TACKLING GOOD

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 16

TACKLING GOOD

6-0 Win By Sydenham SYDENHAM 6: A. Howard a penalty goal and a field goal. BELFAST 0. Good tackling accounted for the failure of either Belfast or Sydenham to score a trv in the early match at Lancaster Park south, won 6-0 by Sydenham. Sydenham deserved to win as it had a more cohesive forward pack, but the standard of back ' play seldom rose above the mediocre. Belfast’s forwards could not challenge the line-out jumping of A. Jolley and B. Wilson, and were slower at getting into the rucks than Sydenham. The two Sydenham loose forwards. P. Riddell and A. Massie, played well. Massie harried the Belfast backs and Riddell was sound on cover defence.

The Belfast forwards, with R. Inwood prominent, never gave up but could not match Sydenham. G. Simpkin and C. Peni were the best Belfast backs, and K. Morgan had some good runs on the wing, but Belfast’s tactical kicks usually carried too far. However, Belfast was more willing to run than Sydenham until the closing stages. A. Howard wasted his backs by kicking too often, although h*e scored all the side’s points. His penalty was an unusual one in that an earlier kick had fallen short. Belfast cleared but failed to reach touch and its forwards were offside following the kick. G. Hay made some .good runs on the Sydenham wing but the two best backs on the field were the full-back, D. Gallop (Sydenham) and W. Richardson (Belfast). Both handled well and made some long line kicks. Referee: Mr L. S. Kirk.