Old Boys Display Speed And Skill

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

Old Boys Display Speed And Skill

OLD BOYS 36: T. Mehrtens (2), A. G. Steel (2), R. Grenfell, P. A. Hatchwell, D. J. Graham scored tries: M. J. Millar kicked six conversions and one penalty. SHIRLEY 11: D. King scored a try:. R. Hicks kicked a penalty conversion and field goal. The speed and skill of the Old Boys’ backs stretched the Shirley defence to its limit and when it finally snapped Old Boys scored some delightful tries from hard running and quick passing. It was a bright match. Old Boys set the tone with insistence on back play and Shirley also did its best to use its backs but they never had the speed to escape the cover defence and most orthodox attacks foundered on the solid tackling of M. P. O’Malley and P. A. Hatchwell.

In the first half Old Boys was well on top. Any mistakes by Shirley on defence were capitalised on quickly and when the score was 20-8 at half-time it looked as if Old Boys would have no difficulty in reaching But for most of the second half Shirley played with much more determination. Its forwards drove well and the backs also showed a marked improvement. The Old Boys forwards gave a lively display. Their line-out work and rucking was far better than Shirley’s and they also combined better with their backs. W. Trethowan and T. Mehrtens were an effective insideback combination. Merhten’s adroit passing gave his outside men every opportunity and his running brought him two tries. O'MaHey and Hatchwell were powerful centres and Steel again had many opportunities to use his speed. None of the Shirley backs impressed although Richards was a cool and competent fullback In the forwards E. Veal gave his usual sound display but for most of the match was fighting a lost cause. D. J. Graham was an eager loose forward for Old Boys and D. Hill. M. 3. MHlar and L. Mclntosh were alway prominReferee: Mr A. P. Guernsey.