Kelston School for Deaf sends its netball and rugby teams to Russell. The rugby game against Russell started well and was an enjoyable one from the start to the end. Both teams played good rugby. The conditions at Russell were very hard and very different from the School for Deaf.
Running commentary from Mr Browne, coach in “The Chronicles of Titirangi, Mt Wellington and Kelston Schools of the Deaf”:
- School for the Deaf kicked off and attacked strongly from the whistle. The ball came clear from broken play and John Mansell scored a good try from fast following (3-0).
- The next score came from a penalty awarded to Russell for offside play (3-3).
- With both teams playing bright football [Rugby] the play switched quickly from end to end. From a line out John Mansell scored his second try (6-0).
- Russell kicked off in the second half and attached the School for Deaf line strongly but good kicking by George Collins kept Russell from scoring. However, Russell were not to be denied and they scored from a blind side movement (6-6).
- Good defensive work by the School for Deaf fullback Juno Mate kept Russell out and it was Kevin Pivac, the 2nd fifth eight for School for Deaf who set going the final scoring movement. He kicked towards the corner and in the race for the ball Graham Mansell scored to give the boys the lead once more (9-6).
- The game ended soon after and a very happy School for Deaf left the field. The best players were, in the back, George Collins and Juno Mate and in the forwards, John Mansell and Darcy Whauwhau.
Two netball teams played against Russell, with Team 1 playing an exceptionally good game to win 6-5, a vast improvement to their previous loss 15-1 at Kelston. Team 2 again played well but lost the game 4-2.
Source: “The Chronicles of Titirangi, Mt Wellington and Kelston Schools of the Deaf”
