Suburbs Just Hold Out

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31108, 11 July 1966, Page 16

Suburbs Just Hold Out

SUBURBS 12: P. Mannix and W. Cottrell scored tries: K. Nicholas kicked two penalties. MERIVALE-PAPANUI 8: T. Toomey scored a try, M. Culhane kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Merivale-Papanui left its run too late against Suburbs which won 12-8 after surviving a hectic Anal 15 minutes.

The Merivale-Papanui forwards decided to play as a unit and obtained good possession for Its backs to run hard and straight. T. Toomey finally •cored as a result of this sustained pressure but the final whistle blew soon afterwards with the slide on attack again It was a disappointing game with much scrappy forward play and frequent cross field running by both backlines. The Suburbs pack had an edge for a greater part of the game but surprisingly lost its grip in the final quarter. The untidy Merivale-Papanui line-out p’ay was often exposed by Suburbs which drove through •nd gained much valuable ground.

B. Murray and W. O’Malley were often prominent for suburbs and Mannix played soundly. Had the Merivale-Papanui pack produced its form of the final 15 minutes earlier in the match. Suburbs would undubtedly have had its hands full. For most of the match the Merivale-Papanui pack was disappointing. There was Little cohesion or concerted drive in Its play and some untidy knocking back in the line-outs proved embarrassing. Little penetration was seen from either back-line. W. Cottrell was an exception; he made a number of good runs, but lack of support usually halted these movements.

Both the Merivale-Papanui wings, B. Leadbetter and W.

McLaughlan, were prominent with some strong running and the replacement half-back, J. Taylor, played soundly. Referee: Mr D. M. Hume.