Belfast Wasted All Its Chances

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

Belfast Wasted All Its Chances

OLD BOYS 22: Tries by J. Irving (4) and R. Grenfell (2). M. Miller and Grenfell converted two of them. BELFAST 9.

Superiority in all departments gave Old Boys an easy victory over a completely disorganised Belfast side. The fact that Belfast was playing on its home ground added nothing to its incentive and it could never raise itself above mediocrity. On the few occasions that Belfast did find itself within striking distance of the Old Boys’ line, it wasted all its opportunities with wild passing and foolish kicking. The Belfast forwards rarely showed any fire and gave their half-back, K. Cassidy, practically no protection and, although having an obvious height advantage, were out-jumped almost without exception in every line-out. In spite of gaining complete dominance. Old Boys also made their share of mistakes, many of which would have proved costly against a team quicker off the mark. After early successful penetrating runs, the inside backs, especially R.l

Grenfell, frequently ran into trouble trying to barge through a non-existent gap. However, the backs did try to ■ make use of the possession won by their forwards and made many very bright runs The Old Boys wing, J. Irving, was the outstanding back, on the field. All four of his tries were scored from determined blind side moves or as the extra man in the five-eighths. P O’Malley, at second five-eighths, was also sound.

The Belfast backs were nearly always on defence and had little chance to prove themselves on attack. E. Williams, playing on the wing, was sound. Referee: Mr A. R; Taylor.