Description Comments

“Fresh fields after league mudbath”

Object type

Image

Description: These images were taken for the Evening Standard on 12th August 1990 but were not published. They depict scenes from the national under-19 Rugby League tournament held at Massey University, with Manawatū taking on the Wellington side.

Although none of the images were published, Campbell Mitchell wrote the following short article for the Monday, 13 August edition: “STICKY conditions affected the standard of play on the first day of the national under-19 rugby league tournament at Massey University yesterday.

At the finish of the four games, the grass on the two fields had been churned up and players were unrecognisable. Today's games were being played on two fresh fields.

Manawatu opened the tournament with an 8-6 win over West Coast.

It took a while for Manawatu to warm up and found itself trailing 6-0 just after halftime. Two second half tries, to Olly Ruaine and Damian Turner, one in the dying minutes, clinched the win.

Inside centre Hapi Taunoa had an excellent game for Manawatu directing play and always in the action.

Second-rower Roger Davidson also played well taking the ball upfield strongly.

Martin Paul made a break and passed to Olly Ruaine who sold a big dummy before charging over the line to score and give Manawatu the victory.

The game was as close as the score indicates with Manawatu showing better fitness in the final minutes...”