Country beat Town convincingly 31-13 in Southland 1976......

It was the forward play that saw Country beat Town in 1976.  The Country forwards completely dominated the Town side, and it was the younger brigade that tore the Town team apart.

Trevor Bokser, No 8 and Gary Cowan performed up to their usual standards and Eion Crossan who had played for the central colts in the previous two weeks showed that he would be a player to watch for the future.  
Half back Peter Nicholson who had come up from the Eastern colts and showed that he could mix it with the big boys, his decision making was impecable.
Country  hooker, Brian De Groot took advantage of the fact that the usual Eastern hooker, Bain McCall was not available due to him playing for the Emerging Players.
De Groot scored two fine tries in the game with precise passing from Trevor Bokser who made dominating breaks.
Of the town players, Tim Smellie was one that did not every give in and at moments seemed to be completely on his own trying to secure ball for his team.
John Mawhinney tried to help and although the backs did not get quality ball they did not help themselves by trying to do it own their own and not as a team.
Town full-back, Rangi Puki and Country's Eric Todd, exchanged penalty goals.
After De Groot's two tries Jimmy Cormack went over to give them their third try.
Town seemed like they did not want to be there and it was because of the lack of commitment and not want to secure the ball on the ground that saw Nicholson running the blind to give Cormack room to score his second try.
It was Bokser again that broke away from the scrum and fed the ball back to Crossan who saw the opportunity for a perfectly timed grubber kick to centre Colin Flynn who scored.
Near full time Bruce Lewis scored another try.
Steve Winter managed to score a try for Town.
COUNTRY:  Brian De Groot (2), Jimmy Cormack (2), Colin Flynn (1) Bruce Lewis (1) Eric Todd (2 Con 1 PG)
TOWN: Steve Winter (1) Rangi Puki (3 PG)
REFEREE:  Arthur Gormack.
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Reference:  The Southland Times July 1986