Lively Watkins Superb

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 16

Lively Watkins Superb

Served quickly by Lewis, the Lions backs showed great speed and all sorts of Rugby artifices. Watkins, imposing some discipline on his prancing sidestepping and cross-field running, had an excellent game. He was never bustled by the Universities’ loose forwards and his incisiveness, speed and thrust brought some of the best entertainment of the match. His quickness was shown when he dropped his first field goal. Even though the ball had been fumbled and went behind him, he recovered quickly and still had time to side-step a forward before kicking the goal. Perhaps at times he kicked too often when he had

breached the defence but obviously he had been told to curb his often extravagant running. Relishing his greater protection Lewis, at half-back, threw out quick and accurate passes and his dodging runs in loose play started some fine moves by the forwards. Bresnihan, playing only his second game on the tour, made a deep impression. His resolute tackling stopped many Universities attacks and his speed and flowing outside swerve brought him three good tries. Jones, his partner at centre, was a bit more ebullient than Bresnihan but hot quite so effective, and twice his defence faltered when Weston ran past him. Savage and Hinshelwood did not see much play but Hinshelwood made some strong runs. Cool and courageous, Rutherford played excellently at full-back. Three times in as many minutes he had to take an up-and-under with players hurtling at him but he stood his ground and marked the ball as the tacklers hit him. ASTUTE CAPTAIN Whether it was because there was a change of tactics, Pask made a good impression as captain. His astute play at the end of the line-out started some rolling passing rushes by the forwards, in which Norris, Mcßride and Grant joined to some purpose. Also Pask, Mcßride, and Grant never allowed the Universities forwards to burst through the line-out For the first time on the New Zealand tour the Lions used the end of the line-out extensively and they looked a far better team because of it. Mcßride, although losing a {lot of possession to Pohlen I towards the end of the match, played another good game. His bullocking run when he brushed away Hermansson, crashed through Davies’

tackle and then committed Williment to the tackle before passing to Jones, who placed Bresnihan in for his first try, • was an outstanding effort. The other lock, Thomas, worked hard at No. 3 in the line-out and was ‘most purposeful in the loose. Grant and Prothero were eager flankers and Grant, once Prothero was hurt found the fire that one expects from a man from Howick. Norris and Powell were purposeful props and Norris, in particular, was formidable in the loose. Laidlaw shared the tight heads with O’Shannessey, two-all. If the Universities’ pack did not compare physically or in team work with the Lions it matched them in spirit. At times they looked sluggish in the loose but there was some fine play by the rugged Hermansson. SHOWED MORE FIRE Pohlen asserted himself in the line-outs and Lindsay worked hard to contain Thomas. Barton and Wilson .were not very conspicious oh the flanks but injuries probably slowed them down. McDonald played well at prop and showed more fire than most of the forwards. Meech blocked efficiently in the line-outs and O’Shannessey was a quick’striker. The Universities’ backs tried hard to keep play flowing. They had the initial impetus from Laidlaw’s long spinning passes and Kember’s speed, but in the centre Davies was a trifle slow and Weston, although he made one swift break, was usually contained by Bresnihan. Montgomery, a bustling speedy wing, outplayed Savage. He bounced out of tackles, used his speed well and looked the best of the wings. Osborne had few chances to run but defended adequately. Williment was not his usual self at full-back. He made some nipe runs but his play lacked authority.