UNWOOD LASTS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30420, 20 April 1964, Page 14

UNWOOD LASTS

Sydenham Challenge LINWOOD 8: S. J. Havill a try: W. F. McCormick a dropped goal and a conversion. SYDENHAM 6: G. A. Bartlett, a try and a penalty goal. Still displaying' the determined. businesslike mood it had shown against University B on the same ground the previous week, Sydenham badly bustled its strong opponent. In the first half the Linwood backs were thrown off their stride by the dedicated tackling of their opposites, and in the middle stages of the second half the Sydenham forwards achieved some • measure of superiority. Linwood was, at times, uncertain and unconvincing. On several occasions it had Sydenham pinned on its own goalline. but was unable to use the advantage to its benefit. But Sydenham had distinct possibilities in its three-quar-ters, three tall, long-striding players who gave the Linwood defence some of its busiest moments. Bartlett, the centre, was both enterprising and constructive, and B. Smith and G. Hay, the wings, were dangerous runners. Hay, who paved the way for Bartlett’s try, was the best of a good line of tacklers. Industrious McCormick, whose explosive energy contributed to some of the game’s exciting moments, was most industrious on defence and attack, particularly when the Sydenham threat was at its greatest. K. Fraser and K. Gimblett were elusive runners, and J. Havill had a keen duel with Hay.

The long-limbed flanker, R Tabb, now in his sixteenth senior season, was of great value to Linwood in the mauls, and R. Eastmond proved, a sound all-purpose forward. B. Sutherland again played purposefully for Sydenham in the tight, and C. G. King proved that his ability as a forward is not confined to his hooking. The referee was My A. V. (Langford.