New Zealand v Poland 1975 - Second Test
By Tracy Holmes

While Mauger & Briggs lifted off for Houston, the Poles made it to Christchurch.

On Saturday, February 1, there was an International Pairs meeting at Templeton featuring John Louis, John Davis, Zenon Plech, Edward Jancarz, Graeme Stapleton and Robin Adlington. This was a tragedy! Why? Imagine if those 6 had have been joined by the rest of the Poles, along with any number of A-grade locals for a 20 heat Super meeting, 16 riders and 2 reserves???!!!

I'm talking Larry Ross, Graeme Stewart, Gavin Rhodes, Paul Fewings, Kevin Burt, Roger Abel, Paul Salt, Gary Reid and one very enthusiastic visitor from Italy, Guiseppe Marzotto. Yes, Mr 'GM' himself. I mean, there are 20 riders right there! It would have been a spectacular show and would have given the Polish lads a wonderful experience to ready themselves for the coming Test. [ You live in a dream-world you do! ] Well, a massive and missed opportunity.

Wednesday, February 5 at Templeton, saw another Kiwi victory but a much closer score. And at half time, the visitors lead 27-26! Rain added to the drama and when the heavens opened to make the last two heats treacherous, Plech & Bruzda were like ducks in water. The spectators that stayed till the end were well rewarded. And Poland could certainly hold their heads high and look forward to Saturday's contest. New Zealand 1. Poland 0. One void.

2nd Test

Heat 1. Mauger, Plech, Pyszny, Ross.
Heat 2. Tkocz, Briggs, Adlington, Bruzda.
Heat 3. Jancarz, Peterson, Stapleton, Jurczynski.
Heat 4. Mauger, Kostka, Tkocz, Ross. Bruzda ns
Heat 5. Jancarz, Adlington, Jurczynski nf. Briggs ef
Heat 6. Plech, Peterson, Stapleton, Pyszny.
Heat 7. Jancarz, Mauger, Jurczynski, Stewart. Ross ns
Heat 8. Plech, Adlington, Pyszny, Briggs.
Heat 9. Peterson, Stapleton, Tkocz, Bruzda.
Heat 10. Mauger, Plech, Pyszny, Ross.
Heat 11. Adlington, Bruzda. Tkocz ef Briggs ef
Heat 12. Peterson, Jancarz, Stapleton, Jurczynski.
Heat 13. Mauger, Bruzda, Tkocz, Ross.
Heat 14. Briggs, Jancarz, Adlington, Jurczynski.
Heat 15. Peterson, Stapleton, Plech, Pyszny.
Heat 16. Mauger, Jancarz, Jurczynski, Ross.
Heat 17. Plech, Briggs, Adlington, Pyszny.
Heat 18. Bruzda, Peterson, Tkocz, Stapleton.

New Zealand 56
Ivan Mauger 3 3 2 3 3 3 (17)
Gary Peterson 2 2 3 3 3 2 (15)
Robin Adlington 1 2 2 3 1 1 (10)
Graeme Stapleton 1 1 2 1 2 0 (7)
Barry Briggs 2 ef 0 ef 3 2 (7)
Larry Ross 0 ns 0 0 0 0 (0)
Res Graeme Stewart - 0 - - - - (0)
Res Gavin Rhodes dnr

Poland 50
Edward Jancarz 3 3 3 2 2 2 (15)
Zenon Plech 2 3 3 2 1 3 (14)
Andrzej Tkocz 3 1 1 ef 1 1 (7)
Piotr Bruzda 0 ns 0 2 2 3 (7)
Piotr Pyszny 1 0 1 1 0 0 (3)
Andrzej Jurcznyski 0 nf 1 0 0 1 (2)
Res Zygfryd Kostka - 2 - - - - (2)

This article was first published on 12th March 2023