Attractive Game To Linwood

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 16

Attractive Game To Linwood

LINWOOD 14: R. Cocks and K. tries: P JeMyman a penalty goal; W. F. McCormick a penalty goal and a conversion UNIVERSITY A U: R. Field and J. Klrkby tries: D. C. Leary a conversion and a penalty goal. Linwood was a little lucky to win a hard but quite attractive game on a slippery surface at Lancaster Park Oval. Eight points scored n five minu’es. much against the run of play, left University A 11 points behind with 20 minutes to go, and the hurdle was a little too high. Linwood scored the best try of the match In the second minute of the game, and was firmly on top for the first quarterhour. Thereafter, University A more than held its own and. In fact, staged many strong attacks tn the second spell. After losing the first few lineouts. University A won them with monotonous regularity, mainly throueh the efforts of the locks. Field and Kirkby. University won clean line-out possession 40 times to Linwood’s 15, and it says much for Linwood's defence that attack after attack by the University backs failed. Linwoods’ tackling was superb right through the back-line, and on defence R. Eastmond was often posted as an extra back. University could not beat Linwood’s defence, and both its tries came from fine, driving play by the for wards. It would probably have been wise to have returned play to the forwards

I more regularly, for they looked .most efficient. Apart from their Ikne-out successes, Kirkby and Field both played excellent j games, and so did R. Mahan at ' the back of the scrum, and D. i Brooker in the front row. i B. Prestidge started indifferently at first five-eighths, but settled down and took some difficult passes, as well as good ones, proficiently and set his line going quickly. Leary’s handling and anticipation were ! excellent. ! Linwood’s forwards, always ' hard to contain, had a particularly hard match. They earned 1 the first try with their speed *to the ball. Twice within momj ents they won rucks quickly, I and the second time the Lin- | wood backs far outnumbered ! the defenders. With Linwood not going forward as much as usual, R. EastI mond showed only flashes of the attacking brilliance of earlier games; but K. Wyber was prominent on occasions, and the front row of D. Couch, A. Holland, and B. Mason was strong and resolute. Linwood’s backs defended nobly, but had few opportunities on attack. But the side’s second try was a'.-so a particularly good one, Gimblett going over after a very well-timed scissors movement. Like the Duke of Plaza Ttfrro. McCormick led his regiment from behind—but it was a | positive and effective lead. His tackling and taking were as 'sure as ever, and his presence must have been a comfort to [the hard-working forwards. I Referee: Mr A. F. Gurnsey.