Inspired Defence

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

Inspired Defence

SHIRLEY 13: B. Nunan and R. Hicks tries; B. Richards two conversions: R Hicks dropped goal. LINCOLN COLLEGE 6: J. Keoghan two penalty goals.

Inspired defence among the backs and superior vigour and speed in the forwards gave Shirley a deserved victory in a match which fell sharply into the troubled vale of rough play in the final stages. Shirley held its own in the line outs and gained a slight advantage in the scrums through R. Simpson’s hooking. But it was Shirley’s speed to the loose ball which frustrated Lincoln College. Lincoln was without several of its normal pack; while C. Broad, J. Bryden and A. J. Banks played well, their efforts did not gain enough possession. The Shirley backs, although well served by R. Gearry at half-back, lacked penetration. But this deficiency was amply compensated by their tackling. The Lincoln back-line, for all its speed and variations of play never penetrated the Shirley defence. D. Cope and B. Gardner made no mistakes on defence. Although the Lincoln backs were a fine attacking unit, with P. Le Lievre and J. Keoghan particularly impressive, they never managed to break through— except once when Le Lievre scored from a forward pass. Keoghan, who had his moments at full-back, suffered in comparison with B. Richards B. Nunan and R. Grenfell stood out among the Shirley forwards, and the whole pack played well. A considerable amount of offside play in the final 20 minutes, which went largely unchecked by the referee, led to the players taking corrective measures themselves. Fists and boots featured in several incidents. The most unfortunate moment was when Lincoln’s halfback, G. Rowsell, was kicked in the face, although this appeared to be quite accidental. This period spoilt the memory of a match which, over-all, produced some good hard Rugby. Referee: Mr J. M. Wood