St. Bede’s Forwards Ensure Victory

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31084, 13 June 1966, Page 16

St. Bede’s Forwards Ensure Victory

A well drilled forward pack laid the foundation of the St. Bede’s College victory over Shirley Boys’ High School at the school ground on Saturday. Only the tenacious defence of the Shirley backs, who saw little of the ball, kept the score within reasonable bounds.

The teams were:— St. Bede’s College.—J. R. Peters; J. B. McDermott, G. J. Donaldson, R. C. Berry; G. T. Brady, C. Day; A. P. Jones (captain), J. A. Mills, G. W. Diedrichs, V. E. Stewart, B. J. Lyons, J. N. Marinovic, D. E. Lindstrom, K. A. Cowan (vice-captain), J. C. Sutherland.

Shirley Boys’ High School. —B. A. Hanham; J. T. Doyle, R. J. Hudson, B. R. Hancox; I. D. Cretney, S. R. Mitchell; P. J. Baker (vice-captain); P. Gass, B. W. Yeatman, S. W. Miles, D. A. Hodges, G. E. Lodge (captain), G. E. Breese, G. D. Walker, H. S. Anderson

The first speM produced football of an extremely high standard. St. Bede’s College went quickly to a nine-point lead after Jones had placed three good penalty kicks and then college scored a try in the classic tradition.

The ball was won from a lineout and passed so quickly along the backline that the cover defence was completely outpaced. McDermott, the wing-three-quarters, took the ball at halfway, stepped inside the fullback and scored in the corner, well clear of other defenders.

The second try scored by St. Bede’s was simitar in execution and then the Shirley backs, in one of their rare moments of possession broke through the centre to send Doyle in for a try. Later in the game both teams neglected this mode of attack, preferring to probe closer to the scrum. But for the stirring play of the St. Bede’s College forwards the second spell was dull by comparison. The play of the St. Bede’s forwards showed a maturity unusual in a school team. The rucking was purposeful and quick, but it was their driving play and hand-to-hand passing which really impressed. In this Diedrtcks and Cowan were superb and Lindstrom was also a tremendous force. Stewart and Lyons gained almost complete control of the line-outs.

Jones, the half-back, had an excellent game. His passing was well directed: time and again he caught the opposing half-back around the scrum, and Ims covering and defensive kicking were of high quality. Day was a capable first fiveeighths and McDermott and

Berry were fast and determined wings. Few opportunities came the way of the Shirley backs, but Hudson looked a fast, elusive centre three-quarter. Tribute must be paid to their defensive qualities; most of their time was spent covering and tackling and this they did so well that the opposing backline was restricted to two tries.

The Shirley Boys’ High School forwards were outplayed by a heavier and taller pack. Breeze, however, was tireless in loose play and Yeatman, Lodge and Gass were never subdued.

Berry and Cowan also scored tries for St. Bede’s College and Shirley’s other points came from a penalty goal by Miles. The referee was Mr K. G. N. Orsbourn.