Penalty Deception

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31087, 16 June 1966, Page 17

Penalty Deception

A map try to Price when he ran from a tap penalty after Combined had obligingly trotted back to the posts for the goalkick gave the Lions a 5-0 lead after 15 minutes. It did not last long. Smith kicked a penalty goal and the Combined team, which was a bit bemused until then, began to batter the Lions from loose play. There was some torrid play In the next 10 minutes as Lamont, Price and Telfer thrust through the Combined defence and Gibson’s astute kicking and Westons lofty punts sent the Combined back, ,currying back on defence. Just when the Lions seemed ready to cut loose after Rutherford had begun a delightful passing movement from his own line. Price injured a leg in a ruck and the pack was not the same force.

However, the Lions scored two quick tries to make the score. 15-3. and apparently had the game in safe keeping. Gibson darted back infield through a bewildered defence and then McFadyean, who was a fast and dangerous runner on the left wing, outsped the defence in a 50-yard run after Bresnihan bad kicked ahead. This should hare been the time the Lions showed their paces, but two penalty goals to Smith narrowed the margin to 15-9 and there were ominous holes in the Lions’ line-out as as Combined concentrated not

on gaining possession, but on spoiling what the Lions had. The Combined backs obviously had been relegated to a defensive role and to place the ball by the forwards. This they did enthusiastically and at times skilfully. The way the game was going was seen when Gibson, previously very cool, had a kick charged down. This was the clarion call to the Combined forwards. Through they poured, treading on Lamont on the way.

It seemed to be Southland all over again. Young was buffeted and bruised from line-outs and rucks, the gold Combined jerseys swirled everywhere in fierce and unrelenting pursuit of the ball.

Against the run of play the Lions scored. Smith fumbled a kick and Combined was driven to its own line. McFadyean darted around the end of the line-out and slithered through a group of bewildered forwards. Rutherford's conversion made the score 20-9 with 15 minutes left.

Back came Combined. Dench. Vercoe. a rangy flanker who was nlaying superbly, Hannam and Foley were rough and tough, and committed some indiscretions. A vigorous and almost frightening pack charged ahead. The Lions, too. were in an aggressive mood. Lamont. Grant and Powell had a mix-up with three other forwards which brought cheers from the crowd almost as If they were looking at gladiators—not amateur Rugby players. A penalty by Smith brought it to 20-12 and Combined tried hard in the last 10 minutes. Dench nearly scored, Foley was dragged down a yard from the Tine; B. V. Sampson muffed a scoring chance near the line but the defence never faltered and the game ended as it had started with players sprawled on the ground after a ruck.