Late sport Handling spoils rubgy

Press, 19 April 1979, Page 6

Late sport Handling spoils rubgy

A hard. dry ground augered well for some fast free-flowing rugby at Denton Park last evening. Unfortunately’ basic passing and handling errors and a lack of team discinline often lowered the quality and tempo of the play. Results:— Burnside 20 (G. Finiki, P, McKay, J. Hanrahan, W. Low, tries; G. Church 2 conversions), beat Sydenham 14 (B. Nicholl 2 tries; K. Taylor 2 penalty goals). Marist 12 (B. McLean 2 dropped goals; B. Stewart 2 penalty goals) beat Albion 7 (M. Straight a try and a penalty goal). Sydenham, keen to improve. its undistiguished recent record, made a promising beginning against Burnside putting its opponents under pressure for much of the first half. Ken Taylor took advantage of a late tackle to put Sydenham three points up and soon after Brent Nicholl scored in what I was a fine example of the value of sustained pressure. In spite of these advantages, however, Sydenham threw chances away while Bumside was in the process of getting organised. This was especially evident among the backs whose passes were laboured and overlaps were often wasted by inside backs attempting to cut infield. Once the Burnside forwards settled down the ascendancy shifted smartly and two tries in lOmin put Burnside in front by halftime. Bumside continued its dominance for much of the second spell, especially in the tight where determined and aggressive play had Sydenham scrambling.

> Sydenham’s weakest facet was clearly in the line-outs. Here, in spite of having three men taller than Burnside’s biggest they were unable to win clean ball. Loose and untidy tap-backs were the best they could manage and as a result Sydenham’s half-back, Steven Papps, was given a torrid time as the Burnside forwards came through the line.

In this area of play none was better than Paul McKay, whose speed, anticipation and aggression were important contributions to Burnside’s victory. Graham Church was a key’ figure in Burnside’s control of the tight while at full-back Murray Lloyd looked a player of quality with some timely attacking runs.

For Sydenham. Brent Oetgen was a determined wing. Although his opportunities were limited he stood out as one of the few Sydenham players with the determination needed to gain points. Brent Nicholl, on the other wing, is a player of promise and he also made the most of his rare attacking chances. The main game of the evening between Marist and Albion promised much but produced little. The forward packs fought a bitter battle to get on top in the first 20min, keeping backline movements to a minimum.

The Marist forwards seemed a little sluggish and wilted under constant pressure. Albion’s props, Murray Davie and Richard Martin, were aggressive and Albion camped in Marist’s half for some time. The Albion inside backs looked a dangerous combination and repeated attacks were unlucky not to bring points.

Like Burnside in the earlier game. Marist managed to hold on while its camp was being put in order. The three tall men of the forwards. Vance Stewart. Terry Peterson and Bernie Oliver, ail won some clean line-out ball, giving their backline the chance to emerge from the shadows. Albion was never buckled in to complete submission and Marist could squeeze out only six points by half time. Albion began the second spell in a revitalised manner with the forwards especially giving a dedicated and purposeful display. They were rewarded by a try to Murray Straight, cutting Marist’s lead to a mere two points, but they could go no further. Marist held on and when the pressure was relaxed it exerted a forward dominance it had lacked earlier.

Albion must have been disappointed with the result. It not only scored the only try but its backline looked far more dangerous. Where Marist came through to victory was in its determined application especially in the tight. Marist also had the advantage of possessing two fine goal kickers in Bernie Stewart and “Aussie” McLean.

For Marist, Stewart gave an astute and cool display while Pay’ O’Byrne posed regular problems with powerful running in the loose and an aggressive attitude in the tight.

For Albion, the inside backs, Ralph Robertson, at half-back, and Nicky Dierck (first five-eighths) and Charlie Hodgshun combined well in some enterprising moves, while Alan Kerr gave a diligent display at lock.