Forward Strength Of St. Bede’s

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 17

Forward Strength Of St. Bede’s

For all but seven minutes of the game, a try by St. Bede's in the second minute was the only score in the an nual match against St. Andrew’s yesterday. But in the final hectic period, St Bede’s increased its score with a converted try; St. Andrew’s kicked a penalty; St. Bede’s missed a penalty from in front; and only a knock-on stopped a likely St. Andrew’s try by the posts. The final score was a win by 8-3 to St Bede’s. The teams were:— St. Bede’s.—J. A. Fenn: M. 3 O’Reilly. R. Mangos, G. M Connolly: W. M. McKay. C. D. Day: A. P Jones: J. J. Ryan; B. Callanan (captain), G. H. McDonnell. P. A. Parish. G. W Diedrichs; M. L. Burland, K. A Cowan. B. R. Kelly. St. Andrew’s —D. A. McQueen: R. W. Moore. C. R. Regnault, J. A. Mcßae: M S. Moore, D. W Mcßae; K. R Adams: J. R. McKenzie: G. A. King. A. G. Grant. R. W. Hearn (captain), A. E Collins; B D. McMillan. C. D Meurk. G. E Twiss. Superior Forwards

St. Bede's thoroughly deserved to win. Its vey solid pack won most of the tight-heads taken in the match, piled into the rucks with greater vigour than the St. Andrew's forwards, and had an almost embarrassing dominance in the line-outs.

Its superiority was achieved all along the line, otten by skilful tapping back, a method frowned upon by one of the Springbok forwards who was present.

Except for the first few minutes, when St. Bede's found some gaping holes, the defence of the St Andrew's back-line was verv sound, and the St. Bede's backs were unable to make a great impression on attack, although Day displayed a lovely pair of hands and Mangos made a couple of shattering bursts.

The outstanding player for St. Andrew's was the half-back, Adams, a player always on the alert for a dropped pass and the opportunity to turn defence into attack. D. Mcßae was always probing for openings and R. Moore gave a glimpse of his abilities late in the match when he threaded through the defence only for his pass to be knocked on by a forward.

Cowan scored first for St. Bede's when weak tackling let his team pour through the defence. The other try came when a high kick bounced over the St Andrew’s line. Three or four defenders floundered around, all missed it. and McKay, following up in hopefulness, scored. Jones converted. D. Mcßae kicked a penalty goal for St. Andrew’s a minute later. Referee: Mr M. R. Barnett.