Late Burst Gave Suburbs Victory

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 16

Late Burst Gave Suburbs Victory

SUBURBS 14: B. Metson, V. Sykes, N. Chapman and L. Cottrell tries; A. White a conversion. ALBION 3: B. Sanders a penalty goal.

Expected to provide Some light entertainment. Suburbs only jelled in the last quarter of the main match at Rugby Park. The teams began With energy and enthusiasm but play became almost confined to an area between the twenty-fives—cross-wise, not length-wise. The few mildly ' complaining spectators might have been forgiven for the impression the ground had been turned round like Lancaster Park oval.

It was 20 minutes before. Albion left its half noticeably, and only for a short period at -the beginning of the second half did it attack at all threateningly. However, its defence was good until near the end and this was what prevented Suburbs from playing the game they might have intended. The Suburbs inside backs, W. Cottrell and B. Metson, worked neatly untn Metson went off. but it was the former repre-

sentative, V. Sykes, at centre, who Was the outstanding figure and a guide for the burst of scoring at the end which changed a likely 3-3 draw to a convincing win. A whole side was infused with more pace and determination.

W. Jones and-A.’White gained possession' in the tight; the flankers, N. Chapman and M O'Malley, linked with their backs; ■ the half, 'L. Davis, directed his passes well; and Sykes and L. Cottrell, a wing, swept to the line. Albion was far from its best. It gained a certain amount of ball, with R. Rowlatt especially adept in line-outs and D. Balioch forcing in the loose, but it did nothing with it. There were some unfortunate kicks which’ went behind and some embarrassing attempts at speculators. J. Adams, second five-eighths, and R Phelan, centre, were among those who kept the Suburbs backs under control for so long but they could not penetrate themselves. A. Harrison did not have a happy time at full-back before he left at halftime with a shoulder Injury. Referee: Mr B. E. Powell.