Backs Neglected Until Too Late

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31054, 9 May 1966, Page 18

Backs Neglected Until Too Late

ALBION IS: A. J. Phelan and A. C. Harrison tries; Harrison ticked three penalty goals. UNIVERSITY B 14: G. Sinclair two tries; D. P. Gaffikin kicked two penalties and a conversion.

The storming play of the University B forwards and a lead of 11-* promised University a win over Albion at half-time But Albion, deciding that there was little merit in committing Itself to a forward battle, suddenly remembered that its backs had some ability and the quick passing by Albion and its verve on attack brought it a deserved win. There was one dreadful moment for Albion in the last few seconds. A sudden onslaught by the University backs was stopped Inches from the Albion line but the referee, after looking closely at the melee, blew his whistle for flna' time and it was a grateful Albion team that raced off the field.

The University forwards were so dominant tn the first half that the possession they gained from line-outs, scrums and rucks seemed to prove embar rassing for the backs. Insteaof trying to use the back-line the half-back, R. Somerville, and the first five-eighths. I Owen, kept play close to the forwards. Their policy worked, for after 25 minutes of siege of the Albion line. University achieved an 11-6 lead But with a little more adventure to capitalise or the work of the pack, which is the best seen at Lancaster Pari this season. University could have had a handsome lead. But in the second half Albion was much more adventurous, whereas University seemed onlv intent on a policy Of containment. This meant that the University forwards spen' anxious moments chasing after the fleet Albion backs. The Albion backs never made much impression but the* lessened the pressure on their forwards and a good try by Harrison- who was in the back line so much that somethin had to happen sooner or lateand then a match-winning 35 yard penalty by Harrison, gave Albion its one-point margin. University B then realised that its backs were part of the game but it was too late G. Meredith, a most vigorous lock, was the best of the Un:

versify pack but not far behind him was Sinclair whose speec and determination earned him two trie*. M. Beaven. P. Sands and R. Rowlatt were the best of an Albion pack which fought back well.

W. Flewellyn and R. Somerville, the half-backs, had much of the game to themselves as they stalked each other round the scrum. Flewellyn probably won the battle for Somerville gave away four penalties to Flewellyn’s two and the points kicked from these transgressions also gave a lead of three points to Flewellyn.

J. Adams made some darting runs for Albion but the play of the back-Mne nowhere matched Its sparkling displa’ against Old Boys. Phelan, on the day. was outplayed by F Sevele and Newlove and Barrett were well taken care of by the determined University defence. Referee: Mr L. S Kirk.