THE PLAY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28936, 2 July 1959, Page 16

THE PLAY

British Isles was firmly on top in the early stages. McLeod was all but over and alter lb minutes British Isies took the lead when Scotland kicked a fine penalty goal from about 10 yards inside half-way.

British Isles 3, Universities ». Diack was close with an attempt at a penalty goat, but British Isles, throwing tne bad about beauthuiiy, was hot on attack again soon aiter. Risman in a determined straight run closed the fine but was turned on his back in tne tackle.

Not for the first time, Henderson broke from a ruck, but his grubber kick brought no positive reward. However, from the subsequent ruck Graham was within inches of the line and then Diack, coming In from the short side, was held up beneath the cross-bar. Just as Henderson* bent down to scoop up the ball from a ruck, McLeod and Prosser kicked the ball through and dribbled it down to the Universities line. Mulligan broke through some pitifully weak tackling near the half-way line and kicked to O’Reilly’s wing, where the massive Irishman gathered in the ball smoothly on the full and raced over in the corner Scotland converted.

British Isles 8, Universities 0 In the remaining eight minutes before half-time, the British Isles added a further 11 points. Play had scarcely resumed after O’Reilly had scored his try when Wood scored. Once again the Universities tackling was weak and Thomas cut through easily. O’Reilly caught Mitchell in possession and Wood picked up the loose ball to drive through in the comer. Scotland missed the conversion British Isles 11, Universities 0. A perfectly executed dummy scissors movement was the foundation ioi the next try. So smoothly was this worked with Thomas that Price was able to dummy his way through the remaining defences quite easily. Scotland missed a long attempt at conversion. British Isles 14,. Universities 0. Right on half-time. Price scored again in the comer Tills movement originated from a tight head won by British Isles. In a chain passing movement Thomas cut through and gave Price the try. Scotland converted. ' Half Time: British Isles 19, Universities 0. Within four minutes of i the resumption O'Reilly scored his second try. Rlsman charged down Brown’s cross kick, gathered It in and fed Price. O'Reiliv was the last to handle, and he scored well out. Scotland missed the conversion. British Isles 22. Universities 0. The Lions forwards, Faull and Smith, short passed in a movement which gained 30 yards and play ended in the comer, five yards from the Universities’ goal line. From a ruck the bad went to O'Reilly, who propped and passed out to Price. With a tremendous burst Price ran around two defenders to score in the comer. British Isles 25, University o.' The Universities’ forwards, now gaining more possession from scrums and lineous. fed their backs in several bright movements and play was taken to the Lions’ twenty-five. Universities scored their first points when Diack kicked a penalty goal from a difficult angle > when the Lions were penalised for off-side play. British Isles 25, Universities 3. Playing with great determination, the Universities’ forwards swept into Lions territory From a tight head, Henderson slipped a pass infield to Smither, who passed as quickly to Brown and out to the three-quarters. Play was stopped near the Lions goal line and from the ruck three Universities’ forwards crashed over near the goal posts. The referee ruled them off side. Universities returned to the attack and Leary took the ball and ran his backs into position. The ball shot out to Diack, who side-stepped infield and scored near the posts in a tackle He converted with a good kick. British Isles 25, Universities 8. From bhna side play, Diack received the ball in an uncomfortable position near the ®ide line, but a series oi side-steps and some weak' tackling allowed nim to score in almost the same position as his first try He converted with a good kick. British Isles 25. Universities 13. Universities lost the initiative soon after this and Price and Thomas and then O’Reiliv made several formidable breaks but the defence, a little less bewildered than earlier, stuck to its task grimly.