High School and on the Tuesday morning he addressed the boys at assembly. He presented the First XV with their caps and also a Lions badge each, and gave captain Graham Lewis a pair of Lions sox.

The boys then presented Mike with a magnificent book of Peter Mc-Intyre's paintings of New Zealand, a set of High School football gear and a school cap.

From left to right are (front), Tony Nicholson, Patrick Pohatu, Kevin Cross, Graham Lewis, Frank Walker (vice-capt), Warwick Stevens, Roger Hyland; (centre) Anton O'Connor, Peter Martin, Tim Sherriff, George Ria, Tereaki Piri, and Mr Geo Marsden (coach); (back) Gordon Barbara, David Burton, Kim Harris, Mike Gibson, Alister Swann, Tori Collier and Mike Parkinson.

Mike also presented Maurice Priestly with a badge.

Frank Walker, Graham Lewis, Headmaster Mr G. M. Simpson, and Mike Gibson at the presentation

Mike Gibson with his gifts

Part of the parade and crowd at the Gladstone Road-Peel Street intersection

Willie Weka leads the parade...

Adele Archibald, Sally Wilkie, Jennifer Goodwin and Julie Capes having fun on a fire engine float

...but one of the spectators has misgivings

Bob McKay (H.S.O.B.) leads the dribbling contest at the Peel Street corner

Merv O'Halloran (Marist) charges on in approved fashion

Tony Rutledge (H.S.O.B.)

David Dods (Ngatapa)

Gary Tocker (Pirates)

Preceded by the ball boys, Stewart and Murphy, followed by Collins, lead their teams on to the field.

David Swann prepares to give Combined their first three points

A Combined attacking movement in progress as Sonny Rutene passes to Alan Lewis. they are followed, from left, by Terence Murphy, Ben Milner, Mervyn Taylor and Ian Kirkpatrick. The Lions, from left, are M. Weston, D. Powell, R. McLoughlin and B. Price. Hamish McDonald and Bill Stewart at top right.

Tackled by a Lions player Ian Kirkpatrick loses the ball but Ben Milner and Garry Thompson are on hand to give support.

Congratulating John Collins after his try is Bill Stewart. Sonny Rutene, Hamish McDonald, and Garry Thompson return to the field. The Lion is scrum-half R. H. Young.

Young in the picture again as he goes for Ben Milner who is taking the ball from a scrum.

Lions D. Powell (3) and K. Kennedy, and Bill Stewart, Nui Tibble and Terry Murphy waiting for the ball in a line-out.

Combined captain Bill Stewart has a few words with referee Mr D. McKay over the incident in which it is believed Terry Murphy's ear was bitten in a scrum.

Half-back Milner clears the ball from a scrum

Surrounding players at the end of the game.

Previous article Issue contents Next article

The Gisborne Photo News

No 147 : September 7, 1966

A Near Triumph