University Fights Hard To Defeat Linwood

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 16

University Fights Hard To Defeat Linwood

University A and New Brighton remained as the only unbeaten teams after the end of the round of the senior competition but University had to struggle hard to beat a determined and vigorous Linwood side at Lancaster Park.

The Linwood-University A game contained some fine Rugby. The University backs were not able to reproduce their sparkling play against Lincoln College but that was due to the efficient Linwood defence rather than design. Linwood’s tigerish forward play was one of the features of a tense, and often exciting game.

Grounds were in perfect order for Rugby but again teams did not seem to be able to score tries. Only 18 tries came from the seven games whereas 23 penalty goals were kicked. At Rugby Park the two matches produced 12 penalties and two tries.

It was unfortunate that the matches at Rugby Park which were marked by penalties were marred by many unsavoury incidents. Some of the play would have been more at home in a Marseilles waterfront cafe than on a Rugby field.

Two of the stronger sides, Old Boys and New Birghton, had hard matches at Rugby Park, All of New Brighton’s points against Sydenham came from goals kicked by G. Stanley and Old Boys were indebted to M. J. Millar’s accuracy with his kicking to its 12 point margin over Albion.

Marist continued its poor form by losing to Suburbs. Shirley gave a very good display to beat Merivale and could well become a force in the senior grade this season. Lincoln College’s prestige suffered another blow when it was bell beaten by Christchurch at Lincoln. One exception to the general run of matches was that between Belfast and University B. This match produced some delightfully uninhibited Rugby and both teams fully deserved the generous applause from the spectators as they left the field.

Results were:—

University A 17, Linwood 9. Christchurch 13, Lincoln College 3. Old Boys 18. Albion 6. Belfast 14, University B 9. New Brighton 12, Sydenham 6. Suburbs 14. Marist 5. Shirley 20, Merivale 0.

W. L. Pts Ch. Pts F. A. Univ. A ■ — 63 25 3 N. Bright .. 3 — 40 20 3 Chch, 9 1 46 17 2 Subs. 1 36 16 2 Belfast 9 1 23 23 2 H.S.O.B. .. 2 1 32 25 2 Lincoln .. 1 2 23 49 1 Linwood .. 1 *> 24 31 1 Albion .. 1 25 40 1 Univ. B .. 1 2 23 26 1 Syden. .. 1 9 17 40 1 Marist .. 1 2 11 26 1 Shirley .. 1 2 35 20 1 Meri. .. — 3 8 48 —